Furnace Repair Checklist for Your Home

In most homes across the land, families have moved away from fireplaces with uneven heat to a central heating and air conditioning system. We have developed a reasonable expectation of keeping consistent warmth, using a thermostat setting for our personal comfort level.

When our heating system does not meet these expectations, we begin to seek a solution to fix the problem. This might sound rather “snooty” in other countries, but it really is our expectation; whether in a rural cottage or a 16^th-floor apartment, we expect our homes to be comfortably warm during winter months.

What happens when our comfort level is not met? If some rooms are too cold or the furnace does not blow warm (enough) air? Here are some common problems that result in a less-than-desirable comfort level.

Let’s start with the easiest of furnace repair fixes: check for a clogged air filter. The air filter traps airborne particles with every heating or cooling cycle. If not changed regularly, the filter can collect enough particles to reduce airflow through the furnace. In this situation, the blower fan cannot move enough air to adequately warm your house. Change a clogged filter and set calendar reminders to change the filter every three months.

Research the age of your furnace and its efficiency. If you do not know when the furnace was installed do some investigation to determine its age; a furnace that is approaching 20 years of use is nearing a time for a replacement. If the furnace is approaching the end of useful service, take a quick glance at your utility bills over the last couple of years. If your account for normal inflation and find a further spike in your energy bill, you should consider replacing the furnace before a catastrophic failure catches you at an inopportune period.

Is your discomfort localized? Investigate where you feel the coldest. Is it coldest near windows or doors? Or does the “back room” seem drafty? Replacing windows or applying caulk and weather stripping might solve the problem. Check the supply vents and the cold air returns to make sure nothing is covering them, preventing warm airflow. Something as simple as a drape can reduce good airflow, so take a look around in cold zones. Poor insulation can also cause a room to be cold; often, adding attic insulation can make a cold space a warm, cozy space.

A rarer occurrence is problems with ductwork since most ducts are set in place during construction and rarely move. However, when something disrupts the integrity of a system of sealed ducts, the airflow is stopped or the air will leak outside the conditioned space of the home.

If this discomfort happens suddenly—it worked yesterday, but it is not working today, here are a few things to check first. Go to the electrical service panel and check the circuit breaker or fuse. That would be an awesome find if a flip of the breaker restored heat! Another component to check is your thermostat. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, the switch gets moved or the setting gets turned down. Don’t forget, your thermostat runs on batteries and batteries need to be changed occasionally.

If none of these “easy fixes” restore comfort, it might be time to call your heating professional for a furnace repair appointment.

Have Questions About Furnace Repair?

With our four decades of experience as a Furnace Repair contractor, AirPro Houston provides you with the skill and expertise to assist with the steps to answer questions about Furnace Repair and maintenance.

We have several financing options available with great options with up to 72-month terms with approved credit. Call us today at  281-880-8805 and let us partner with you for all of your Furnace Repair, Tune Up maintenance, and new installation needs.