Hello World! Welcome Friends! The furnace is an essential part of your home’s HVAC. If something goes wrong with this unit, the entire system will suffer. Unfortunately, that usually means additional troubles with heating and some unexpected expenses. But, of course, most of these can be prevented by proper furnace maintenance.
Find some handy maintenance tips on the link below:
https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/heating-and-cooling/furnace-maintenance.htm
If you’re worried about spending a lot of money calling a heating repairman to fix your furnace, you can try DIY repairs. These can be as simple as a filter replacement or thermostat check. Still, it’s always good to know when you need professional help.
When It’s Time for Repair
Once you detect the cause of the breakdown, a DIY furnace repair might be easier than you think. In most cases, an actual repair won’t be necessary, as simple cleaning and vacuuming can save the day. But you should check what’s happening if there’s not enough heat to run or the furnace has on and off heating cycles.
Before doing anything, turn on the power and locate the safety switch above the furnace. Next, unscrew two screws to remove the switch and check for any signs of damage. Then, you can check the circuit breaker. Also, pay attention if the fan is running all the time or if you detect odd noises or smells. These are all signs of a furnace malfunction.
Cleaning and Vacuuming
An unpleasant smell from your furnace doesn’t have to mean it’s broken. Many times, it’s just signaling it’s time for cleaning. So if you’re tired of the smell emanating from your gas or electric heater, there are a few simple ways to get rid of it.
Before you start cleaning the interior of your furnace, make sure to turn off the power and gas valve. Then, use a wet/dry vacuum to clear debris inside the unit. Next, remove all doors and compartments that can be removed. Make sure to keep wires and other electric components out of the way.
Don’t forget to vacuum the blower compartment. Dust lingering in the vents can cause a burning smell when the heating unit starts. Also, use a brush to remove excess scale. Accumulated scale and dirt deposits are common causes of furnace failure.
You can also clean the fan blower assembly. This part of your furnace needs regular cleaning and should be wiped dry with a damp cloth. You can also use foil tape to patch holes in the ductwork.
Clean or Replace Filters
Wiping and vacuuming are simple ways to ensure your furnace is working correctly. Still, if that doesn’t help, you should try troubleshooting the problem as soon as possible. That will prevent more severe issues and high repair costs.
Clean the burners every few months, and change your filter regularly. A dirty filter makes your furnace work harder and can cause cold spots. It can also damage the unit’s components and reduce air quality in your home, affecting your health.
So make sure to change the filter in your furnace every one to six months if the cleaning doesn’t help. That’s also the perfect moment to replace the door that covers the filter compartments. It’s a simple task that’s often overlooked but vital to perform when doing a DIY furnace repair.
Thermostat Issues
When trying to fix a broken furnace yourself, the thermostat is one of the first things to check. Quite often, it’s set incorrectly. If you’re unsure how to change settings, you can check the owner’s manual for the unit or look it up online. Both manual and electronic models have instructions on how to fix them.
Most thermostats work on batteries, but some are wired directly to the house’s electrical system. To check your thermostat’s battery life, open the box and look for debris. If the thermostat is an electronic one, look for damaged wirings.
Changing batteries or resetting a thermostat are simple tasks. But if these don’t help, it’s time for repair. Or it’s simply a time for a new one. If in a hurry, you can replace the thermostat all alone, but it’s always better to leave that to professional furnace repair in Freedom Indiana, and have peace of mind.
Pilot Light Re-Lighting
A pilot light is a simple device showing the furnace is on. Simply put, it’s a flame that lights whenever you turn the gas on. You can usually find it at the unit’s bottom. The common problem with this piece is frequent going out, but you can solve it quickly.
If you’ve noticed that your pilot light has died, the next step is to re-light it. But don’t start anything before turning the gas off and waiting for it to clear up. Turn the ‘pilot’ option on your gas valve. Use an extended lighter to light the pilot, and wait a minute or two until the flame becomes intense. Turn the gas valve on and close the compartment.
Re-lighting will return the gas flow to the heating unit and help you maintain the desired temperature. Repeat the procedure until you see a steady, yellow flame. But if you can’t get the pilot light to stay lit, you can call a heating technician to inspect your HVAC.
Faulty Blower Belt
A loose blower belt can interfere with air blowing, so it should be replaced when it deflects more than 3/4 inches. But make sure to get the proper replacement by checking the serial number of the existing belt.
The procedure is relatively simple – turn the power and gas off and access the fan. Put the belt on the pulleys by rotating them first. It should slip into the place with ease. Finally, make necessary motor mount adjustments and lubricate the circuit.
Before you call an HVAC technician, try a few DIY repairs. That can save money and help you solve your heating problem quickly. But don’t mess up with risky things such as wirings or gas leaks. If you can’t solve the problem alone, savings are usually not worth of the risk.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
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