Furnace Repair in Middle Georgia, GA

1. Check the Thermostat

To begin, ensure your thermostat is instructing your furnace to turn on.

Digital Thermostat

• Change the batteries if the screen is not displaying anything. If the digital monitor is mixed up, the thermostat could need to be changed.
• Make sure the switch is set to “heat” as opposed to “off” or “cool.”
• Make sure the program is set to the appropriate day and time and is scheduled to “run.” If you’re having a hard time getting out of the setting, adjust the temperature by utilizing the up/down arrows and using the “hold” button. This will cause the furnace to turn on if thermostat is causing a problem.
• Set the temperature setting to 5 degrees warmer than the room temperature.

If your furnace hasn’t turned on within several minutes, make sure it has juice by toggling the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the fan doesn’t begin to run, your heating system could be without power.

Smart Thermostat

If you have a smart thermostat—like one designed by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch—troubleshooting will be determined by the model you have. Take a look at the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you’re still unable to get your Wi-Fi thermostat to operate, contact us at 478-200-5689 for heating and cooling service.

2. Inspect Breakers and Switches

Next, verify your breaker and furnace switch are on.

• Locate your main electrical panel. If you don’t know where it is, search for a silver metal box in your basement, garage or closet.
• Make certain that your hands and feet aren’t wet before opening the panel or breakers.
• Find the breaker titled “furnace” or “heat,” and double-check it’s turned “on.” If you find that the breaker tripped, it will be in the middle or “off” area.
• With one hand, quickly flip the breaker to the “on” position. If the breaker trips right away and pops back to “off,” don't try to reset it and contact a professional from Air Concepts of Middle Georgia at 478-200-5689 immediately.

No matter your furnace’s age or brand, it has at least one regular wall switch set on or close to it.

• Make certain the switch is facing up in the “on” placement. If it was shut off, it could take your furnace up to five minutes to ignite. (If you’re unsure where your furnace is located, check your basement, garage or utility closet. It could also be in a crawl space or attic.)

3. Get a New Air Filter

When we think about furnace issues, a filthy, clogged air filter is frequently to blame.

If your filter is too grungy:

• Your heat won’t keep heating your home, or it may get too hot from restricted airflow.
• Your utility costs could be higher because your furnace is turning on more than it should.
• Your heat may fail sooner than it should since a dusty filter triggers it to work overtime.
• Your heater might lose power if an extremely dirty filter causes the breaker to trip.

While it depends on what type of heater you use, your air filter will be in the interior of the blower compartment of your furnace, an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.

To replace your filter:

• Cut the power to your heater.
• Remove the filter and tilt it toward the light. If you can’t view light through it, replace it.
• Insert the new filter with the arrow motioning toward the furnace to keep damage from happening.

Flat filters need to be replaced once a month, while pleated filters should last about three months. If you have children or pets, you may have to put in a new filter sooner.

To make the procedure smoother down the road, draw with a permanent pen on your heater exterior or ductwork to indicate the airflow direction and filter size.

4. Check the Condensate Pan

Commonly known as drain pans, condensate pans catch liquid your heating system pulls from the air.

If moisture is leaking from within your furnace or its pan has standing water in it, use these steps.

• If your pan has a drain (look for a PVC pipe), double-check that it’s clear. If it requires draining, use a special pan-cleaning tablet you can purchase at home improvement or hardware stores.
• If your pan has a pump, check the float switch. If the lever is jammed “up” with liquid in the pan, call us at 478-200-5689, because you will likely have to get a new pump.

5. Watch for Heater Error Codes

If faults persist, take a look inside your heating system’s plastic window to verify the blower motor’s status. Dependent on the model, the light could also be attached on the surface of your heater.

If you notice anything other than a solid, colored light or flickering green light, reach us at 478-200-5689 for HVAC service. Your furnace could be communicating an error code that needs specialized help.

6. Clean the Flame Sensor

If your heating system tries to operate but turns off without distributing warmth, a dusty flame sensor could be to blame. When this occurs, your heater will make an attempt to turn on three times before a safety device turns it off for approximately an hour.

If you feel comfortable with removing the panels from your furnace, gently scrubbing your flame sensor is something you are able to do yourself. Or, one of our heating service experts has the ability to complete it for you.

If you want to clean the sensor yourself, you need:

• A 1/4” hex screwdriver or wrench
• Bit of light grit sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth
• A fresh paper towel

Next:

• Turn off the furnace’s power by using its wall switch or breaker. If your gas valve isn’t electric, you have to shut off the gas as well.
• Take off the furnace’s front panel and track the wire to the flame sensor.
• Take off the rod and use your sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth to lightly scrub the metal rod.
• Wipe off the rod with a paper towel.
• Remount the sensor.
• Put the furnace doors back on.
• Restore power to the furnace. It could proceed through a sequence of examinations before proceeding with usual heating. If your furnace doesn’t start, the sensor may need to be replaced or something else may be creating an issue. If this occurs, call us at 478-200-5689 for heating and cooling repair help.

7. Relight the Pilot Light

If you are using an aging heater, the pilot light could be out. To light it, look for the guide on a sticker on your heater, or use these guidelines.

• Look for the lever on the bottom of your heating system marked “pilot,” “on” and “off.”
• Move the switch to the “off” position.
• Take a break for at least five minutes to prevent creating a fire.
• Push the knob to “pilot.”
• Hold down the “reset” button as you move the flame of a long lighter to the pilot light opening.
• Let go of the “reset” lever once the pilot light is burning.

If you have tried the list twice and the pilot light still won’t light or remain burning, contact us at 478-200-5689 for furnace service.

Examine Your Fuel Delivery System

Try using a second gas appliance. If it doesn’t operate, your natural gas service could be switched off, or you might have run out of propane.