How to Troubleshoot Your Furnace

You wake up in the morning to find that the arctic circle has relocated to your living room. In fact, it’s freezing in every room of your home, even though your HVAC system is turned on and was functioning properly just yesterday. So, now what do you do?

 

Step 1: Check the thermostat.

Is it set to “heat” and programmed accordingly? It sounds silly, but you’d be surprised how many times family members tamper with the thermostat and forget to set it back! You may have even knocked the switch from “heat” to “cool” accidentally while dusting it down the day before.

Step 2: Change the batteries.

If your thermostat seems to be set properly, perhaps it’s the power source that’s giving you trouble. If your thermostat is battery operated, try swapping out the old batteries for a new set. If it’s wired, switch your fan to “on.” If it fails to turn on, the problem might be an electrical one.

Step 3: Inspect your filters.

A dirty air filter is the number one cause of a malfunctioning furnace. Fortunately, it’s also a very easy fix. If your filter is clogged, airflow is significantly limited. If you find your filter is dirty, or can’t remember the last time you replaced it, the time to head to the HVAC aisle at your local home improvement store is now.

Step 4: Flip the furnace switch.

A furnace switch is usually located on the unit itself, or on a wall nearby, and often appears as though it’s a regular light switch. That being said, it’s easy for someone to mistake it for one and accidentally switch it off.

Step 5: Look for the light.

If your unit is on the older end of the spectrum, it’s possible that it has a pilot light that’s been put out accidentally. You may also want to check your tank to make sure you have oil/gas available.

If you’ve followed the steps above, but still can’t get your home to heat up, you may have a more serious problem on your hands. Fortunately, if you live in the Fairfield County, CT area, Tyler Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration LLC is available 24/7/365 to help troubleshoot all of your home heating issues with ease.

Looking for a competent, trustworthy HVAC company to help heat your home this winter? Just dial 203-378-4700 to speak to a member of the Tyler Team today!