It's officially fall and although it's not too chilly yet here in Raleigh, we're gearing up for cold weather. That being said, it's important to have a furnace that is working properly. Unfortunately, that's not always the case and just like any other piece of equipment, your furnace will have problems from time to time. Luckily, a few of these problems are relatively simple to fix on your own, but many of these issues may require an expert's help.

Let's go over some ways you can troubleshoot your own furnace and how to recognize if a problem exists at all! The earlier you notice the warning signs, the better off you’ll be. It’s always better to get a furnace problem taken care of right away than to wait until your furnace stops working completely.

Check Your Thermostat

It’s good to remember that quite often the problems you’re having with your furnace are actually originating with your thermostat. Usually, this is good news, as thermostats are much cheaper and easier to repair and replace than many other parts of your furnace. In fact, even if your furnace isn’t working at all, it may only be the result of a faulty thermostat.

A few things to check on your thermostat:

  • Check your thermostat's batteries. If they're low you can easily replace them yourself!
  • Set your thermostat to "heat" and make sure all of the buttons are working properly when you set your temperature.
  • Sometimes thermostats can get dirty, so you may want to open it up and use an air blower or gently dust the inside and try it again.
  • Make sure your thermostat isn't in an area under direct sunlight, by a space heater, directly under a heat vent, or near an area that is a significantly hotter temperature as this could skew the reading.

Check Your Duct System

Another problem you may start to notice is that one part of your house is being warmed more than another. When this happens, it's a great idea to first check your ducts which may also be that the pressure in your duct system is not balanced properly or it may be covered, leaking, or dirty. 

Some Tips for your Ducts:

  • Make sure none of your ducts or air vents are blocked.
  • Check to see if your ducts are clean.
  • Be sure to check for air leaks or insulation problems with your ducts.

Check Your Furnace Blower and Air Filters

You may also realize that your furnace seems to be cycling on and off too often. When a furnace is working properly, it will come on for a considerable period of time and then shut off until the temperature in the house drops below the desired level. However, some problems can cause your furnace to complete many short cycles rather than completing regular cycles.

If this is happening to your furnace, there are several possible causes. Something might be wrong with the blower on the furnace or the thermostat might not be feeding the furnace the correct information. 

Another possibility is that your furnace’s air filter is dirty or clogged. Be sure to replace your air filter at least every 90 days. If you're having issues and it has been less than 90 days, check anyway and see if maybe it has gotten dirty sooner than expected.

What To Do if Troubleshooting Your Raleigh Home's Furnace Doesn't Help?

While there are sometimes simple and straightforward solutions to these types of common furnace problems, it’s best to call in a professional to have them take a look if you’re not sure where to start searching for a problem. In most cases, you’ll need them to come out and make the necessary furnace repairs anyway.

We provide superior heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration services in Raleigh. If you have furnace or heating problems, call the Comfort Guy of R & S Mechanical at (919) 302-8956 today and we will be happy to help!