It’s unexpected and you wake up in the middle of the night shivering and feeling cold. If this is the case, you might need to check something with your furnace. Old appliances break down a lot unexpectedly and if you’re in this situation, an expert HVAC technician can help you get back on track in no time.
On some occasions, all the homeowners need to do is to turn on the thermostat and make sure that the heat is on. Before calling the experts, do some troubleshooting ourself and set the remote on the heat setting. People who call the professionals usually miss this step but not you, right?
Checking and Assessing your Appliance
When the heat is not enough during winter, check the thermostat’s battery. It’s surprising what a battery replacement can do and this is done once a year. Models may vary but expect to change them at least once a year especially if they’ve begin flashing red lights. Modern appliances have remote controls connected to the home’s wiring and electricity and if you’re in doubt, call an HVAC company for more information.
Clean dust and debris that might be blocking the thermostat. Set the timer and the date right especially with the brands that allow these programs. Turn on the breaker and reset it with these steps here or see if there’s a problem with the fuse.
Burner Flames Might Be Flawed
Failures often attributed to the burners will mean dirt and debris. Inspect them and see if the flames come clean. Blue fire means that they are okay and yellow colors mean that the dirt is present. Before winter sets in, thorough cleaning and maintenance should be done on the burners. The experts will be able to remove the soot, advice if the parts needed replacement and make sure that you’ll get warm even in the coldest of days.
Flame Sensor Issues
Safety features like flame sensors help the residents be safer when using heating appliances. When the gas valves stop, the gas will stop immediately and this will prevent leaks. However, the regular fire exposure of the valves will mean that they collect burned wood or dirt in no time. When it isn’t able to recognize that you’ve lit the flames of the furnace, the entire appliance will stop working and you’ll have problems. Avoiding this will mean that an annual tune-up and cleaning should be in order with the right technician.
What to Do when Not Enough Heat is Produced?
Even if the settings say that the furnace is set to heat, adjust the dial to the maximum setting and see if it increases the temperature. Try to feel if there are changes and if there’s not, a furnace repair should be in order. Call the experts first thing in the morning and see their assessments.
Cleaning the HVAC System
Maintenance and cleaning should be done at least twice a year for both air conditioning and heating systems. Professionals will check the ductwork to see if there’s an accumulation of dust and debris. Afterwards, they will do the vacuuming, washing, and dusting so homeowners will get fresher air.
Knowing if it’s the right time to clean will mean checking the filters and see if there’s dust coming out. When the amount of air is not enough, this is a sign that there’s an issue with the HVAC. Get help from the technicians to make sure that you have enough air in your home to heat your surroundings.
Cluttered Surroundings
Appliances can’t function when there’s clutter around them. Keep everything clean even if you’re busy. Clear basements and repair the wirings if needed. Without noticing the gradual accumulation of stuff, many owners might notice that some rooms of their homes are becoming full of paint cans, unused furniture, old books, newspaper clippings, and dusty clothes. If you notice that you’re not getting a lot of heat from the furnace that’s located in an unused area of the house, it’s time to see whether a spring clean is in order or not.
The convenience of putting things away at the basement might seem alluring. However, some items near a furnace can become dangerous. Never push your luck and put the appliance in a room where it will be safe even from pets and small children.
Do vacuuming on the floors where your HVAC is and sweeping will also be helpful. Remove pieces of paper, lighters, and other flammables around the area. When lint begins to pile up, it will be considered a fire hazard that you can know more about in this link: https://www.safeopedia.com/definition/739/fire-hazards. The sooner you clean and store some stuff away from the furnace, the safer your home will be.
With the right technicians, you will never have to feel the sharp bite of a winter morning. They will know what to do and they have the right tools to make repairs. Call the ones that have certifications and experience so you will be in good hands.
