Don’t panic. If you’re reading this, chances are you think something major is wrong with your furnace because it’s not working correctly, or worse--it stopped working altogether.
However, it may be that the underlying cause of your problem is something minor, which can easily be fixed.
Here are the top three problems people in the Atlanta area have with their furnaces and the problems’ possible causes. (Some of them can be solved on your own, but several require a professional to fix them.)
Problem: “My furnace isn’t heating!”
Possible causes:
- Thermostat issues – Make sure it’s switched to “heat,” and the temperature is set at least 5 degrees above than the room temperature. If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure the batteries aren’t dead.
- Circuit breaker issues – Check your circuit breaker to see if it’s tripped or blown. This will keep your furnace from working. Flip the switch to turn the furnace back on or replace the fuse.
- Pilot light issues – Check to see if your furnace pilot light has gone out. A pilot light can go out for a number of reasons including a clogged pilot opening or no gas due to a closed valve. Try to light the pilot flame again. If that doesn’t work, other possible causes require a professional.
Problem: “My furnace never gives me enough heat!”
Possible causes:
- Dirty air filter – Too much dust, pet hair and other debris in the furnace’s air filter blocks the flow of heated air from your furnace. This keeps your furnace from delivering enough hot air to properly heat your home. Change your air filter every one to three months, depending how much you use it.
- Leaky ducts – Cracks or improperly sealed ductwork allow the warmed air from your furnace to escape. This creates “cold spots” in your home. Get these leaks sealed by a professional.
Problem: “My energy bills are way too high during winter!”
Possible causes:
- Neglecting furnace maintenance – Just because your furnace is working, does not mean it’s working as efficiently as it could. A well-tuned furnace uses less energy. And therefore, it saves you more money. Get your furnace checked once a year. The tune-up will quickly pay for itself.
- Furnace is at the end of it’s life – We know this isn’t minor, and we apologize, but every furnace comes to the end of it’s rope eventually. A typical gas furnace lives about 18 years. And when it gets to the end of these 18 years, it becomes less energy efficient. So, if yours is around that age, it might be time to upgrade to a more energy efficient model.
Remember, don’t get in over your head. Only by solving the problems you’re confident you can solve yourself.
For all other furnace problems in the Atlanta area, contact Ragsdale. We’ll get your furnace up and running in no time.
