DIY Furnace Repair
DIY Furnace Repair may sound scary, but we have created a guide that will help you solve basic furnace problems yourself. That way, you don’t have to rely on a professional each time your furnace gives out.
DIY Furnace Repair Tips Just for You
1. Is the Thermostat On?
Some people complain about the heating not working, without even checking to see if the thermostat is on or not. Therefore, the first step to ensure your furnace is actually functioning is to make sure that the heat is on. Here are some checks you can do on the thermostat yourself:
- Step 1: First, you need to see how the thermostat is powered. Some homes have a thermostat that is wired to the home’s electrical system, while others use batteries. If your thermostat uses batteries, make sure they are functioning because they may need to be replaced.
- Step 2: Try cleaning your thermostat once in a while. To do this, you need to first open it then blow and dust off any debris.
- Step 3: Check the fuse for the furnace to make sure that works too. To do this, you need to go into the breaker and turn it off and on.
2. Resetting the Home Circuit Breaker When the Furnace Isn’t Heating Properly
Sometimes the circuit breaker of the home trips or fuses which results in the furnace not working. Here is how you can test it.
- Step 1: Go to the circuit breaker of your home and see whether any of the switches are in the off position or in the middle.
- Step 2: Turn the breaker off then on.
- Step 3: Make sure all the switches on the breaker are on.
Doing this will reset the breaker.
3. Changing the Filter When the Furnace Doesn’t Provide Enough Heat
Your furnace can be on and working but not necessarily producing enough heat. This is usually due to the air filter being clogged and can easily be taken care of on your own.
- Step 1: You need to find the filter. It should either be inside the furnace or the intake of it.
- Step 2: To test if the filter needs to be changed or not, you can hold it up against a light. If you see light coming through, that means it is fine. If there is no light coming through, it means that dust and debris cover the filter and it needs to be changed.
- Step 3: Put in a new filter. There should be an arrow on it, letting you know which side goes in first.
You can also opt to clean the filter but it is important that you replace an old filter with a new one every couple of months when the furnace is in use.
4. Check the Pilot Control of the Furnace
The ignition switch plays a vital role in whether the furnace functions or not. A faulty switch can lead to the furnace not providing enough heat to keep your home warm.
- Step 1: Reset the ignition by turning the power of the furnace off and the on again.
- Step 2: Turn the furnace off and make sure the gas is also off. You need to inspect the heating element of it to see whether it has cracks or any other damage. But make sure not to touch it. If you find any damage, it means the igniter needs to be replaced.
- Step 3: To determine how to change the igniter, you should check the manual of the furnace since it varies from one to another.
DIY Furnace Repair isn’t so Scary after all!
When it comes to gas furnace repair, you can do some repairs on your own. However, it is best to consult a heating contractor in Sacramento at Clarke & Rush. We are the most trusted heater repair company in Sacramento. We do not pay our repair technicians on commission like most HVAC contractor companies in Sacramento, so you can count on honest estimates and fair pricing.
