Keeping My Power Bills Down

3 Simple Repairs That Can Restore Furnace Function

Modern homeowners rely heavily on their heating systems during the cool winter months. When your furnace suddenly stops working as it should, you may find yourself facing a cool and uncomfortable living space.

Many things can cause a furnace to malfunction, but there are a few issues that can be fixed with relative ease. Try these simple repairs the next time your furnace goes out to quickly restore furnace function and keep your home warm and cozy throughout the winter months.

1. Clean the Burner Assembly

Gas furnaces burn fuel in order to power the heating process. When the fuel source doesn't burn cleanly, you may notice a significant decrease in your furnace's heating capacity.

The burner assembly is responsible for housing the flame that ignites the natural gas coming into your furnace. This burner assembly can become contaminated over time. Dirt, soot, and condensation all have the potential to interfere with the function of the burner assembly.

The easiest way to determine if your burner assembly needs a thorough cleaning is to examine the flame within your furnace. If the flame is burning blue and even, your burner assembly is fine. If the flame appears to be orange in color, then a cleaning is required.

An experienced HVAC technician can safely complete the cleaning of your burner assembly and get your furnace working properly once again.

2. Oil the Blower

The blower is another critical component within your furnace. Once air has been heated through the combustion process, the blower pushes this warm air throughout your home. Without a functional blower, you won't feel any heated air coming through the vents in your home.

The blower is constantly in motion when your furnace is engaged in the heat cycle. It's important that the blower fan can move freely in order to properly circulate heated air. You may need the help of an HVAC technician if your blower seems to be malfunctioning.

A faulty blower can often be repaired by applying lubricating oil to the moving parts so that they can work together properly to push heated air throughout your home.

3. Replace the Belts

A series of belts are used to help power the blower motor in your furnace. When one of these belts fails, your furnace is unable to properly heat your home. Homeowners often have a hard time determining when it's time to replace furnace belts.

The best way to diagnose a damaged belt is by listening closely when your furnace is engaged in a heat cycle. Furnaces that produce an excessive amount of noise are not functioning efficiently. Loud bangs or clanks could be caused by a faulty belt within the blower motor. Other noises could be attributed to loose motor mounts.

You should reach out to an experienced HVAC technician as soon as you notice any strange sounds coming from your furnace. Leaving a faulty belt in your blower motor could cause more significant damage to your furnace in the future.

4. Replace the Thermostat

Sometimes your heating problems are not caused by the furnace itself, but by a faulty thermostat.

The thermostat communicates with your furnace to control when the furnace turns on and off. If the thermostat isn't functioning properly, your furnace will not receive the signals needed to maintain the right temperature within your living space.

Replacing a dated or damaged thermostat can give you the ability to improve the efficiency of your furnace and maintain a comfortable living space over time.

Simple repairs are often all it takes to get your furnace functioning properly once again. Work with your HVAC technician to diagnose and repair any problems your furnace may experience in the future.

To learn more, contact a residential HVAC service in your area today.


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