Furnace Repair Checklist
1. Inspect the Thermostat
To start, make sure your thermostat is telling your heat to ignite.
Digital Thermostat
- Change the batteries if the screen is not displaying anything. If the digital screen is scrambled, the thermostat could need to be swapped out.
- Ensure the switch is switched to “heat” as opposed to “off” or “cool.”
- Make certain the program is showing the correct day and time and is set to “run.” If you’re having a hard time getting out of the schedule, adjust the temperature by using the up/down arrows and using the “hold” button. This will cause the furnace to turn on if thermostat is causing trouble.
- Turn the temperature setting to 5 degrees above the room temperature.
If your heat hasn’t turned on within a couple minutes, make sure it has juice by moving the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the fan doesn’t start, your heating system could be without power.
Smart Thermostat
If you have a smart thermostat—such as one designed by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch—troubleshooting is very model-specific. Check the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you aren’t able to get your Wi-Fi thermostat to function, call us at 772-247-2283 for heating and cooling service.
2. Check Breakers and Switches
Next, verify your breaker and furnace switch are on.
- Locate your main electrical panel. If you don’t know where it is, keep an eye out for a silver metal box in your basement, garage or closet.
- Ensure your hands and feet are dry in advance of touching the panel or breakers.
- Locate the breaker titled “furnace” or “heat,” and double-check it’s reading “on.” If you find that the breaker tripped, it will be in the middle or “off” area.
- With one hand, steadily turn the breaker to the “on” position. If the breaker trips right away and pops back to “off,” don't try to reset it and call an expert from Custom Air Systems Inc at 772-247-2283 quickly.
No matter your furnace’s age or brand, it has at minimum one ordinary wall switch situated on or near it.
- Ensure the lever is flipped up in the “on” placement. If it was shut off, it could take your furnace up to five minutes to start. (If you’re unsure where your furnace is located, check your basement, garage or utility closet. It might also be in a crawl space or attic.)
3. Buy a New Air Filter
When it comes to furnace problems, a filthy, blocked air filter is regularly to blame.
If your filter is too dusty:
- Your furnace won’t be able to stay on, or it might get too warm from limited airflow.
- Your gas expenses might be higher because your furnace is operating more often.
- Your heat might stop working prematurely since a dirty filter triggers it to work overtime.
- Your heater might lose power if an excessively clogged filter results in a tripped breaker.
Based on what make of heating system you own, your air filter is located in the interior of the blower compartment of your heater, an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
To swap out your filter:
- Turn off your furnace.
- Take out the filter and hold it up to the light. If you can’t notice light through it, use a new one.
- Put in the new filter with the arrow pointing toward the furnace to prevent 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 could have to replace your filter more often.
To make the procedure easier down the line, write with a permanent marker on your furnace outside or ductwork to list the airflow direction and filter size.
4. Look at the Condensate Pan
Commonly known as drain pans, condensate pans hold liquid your heater pulls from the air.
If water is leaking from within your heater or its pan has too much water in it, use these guidelines.
- If your pan has a drain (look for a PVC pipe), make sure that it’s clear. If it should be drained, get a special pan-cleaning tablet you can get at home improvement or hardware retailers.
- If your pan uses a pump, check the float switch. If the lever is stuck “up” with standing water in the pan, reach us at 772-247-2283, because you will likely have to install a new pump.
5. Check for Furnace Error Codes
If malfunctions keep on happening, look inside your heating system’s plastic window to verify the blower motor’s status. Dependent on the brand, the light might also be fixed on the outside of your heating system.
If you note anything except a solid, colored light or twinkling green light, contact us at 772-247-2283 for HVAC service. Your heater may be giving an error code that needs expert service.
6. Clean the Flame Sensor
If your heater tries to run but switches off without putting out warmth, a grimy flame sensor can be at fault. When this happens, your heater will attempt to turn on three times before a safety device shuts it down for approximately an hour.
If you feel comfortable with opening up your furnace, cleaning your flame sensor is work you are able to do yourself. Or, one of our heating service specialists is able to do it for you.
If you want to clean the sensor on your own, you require:
- A 1/4” hex screwdriver or wrench
- Portion of light grit sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth
- A fresh paper towel
Then:
- Turn off the heating system’s power through its wall switch or breaker. If you don’t have an electric gas valve, you will need to turn off the gas as well.
- Lift off the heating system’s front panel and trace the wire to the flame sensor.
- Remove the rod and use your sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth to gently clean the metal rod.
- Clean the rod with a paper towel.
- Screw the sensor back in.
- Put the furnace doors back on.
- Switch the furnace’s power back on. It could go through a sequence of tests before resuming regular operation. If your heating system doesn’t start, the sensor might have to be replaced or something else might be creating an issue. If this occurs, get in touch with us at 772-247-2283 for heating and cooling repair help.
7. Light the Pilot Light
If you own an aging heating system, the pilot light could be out. To relight it, look for the steps on a sticker on your furnace, or follow these recommendations.
- Locate the switch below your heating system marked “pilot,” “on” and “off.”
- Turn the switch to the “off” position.
- Take a break for at least five minutes to prevent sparking a fire.
- Turn the dial to “pilot.”
- Hold down the “reset” lever as you push the flame of a long lighter to the pilot light opening.
- Depress the “reset” button once the pilot light is ignited.
If you have used the instructions twice and the pilot light still won’t burn or stay lit, contact us at 772-247-2283 for furnace service.
Examine Your Fuel Delivery System
Try turning on a second gas appliance. If it doesn’t work, your natural gas delivery might be shut off, or you might have run out of propane.