5 Common Furnace Fiascos, and Their Solutions (Part 1)

Common Furnace Problems, And How To Handle Them

Just as there’s a lot that can go right with your furnace, such as something as simple as it actually turning on, there’s just as much that can go wrong. While you can always reach out to an HVAC contractor in Santa Rosa and Marin County to help you get to the bottom of furnace problems, Next Level HVAC wants to help you help yourself. Here are five common furnace problems, and how you can take care of them. 

​1. The Furnace or Thermostat Doesn’t Seem To Work

​Before you allow dread to fill you at the realization that your furnace or thermostat seems to be on the fritz, check the thermostat. Specifically, make sure it’s actually set to “heat.” Next, check the thermostat’s batteries to ensure they still have some juice. The inside of your thermostat could be clogged, so open it up and gently blow on the inside. A quick breaker check could get you back in action, and so could checking the time and date if you have a programmable thermostat. 

​​2. There’s No Heat Pumping From the Vents

Maybe your furnace turns on and your thermostat works fine, but the problem is there isn’t any heat blowing out your vents. This is another issue where it could be you’ve got a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Pop open the circuit breaker panel and find the furnace circuit. If it’s in the middle, you can flick it to the “on” position, switching it back and forth to test it and determine whether it may trip again. If this doesn’t help, you may need to call either an electrician or an HVAC contractor.

​3. There’s Not Much Heat Blowing From the Vents

So there’s heat coming out the vent, but not enough heat to keep you and your family comfortable. The root of the issue could be your HVAC system’s air filters are clogged or dirty. Regularly cleaning and replacing vents is essential for optimum energy efficiency. Clogged and dirty filters not only block heat from blowing, but they also make your furnace work harder than necessary to reach your desired temperature. When that happens, you’re likely to see higher energy bills, even though it feels as if you haven’t been using your furnace that much.

​4. Your Furnace Isn’t Functioning As Well As It Used To

While it’s true older furnaces don’t work as well as they used to because of their age, there are other contributing factors to consider. For instance, if you’ve allowed clutter to gather around your furnace, it can restrict the appliance’s “breathing.” Clear out the space around your furnace, and get into the habit of cleaning, dusting and vacuuming around your furnace.

​5. Yellow Burner Flames

Your furnace’s flames should burn blue and clear. The presence of yellow flames is a prime indication that your burners need a thorough cleaning, which can be done with a vacuum cleaner. Turn off the gas and burner before you start cleaning around it.
 
Be sure to check back next month for five more common furnace problems and their solutions. Fill out a Next Level HVAC Contact Us form, be sure to like us on Facebook, find us on LinkedIn and sign up for our blog.