Furnace Repair Like a Pro
A furnace is reliable, durable and easy to maintain. Yet, as with any appliances, it also breaks down due to frequent use or poor maintenance. Fret not because furnace repair is simple and can be done by own. This saves money and makes furnace heat sooner because homeowners do not have to wait for the furnace repair technician.
A furnace refers to a heating system based on central boiler or heater. Homes and industrial plants install this for warmth, metal extraction or chemical reactions triggered by heat among others. This article will focus on furnace at homes and how a homeowner can furnace repair like a pro.
Furnace Repair
A furnace installed at home warms the indoors by heating air and distributing it through ducts. It is usually fueled by gas, oil, coal, wood or electricity. Before going to basic furnace repair, here are some guidelines reducing the chances of furnace breakdown and making furnace repair safer and easier.
Furnace Repair Guidelines
Regular maintenance always saves money, reduces stress and damages resulting to major furnace repair. It also lengthens the life of the furnace and saves energy resulting to low electricity bills.
Replace the thermostat with a digital thermostat. It saves more energy as it automatically adjusts the temperature when homeowners are home and save energy when not.
Change the filter at least every month. A digital thermostat would help by reminding homeowners the changing dates. Also, clean the blower and other accessible parts every few months to keep dust from accumulating.
Check the outside vents and chimneys. Snow, leaves, nests and litters should not block them. Any blockage could cause carbon monoxide risks. Also check the pipes for leaks and separation.
Turn off the furnace power before furnace repair. The motor might start during the furnace repair if left turned on.
Also, turn off the fuel supply before furnace repair. Changing the filter is the only exception. Make sure to be familiar with relighting the pilot light before turning the fuel supply off.
If furnace still breaks despite the maintenance, some knowledge on basic furnace repair and do-it-yourself skills could fix it without added costs and hassles of calling a furnace repair technician.
The following are the most common furnace issues and ways to fix it. If the problem is too complicated or still persists, call a furnace repair technician.
Leaking Gas
This should be addressed immediately. The leak is signaled by gas odor smelled near the furnace or throughout the house. Evacuate if the odor is too strong and do not return until safe. Avoid lighting matches and turning switches on or off. Have the gas supply valve by the gas meter on the gas inlet pipe turned off. With a wrench, rotate the valve by a quarter. The valve’s oval stem and inlet pipe would be perpendicular to each other. For assistance, call the fire department or the gas utility through cell phone or neighbor’s phone.
Unstable Pilot Light
Pilot light turns off when the flame is set too low or the orifice is clogged. Do a furnace repair by adjusting the setting to increase the flame or poking a thin wire to the orifice to clear it from ashes and debris. Turn the gas supply and circuit breaker off before unclogging.
Not Enough Heat
Perform a furnace repair by checking if nothing blocks the flow of warm air. Set the thermostat properly or raise the temperature to 5o and wait for few minutes. Make sure the heating registers open and filters clean. Replace any dirty filters. If nothing works, call a furnace repair technician. The blower is probably broken or system is imbalanced.
No Heat
A busted circuit breaker or fuse, malfunctioning thermostat or overloaded motor might cause this. Perform a furnace repair by making sure both the circuit breaker and fuse is not busted. If it is, reset it by turning it off and on again or replace the fuse. If it busts again, a short in the circuit might be the problem. Call an electrician in this case.
Also make sure the switch is on and the thermostat is not malfunctioning. Adjust the thermostat above room temperature or set it to “Heat” if it is both a heating or cooling system. If the motor is overloaded, cool and reset it. Search and press the “Reset” button near the housing of the blower motor. If nothing happens, repeat after few minutes. If nothing works, call a furnace repair technician.
No Flame Ignition
Perform a furnace repair by checking if the gas pipe valve is on for gas furnace. The handle or lug should be aligned with the gas pipe. Check the fuel supply for oil furnace.
Reset the ignition control through turning down the thermostat or the power off and on again for electronic furnace. Also make sure the pilot light is lit. Check the manual or the instruction in the furnace cabinet for lighting procedures. Usually, it is by turning the gas valve off, waiting couple of minutes after, turning it to “Pilot”, holding it while lighting the flame, releasing it after a minute and tuning it on. If nothing works, call a furnace repair technician.
Often On and Off Cycle
The furnace is overheated due to clogged filter or malfunctioning blower. Furnace repair by cleaning or replacing the filter. Call a furnace repair technician if this did not work.
No Air Even Blower Motor is Running
The belt connecting the motor and blower might be broken. Replace it. Turn the power and gas supply off first. Detach the door of the front furnace cabinet and access the blower. Look for the belt’s number stamp and buy the replacement with the exact number stamp from a home center.
Furnace Repair Tips
Troubleshooting why a gas furnace will not start. This video will show you how to systematically check HVAC components.
Once bought, do the furnace repair by slipping the new belt first on the pulley of the motor – the smaller one, then slip it next to the pulley of the blower – the larger one by rotating the blower pulley while holding the belt in place. Be sure not to get the fingers caught in the belt or pulley.
The belt should not be too tight or too loose. Adjust the mount of the motor then tighten when already in place. Look for the manufacturer’s guide for the right tension. Usually, the belt should bend at least an inch when pressed down.
Lastly, oil fans, its motors and bearings according to manual and manufacturer’s specifications if necessary.
Blower Keeps On Running
The limit switch or thermostat is malfunctioning. Limit switch automatically shuts off the furnace if air gets too hot. It is found beneath the plenum, the box distributing heated air-to-air ducts.
See if the “Fan” switch of the thermostat is on. If it is, turn it off or automatic. If it is automatic, have a furnace repair technician adjust the limit switch. A homeowner could also do it by following the manual. Do the furnace repair by resetting the pointers on the limit control’s fan side. The lower pointer is 90oF while the upper is 115oF.
Noisy Air Handler
Noise happens when the belt connecting the fan and motor has slipped. Perform a furnace repair by placing the belt back to the pulleys, and making sure it is properly aligned and the tension is just right. Replace if belt is worn out. Follow the instructions in the manual for the procedure.
Turn off the furnace and call a furnace repair technician if the noise comes from the blower. Probably, the bearings of the motor are shot.
Rattling Cabinet
Do the furnace repair by making sure the screws on the cover panels are tight. Tighten if loose. Also check if belt is still aligned.
Performing furnace repair on your own is practical. It spares homeowners from spending extra cash to pay for a furnace repair technician and prolonged suffering to the cold or any furnace issues by addressing the problem soon instead of waiting for the furnace repair technician.
But keep in mind, there are things that should be done only by professional furnace repair technicians. Such includes fixing transformers, power circuits, heating relays and elements, and any other major furnace repair. It is just good to be aware of the basic and minor furnace repair procedures to keep the home’s cozy atmosphere without spending a lot.
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