Learning About HVAC Equipment

If your furnace is acting up, you may need an HVAC technician's help to fix it. However, there are some things you can do yourself to address and possibly fix the problem. You'll want to start by looking into the following areas if your furnace isn't working correctly:

Check the pilot light

Many newer furnaces have electronic ignitions. However, if you have a model that uses a pilot light, you want to make sure it is lit. If there is a problem with the pilot light, it can be caused by a couple different things.

Check that the flame setting is high enough – Look for an adjustable screw and turn it slightly to the right. You want to achieve a flame that stays blue and steady.

Make sure the orifice isn't clogged – If there is a clog then it is very important for you to make sure the gas is off. You should also shut off the power to the furnace at the circuit breaker. You can remove the clog by pushing a very thin wire through the spot where the flame would come out.

Check the airflow

If your furnace does work but just isn't putting out the amount of heat you are happy with, there are some things you want to check. Start by making sure you have the thermostat set correctly. It may have been moved down on accident or by someone else in your household.

Make sure the filter is clean. If it's not, then this can be the problem. You want to clean it right away or replace it with a new one. This will allow the furnace to work properly and it will improve the quality of the air in your home. Also, make sure all of the registers are open wide enough and nothing is blocking them.

Try resetting the furnace

If the furnace isn't working at all, there may be a problem with it not getting power. In this case, you want to try to bring power back by trying a couple things. The first thing you want to do is make sure the fuse didn't get tripped. Check the circuit breaker and if it is tripped, flip it back to the on position.

Some furnaces will have a reset button. This button is generally located by the motor's housing. Press the button and if it goes in then this may be the problem. If you try the above tips and you're still having problems, then you want to call out an HVAC company like Long Beach Heating & Air Conditioning Inc to come look into the issue. They will be able to get your furnace up and running again.