What to Check if Your Furnace is Giving You Trouble

Is your furnace causing you headaches instead of cozy warmth? A malfunctioning furnace can quickly turn into a chilly ordeal, leaving you yearning for a solution. Before you panic or start dialling for professional help, it’s worth taking a moment to investigate the issue yourself. Toshack, an HVAC company in Ontario, guides you through the essential steps to troubleshoot your furnace and whether you need furnace repair services.

1. Furnace Filter

 It is important to regularly inspect your furnace filter. When your furnace filter becomes clogged, it can lead to overheating, triggering a safety mechanism that shuts off the furnace. A blocked filter impedes the furnace’s ability to generate and distribute heat effectively. Regularly checking your furnace filter allows you to prevent these issues and ensure the optimal functioning of your heating system. When the filter gets clogged with dust, debris, or other particles, it restricts the airflow, hindering the cooling process of the furnace. As a result, the temperature within the furnace rises, potentially causing overheating.

2. Thermostat

 It is crucial to verify and adjust your thermostat settings correctly, specifically ensuring that it is set to the “heat” mode. If the thermostat is not switched to the appropriate setting, it will fail to signal your furnace to initiate the heating process. To guarantee proper communication between your thermostat and furnace, take a moment to review the thermostat settings regularly. Ensure that the mode is selected as “heat” rather than “cool” or any other setting that might be available.

3. Furnace Switch

It is important to inspect and verify the position of the furnace switch, which is typically located on or near the furnace and resembles a standard light switch. Ensure that the switch is in the “up” or “on” position to activate the furnace. If the switch was previously turned off, allow a few minutes for the furnace to start running after flipping it back on. Locating the furnace switch is the first step in troubleshooting potential heating issues. The switch is responsible for controlling the power supply to the furnace which allows electricity to flow to the furnace, enabling it to operate.

5. Circuit Breaker

It is essential to inspect and assess the circuit breaker associated with your furnace, as it may have tripped and disrupted the power supply. Locate the specific breaker on your home’s electrical panel that corresponds to the furnace. If you find it in the middle or “off” position, resetting it can restore power to the furnace. The circuit breaker serves as a safety mechanism to protect electrical circuits from overloading or short circuits. In the event of an electrical issue, the breaker will trip and automatically cut off the power supply to prevent potential damage or hazards.

Need Furnace Repair? Contact Our Heating & Cooling Contractors for a Quote Today!

Toshack is proud to serve clients all over the Brockville, Smith Falls, and Kingston areas. For furnace repair services and more, contact us today for a quote!