You should never be cold when standing inside your home, so if you feel that you are shivering indoors, it may be because your furnace has stopped working. If that’s the case, you should contact a professional HVAC technician to fix the problem, but there are a few things you can do before you make the call, including the following:
Check Your Filters
Dirty air filters are often the cause of furnace problems and will cause them to perform inefficiently. If you notice that your furnace is firing up but not blowing heat as hard as it normally does, it may be because of a dirty filter, so check on this aspect. Air filters trap dust, dirt and debris, which can restrict vital airflow or even block it completely. This will lead to the overheating of the heat exchanger, and your furnace will not be able to work as it should. It is recommended that filters be changed every three months, so if this is your problem, buy a new filter and make the switch.
Check On Your Thermostat
Believe it or not, the problem behind many malfunctioning furnaces is the thermostat, which is the control centre of the heating system. Set your thermostat to heat instead of cool, then set it to five degrees above room temperature to troubleshoot the problem. This might help your furnace come on, but if you see that it’s not working as it should, the problem can be with your thermostat’s batteries. You can avoid this by simply replacing the batteries every year.
Check That Your Furnace Is Turned On
This may sound strange, but in some cases, your furnace may not be working because it’s turned off. This happens a lot after repairs or maintenance work, so always check to make sure your furnace has been turned back on. There is a basic power switch on all furnaces, so look at it to see if it’s in the on or off position.
Check On The Air Ducts
If you notice that there are cold spots in your home, even when hot air is coming out of the air vents, there may be a problem with the air ducts. There are handles that protrude from the ducts, so you need to check on these as they are dampers that control airflow, so you have to make sure they are fully open. If you notice that entire rooms are still cold, there may be a problem with leaking ducts or incorrectly designed ducts, and this is a serious problem that needs to be addressed; otherwise, your energy bills will increase. You should also make sure that none of your vents are being blocked by furniture or other objects like drapes or plants, for example.
If you check on these aspects and see that your furnace is still not working, it’s time to call in a professional. The experts at Inkster Heating & Cooling can help with all of your furnace needs, and our team specializes in ventilation and air conditioners as well, so if you are in Winnipeg, contact us today!