Central heating systems have come a long way in recent years. However, unless you are moving into a newly built apartment you will probably still have a furnace heating your home. While there is nothing particularly wrong with furnaces, there are some common problems that you should be aware of. This article aims to help you know what to look out for to make sure your furnace stays functioning correctly.
Have You Replaced Your Filter Recently?
One of the most common and frequent issues with furnaces is the filters becoming clogged. Dirty filters stop your furnace from running efficiently. If you don’t replace them for a long time they may even cause some serious damage.
As mentioned on filterbuy.com/resources/the-furnace-filter-size-issue/ finding the right size replacement is not always easy. Sometimes the filter size is not displayed on the filter so you may have to measure it yourself. However, they are all standardized sizes so once you’ve taken your measurements you shouldn’t have too much trouble ordering the right one. It is recommended that you replace your filters every three months, so make sure you always have a spare in the cupboard. Although this is something you must do regularly, it is worth staying on top of it. Clogged-up filters make your furnace run inefficiently which will cost you money, as well as potentially cause expensive damage.
Check Your Thermostat!
Another common problem with furnaces is having a faulty thermostat. You need to make sure that your thermostat is working correctly so that your furnace is doing what you want it to. It’s not much use if your furnace doesn’t know what temperature your home is at! A good way to check if your thermostat is working is to set your furnace to a few different temperatures, from warm to cold, and listen to the fan. If the fan is constantly running regardless of what temperature you set it to then this is a sign your thermostat is broken. This will cause your furnace to run inefficiently as well as wearing down your fan faster too. If you notice that your heating is not on when you expect it to be run the simple test specified above. Make sure you call an engineer to come out as soon as you notice any problems to save yourself from a huge heating bill!
Monitor Your Pilot Light
The thing that seems most archaic and old-fashioned about furnaces is the pilot light. This little flame is constantly on and is used to ignite the gas in your furnace when you turn your heating on. Sounds kind of crazy right? Although this is completely safe, there are a few things you need to be wary of when it comes to pilot lights. Firstly, and most seriously, if you notice that your pilot light is flickering a lot or has turned a yellow colour, turn off your furnace straight away and call a technician. This could be a sign that there is excessive carbon monoxide being produced by your furnace. Carbon monoxide is odorless and extremely harmful to your health so you must keep an eye on your pilot light. If you have just moved house or got a new furnace, make sure you locate where the pilot light is to see if you can check it easily. The second thing to be aware of is that if your heating suddenly shuts off, it might just be that the pilot light has gone out. This can happen occasionally but it is safe to relight it on your own. You might be concerned that when the pilot light goes out that gas is just leaking into your house and relighting would cause an explosion. Thankfully, due to a clever thermocouple valve, as soon as the pilot light goes out the gas supply sent to it turns off. To re-light, you must push a button to manually open the valve, and just like that, your furnace will be back in action.
Out Of The Furnace And Into The Fire
One day in the not-so-distant future, gas furnaces may become obsolete. Until then, it’s worth knowing about some common problems they have. Maintaining your furnace doesn’t have to be too complicated and most of the advice above is easy to follow. However, it is important to remember that these are potentially dangerous and some repairs should only be carried out by a trained professional. It is your responsibility to monitor how your furnace is functioning and to call an engineer if you notice any issues. Regularly replacing filters, checking the pilot light and your thermostat are all things you should do to ensure your furnace’s efficiency and safety.
