When the heating unit develops problems, the first instinct homeowners have is to hire heating service repair professionals. While it’s a safe and wise choice, the chances are that the heating system has a minor problem that you can quickly fix on your own. For you to save money and time, here are some of the things you can do the next time the appliance develops problems:
Check the electrical system
When your system stops working, the first thing you should do is check whether there is a power interruption in your area. If everything is okay, check whether the breaker for the furnace has tripped. If it has, reset it.
It’s common for the circuit to keep on tripping. This happens when there is a severe electrical problem. In such a situation, hire an expert to look into it.
Is the fan running? If it’s not, check the fuse and ensure that the switch is in the ON position. The problem might also be due to a loose electrical connection. Check the connection and burn spots. You can do all of this by yourself, but if you feel uncomfortable doing it, hire a professional to help you out.
Check the thermostat
The thermostat controls the heating appliance. The first thing to do is to check that the thermostat is set to HEAT. Give the fan time to start running and produce heat. If you haven’t been using the heating unit for long, set it to a high temperature such as 80 or 90 degrees. This will prevent the appliance from turning on and off while troubleshooting.
If the furnace is switching on and off too frequently, there might be an error in the thermostat. Check your owner’s manual to verify that you are making the correct adjustments.
You also should check the thermostat batteries and, if possible, replace them. You should only contact a repair professional if you have tried everything within your capabilities without success.
Check the air filters
The primary role of air filters is to clean the air that goes into the furnace and the heated air that circulates in the house. If there are blockages, your energy bills shoot up. The heating system also ends up overworking.
For you to keep the appliance functioning optimally, keep the air filters clean by getting rid of any accumulated dirt and debris. If the filters are too dirty or damaged, replace them. You only need to open up a few screws to the air filters.
Make a habit of inspecting the filters at least once a month and clean or replace them if necessary. When buying the filters, get high-quality ones that not only filter the air better, but also last for long hence saving you a lot of money in the long run.
Keep the vents open
Your furnace has a vent on the outside to get rid of toxic gases. During winter, it’s common for the vents to clog up due to dirt and snow, which prevents the heating system from functioning as effectively as you would want it to.
If you have a modern system, you don’t have to worry about clogging as the system has a safety feature that stops it from working as soon as it clogs up.
If your system doesn’t have this feature, it will continue running, and over time, it will accumulate large amounts of carbon monoxide that is harmful to you and your kids. Do you have an old model furnace? Manually check the vent pipe for any clogging materials and get rid of them.
In the quest for saving energy, some homeowners close the vents of the unused rooms. Don’t do this as it has been shown to damage the system as the closed vents generate a lot of pressure. They also lead to heat build-up and high resistance.
Tune-up the heating system
While you are trying to keep off the furnace service Arlington VA professional, you need to hire him/her at least once a year to inspect the unit and fix any issues that might be there. For you to get the most from the contractor, ensure that he/she is experienced enough to handle the project. The contractor should also be certified to work in your local area.
