Furnace Repair Checklist
1. Check the Thermostat
First, ensure your thermostat is instructing your heater to ignite.
Digital Thermostat
- Replace the batteries if the screen is blank. If the digital screen is scrambled, the thermostat could need to be changed.
- Make certain that the control is on “heat” rather than “off” or “cool.”
- Make certain the program is displaying the correct day and time and is scheduled to “run.” If you’re having a hard time turning off the program, adjust the temperature by utilizing the up/down arrows and holding the “hold” button. This will cause the furnace to start if thermostat is causing a problem.
- Increase the temperature setting to 5 degrees above the room temperature.
If your furnace hasn’t started within a few minutes, make sure it has power by moving the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the fan doesn’t start, your furnace could be without power.
Smart Thermostat
If you use a smart thermostat—such as one designed by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch—troubleshooting will be determined by the model you have. Take a look at the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you’re still unable to get your Wi-Fi thermostat to work, reach us at 435-753-5515 for heating and cooling service.
2. Inspect Breakers and Switches
Next, verify your breaker and furnace switch are on.
- Look for your main electrical panel. If you aren’t sure where it is, search for a silver metal box in your basement, garage or closet.
- Make certain that your hands and feet aren’t moist prior to touching the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker marked “furnace” or “heat,” and make sure it’s turned “on.” If you find that the breaker tripped, it will be in the middle or “off” position.
- With one hand, firmly turn the breaker to the “on” position. If the breaker immediately trips and pops back to “off,” don't try to reset it and contact a professional from Western Mechanical, Inc. at 435-753-5515 immediately.
No matter your furnace’s age or brand, it has at least one ordinary wall switch placed on or by it.
- Ensure the control is moved up in the “on” placement. If it was switched off, anticipate your furnace could take up to five minutes to turn on. (If you don’t know where your furnace is located, look in your basement, garage or utility closet. It can also be in a crawl space or attic.)
3. Put in a New Air Filter
When we consider furnace breakdowns, a filthy, clogged air filter is regularly the top culprit.
If your filter is too dusty:
- Your heater won’t stay on, or it may get too hot from reduced airflow.
- Your gas bills could increase because your furnace is turning on more than it should.
- Your heat may break down prematurely due to the fact a dusty filter triggers it to work harder.
- Your heating may be disconnected from power if an extremely filthy filter results in a tripped breaker.
Depending on what make of furnace you own, your air filter is located within the blower compartment of your heater, an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
To put in a new filter:
- Turn off your heating system.
- Pull out the filter and angle it toward the light. If you can’t view light through it, use a new one.
- Insert the new filter with the arrow pointing toward the furnace to avoid damage.
Flat filters need to be replaced once a month, while pleated filters should last about three months. If you have children or pets, you might have to put in a new filter more frequently.
To make the process easier in the future, write with a permanent pen on your heating system housing or ductwork to show the airflow direction and filter size.
4. Check the Condensate Pan
Otherwise known as drain pans, condensate pans hold liquid your furnace removes from the air.
If moisture is leaking out of your furnace or its pan is overflowing, follow these guidelines.
- If your pan has a drain (look for a PVC pipe), check that it’s clear. If it needs to be drained, use a special pan-cleaning tablet you can purchase at home improvement or hardware shops.
- If your pan contains a pump, take a look at the float switch. If the lever can’t be moved from the “up” position with water in the pan, contact us at 435-753-5515, because you will possibly have to get a new pump.
5. Watch for Heating Error Codes
If failures persist, look at your heater’s plastic window to confirm the blower motor’s status. Subject to the brand, the light may also be fixed on the surface of your heater.
If you notice anything else besides an uninterrupted, colored light or flickering green light, contact us at 435-753-5515 for HVAC service. Your heater may be communicating an error code that requires specialized assistance.
6. Brush off the Flame Sensor
If your heater makes an effort to run but switches off without putting out heated air, a grimy flame sensor could be at fault. When this occurs, your heater will try to start three times before a safety feature shuts it down for approximately an hour.
If you feel confident with taking the panels off your heating system, gently scrubbing your flame sensor is a task you have the ability to do personally. Or, one of our heating service experts can finish it for you.
If you are fine with cleaning the sensor yourself, you require:
- A 1/4” hex screwdriver or wrench
- Bit of light grit sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth
- A fresh paper towel
As the next step:
- Disable the heater’s power by using its wall switch or breaker. If you don’t have an electric gas valve, you must switch off the gas along with it.
- Take off the heater’s front panel and track the wire to the flame sensor.
- Take off the rod and use your sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth to carefully clean the metal rod.
- Wipe off the rod with a paper towel.
- Put the sensor back in.
- Put the furnace doors back on.
- Switch the furnace’s power back on. It may proceed through a sequence of tests before continuing normal running. If your heater doesn’t turn on, the sensor might have to be replaced or something else might be causing a problem. If this takes place, contact us at 435-753-5515 for heating and cooling repair assistance.
7. Reignite the Pilot Light
If you are using an outdated heating system, the pilot light could be extinguished. To light it, locate the instructions on a sheet on your heater, or try these steps.
- Find the lever below your heater that says “pilot,” “on” and “off.”
- Move the switch to the “off” position.
- Don’t do anything for at least five minutes to prevent sparking a fire.
- Turn the knob to “pilot.”
- Hold down the “reset” switch as you move the flame of a long lighter to the pilot light opening.
- Depress the “reset” lever once the pilot light is burning.
If you have gone through the guide twice and the pilot light still won’t light or stay lit, contact us at 435-753-5515 for furnace service.
Examine Your Energy Delivery System
Try switching on an additional gas appliance. If it doesn’t function, your natural gas service might be shut off, or you could be out of propane.