Without furnaces, we’d still be gathering around fires to stay warm in the cold weather. Considering the fact that Calgary experienced bone-chilling weather this month, a malfunctioning furnace couldn’t come at a worse time.
If your furnace isn’t functioning properly or if it isn’t turning on, try these tips to troubleshoot the problem.
Double-Check the Thermostat
The first thing you should do to troubleshoot your furnace, is to make sure the thermostat is set to heat. If it is, make sure the temperature is set to a minimum of five degrees above room temperature. If the thermostat isn’t working, check if it needs new batteries.
Try gently dusting the thermostat after opening it. A soft brush will do the trick. Make sure to dust the contact plates and metal coils.
Moreover, you need to ensure that your thermostat isn’t located some place where it’s getting a false reading. Keep it away from lamps, sunlight, space heaters, ovens, microwave ovens, etc. Heat sources will cause it to read the temperature higher than it actually is and give the wrong output.
Check the Air Filter
If you haven’t cleaned your filter in a while, chances are that its clogged with dust and dirt. A clogged air filter restricts airflow and impacts the quality of indoor air. If not addressed in time, a clogged filter can cause a fire in your home.
You should be checking your air filter every month. If light doesn’t pass through the filter easily when you hold it up to a light source, you should clean it. If cleaning doesn’t fix the issue, you should have it replaced.
See if the Pilot Is On
Turning the pilot light back on is fairly simple, but it’s best you follow the instructions in the owner’s manual. Make sure to turn the gas off for about 15 minutes before relighting the pilot. If despite this, you smell gas, you probably have a leak and should stop immediately. Maintain a safe distance and call the gas company.
Examine the Flames
If the flame burning in your furnace is healthy, it’ll be blue and evenly distributed. It’s normal if there’s a yellowish color at the tip of the flame. Blue means that the fuel is burning efficiently and safely.
If, however, the flame is burning yellow, it might be indicative of dirty burners. They are probably contaminated or have some debris lodged in somewhere.
To clean the burners, use a vacuum cleaner after turning the gas and power off. Clean around the blower as well. If the burner is old and in poor condition, you should consider replacing it with a new one.
If none of these troubleshooting tips fix your issue, you’ll need a professional furnace repair service Calgary.
As an industry-leading HVAC contractors Calgary, we’ve been providing our expertise to home and business owners for over 10 years!
Get in touch with us today for more information or book our servicesonline. Call us at 587-703-2886.
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