When the winter months arrive, the last thing you want to deal with is an improperly operating furnace. In order to ensure that you and your family stay warm during the upcoming winter, we have compiled six easy furnace fixes that you can try before you call in a professional:
- Check your thermostat – If your furnace doesn’t seem to be working correctly, try this first. Make sure the batteries are fresh and that the unit is switched on in the first place. Plus, check the temperature settings.
- Replace the filter – A dirty air filter will greatly reduce your furnace’s efficiency and overall capability to keep you warm. You should replace the filter every one to three months, depending on the type. Check your furnace’s manufacturer recommendations.
- Inspect your circuit breaker – If your furnace isn’t turning on, it’s possible that you’ve tripped the breaker. This is one of those easy and obvious fixes that can go unquestioned until you’ve paid someone to find the problem.
- Check the gas service – You might laugh, but service calls are sometimes this simple, because it’s such an obvious thing that may get overlooked. If the gas has been turned off for whatever reason, it never hurts to check. Or the gas company could have made a mistake and turned off your service.
- Clear out the chimney flue, if needed – You’d be amazed at the kinds of things that clog up your chimney, especially if you haven’t used it in a while. You might find bird’s nests, dead animals, or something as simple as leaves. All of these may harm your system’s efficiency and can be extremely dangerous if carbon monoxide backs up into your home.
- Look for debris around vents – Leaves and grass can get blown around and block furnace vents. If you find any obstructions, be sure to remove them.
If you would like further assistance with furnace fixes, or for questions regarding home comfort, please contact the heating and cooling experts at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. We’ve been serving the needs of Dayton and the surrounding area since 1978.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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