As the year winds down and temperatures drop, Gainesville residents will begin to rely on their warm and comfortable home to escape the cool weather. Ineffective HVAC systems can put a crimp in home comfort, and many homeowners find troubleshooting a gas furnace to be an intimidating job. Here’s how to approach common furnace problems if they occur.

Furnace Produces No Heat

Check the thermostat first to make sure it’s correctly set. If you’ve set the thermostat back while you were out, be sure to engage the furnace again. If the thermostat is set, check the circuit box to see if a fuse has blown.

Finally, you should check the furnace itself. Ensure that the gas control valve is open and the pilot light is lit.

Furnace Cycles On and Off Rapidly

When the furnace cycles rapidly, it may be a problem with airflow. Check to see if the air filter is obstructed or clogged. Then do the same to the furnace combustion chamber’s air intake. If neither of these areas is obstructed, it may be that the blower fan or the burners themselves are dirty or need some adjustment.

Furnace Noise is Excessive

Often an indication of insufficient maintenance, a noisy furnace may mean that a component in the blower fan needs lubrication, the burners are dirty or the pilot light needs adjustment. Although furnace issues can happen to anyone, keeping up with annual HVAC maintenance will reduce the need for troubleshooting a gas furnace.

Furnace Doesn’t Produce Sufficient Heat

If the furnace isn’t heating well, check to make sure that the thermostat is set correctly and heat is being delivered through the ducts and not obstructed by a dirty air filter. Leaky ducts may also cause you to lose heat. A home energy audit can help you determine where heat is lost in your home.

To learn more about troubleshooting a gas furnace, schedule an energy audit, or call for repairs to your HVAC system, call us today at Bounds Heating & Air!