What to Do If Your Furnace Stops Working
Is your furnace acting funny? Home heating in Minnesota is no laughing matter — if your furnace has stopped working and you need to know what to do or fix to make things comfortable again, you’re in the right place.
So, what should you do if your furnace stops working? Step one is to identify the symptoms and find the source of the issue. Depending on the symptoms, the issue might be as simple as dust build-up or as complicated as a complete breakdown. Let’s start by looking at the most common signs your furnace is struggling — along the way we’ll cover what can be done to fix what’s wrong.
Uneven Heating
If your furnace provides very little heat when it’s running, there are a few steps you can take to fix the issue:
- Verify that nothing is blocking the airflow.
- Make sure the thermostat is set to “heat.” Try raising the temperature five degrees and wait a few minutes to see if it improves.
- Put in a new filter if it’s time for a replacement.
Out-of-date filters are one of the most easily avoidable furnace issues our technicians face on the job. Keep yours regularly changed in order to maximize performance and minimize risk of breakdown.
No Heat
Have you ever noticed the heat doesn’t come on evenly when adjusting the temperature on your thermostat? You could be facing a thermostat malfunction or a tripped circuit breaker — or your pilot light might have gone out. Here’s what you can do if your furnace’s heat stops working:
- Check that the circuit breaker is on and that the fuse has not blown.
- If the circuit is blown or tripped, reset the breaker by turning it all the way off and back on.
- If necessary, replace the fuse.
- Make sure the power to the furnace is on.
- With a gas furnace, light the pilot light if it went out and verify that the gas valve is on. Be sure to check the furnace’s ignition as well.
If there still isn’t any heat, the thermostat may be faulty. Minnesota winters can be quite harsh, so this type of breakdown can become dangerous if not addressed quickly. If you’re ever wondering who can fix your furnace in an emergency whenever you need it — 24/7, 365 — the answer is Sedgwick. Our emergency furnace repair helpline is always running no matter the time of day or night.
Furnace Is Turning Off and On
This is more than likely due to an issue with the thermostat. There is a small lever on your thermostat (not the heat adjustment lever) — this is your heat anticipator. If your furnace is going off and on too often, set your anticipator closer to the “longer” setting.
You may not see the heat improve for a couple of hours. Wait for a bit, then readjust if necessary.
Funny Noises
Heating ducts can expand or contract as they heat up and cool down, so there are plenty of noises that don’t indicate a need to fix your furnace. However, there are a few that always require a closer look:
- Rattling: If your furnace cabinet is making a rattling noise whenever it runs, this is likely due to loose cover panels. Be sure they’re all screwed on nice and tight.
- Squealing: These sounds occur when the belt that connects the motor to the fan slips. This is something that can be fixed by either tightening the motor mount or replacing the worn-out belt. You can tighten the belt by removing the access panel, loosening the bolts that keep the blower motor at the correct tension, and either adjusting the distance or realigning the belt. Be sure to check your instruction manual before making any adjustments.
When making repairs on your own, make sure you don’t mess with any internal components that aren’t necessary. This can cause unintentional damage and lead to unnecessary and costly repairs.
Should You Replace or Repair Your Own Furnace?
If you find that your furnace is not responding to your repairs or that a part needs replacing, you may be wondering, “who can fix my furnace?” Your safest choice is to call a repair technician. A trained expert will know what to do if your furnace stops working. Not only will they be able to assess the problem and fix it properly, but will also be able to audit your HVAC system and make recommendations for how to keep your heating and cooling running long term.
For further information on what to do if your furnace stops working or to schedule an appointment with a repair technician, contact the experts at Sedgwick today!