A furnace is a necessary appliance in any Canadian home. Your furnace works hard to keep you warm in the winter but poses a big problem if it stops working.
At Woodbridge GTA ClimateCare, we serve homeowners across Toronto and the GTA, specializing in heating, cooling, and air quality. One of the common questions we hear as HVAC specialists is, “How do you troubleshoot a furnace problem?” Here, we’ll shed some light on 4 common furnace problems and how we tackle them.
1. What Do I Do If the Furnace Is Not Turning On?
There are a few things to check if your furnace isn’t coming on, including:
- Furnace Filter: If the furnace filter is clogged it could be causing the furnace to overheat. To prevent a fire, your furnace turns off when things get too hot.
- Pilot Light: If you have an older furnace (pre-2010), it has a glowing blue flame inside called a pilot light. If your furnace is not turning the pilot light on, it stops working.
- Power: The furnace has a power switch (usually a light switch with a warning sign or red casing). If the switch is off, so is your furnace.
- Fuel: Fuel is necessary for gas furnaces to work. If your fuel has run dry, it cuts the furnace off.
If none of these checks proves useful, it could be a more serious problem. Call an HVAC technician to have a look.
2. How Do I Change a Dirty Furnace Filter?
A furnace filter should be changed once every 90-days to keep things running efficiently. If your filter is dirty, it slows the furnace from functioning properly and eventually shuts things down.
Changing a furnace filter is easy. Before you get started, be sure to purchase the right size filter for your furnace. Check the old filter for measurements. Next, follow these steps:
- Turn your furnace off
- Slide filter out of filter slot (If you can’t see the filter, open the panel covering the filter)
- Check the filter by holding it near a light
- Dispose of the filter if dirty
- Check the new filter for an arrow showing you which direction to install it
- Slide the new filter into the filter slot and replace the cover if necessary
- Turn the furnace back on
Need help with your HVAC system? Contact the experts at Woodbridge GTA ClimateCare today.
3. What If My Furnace Has Run Out of Oil?
Running low on fuel isn’t a problem but running out entirely can be an issue. When your oil tank runs empty, it allows air to enter the fuel line. This means when more fuel is added to your tank, the air is being pushed down the line, blocking fuel from getting to the furnace.
To remedy an air bubble, the fuel line needs to be bled. The fuel line must literally be opened, and fuel pushed out to expel the bubble. This is best left to a professional HVAC technician as bleeding a fuel line could cause oil to spill into your home.
4. How to Check if My Furnace is Working
Checking that your furnace is working properly isn’t as tough as you might think. Some ways to tell your furnace is running smoothly include:
- Sound: A quiet furnace is a good sign.
- Energy bill: If your energy bill is generally consistent during the winter months, your furnace is doing its job.
- Airflow: Feeling the warm air coming out of vents and ductwork tell you your furnace is blowing heat.
To keep your furnace working its best, annual inspections are important. Scheduling yearly furnace maintenance keeps you in the know on your HVAC system’s health and lifespan.
Contact Woodbridge GTA ClimateCare
For more information on gas furnace troubleshooting and common furnace problems speak to our experts today. Call Woodbridge GTA ClimateCare or fill out a form online.
