Understanding how to troubleshoot and fix common problems can save a homeowner time and money. While many of your furnace problems require a professional heating contractor to address, there are some issues a homeowner may be able to assess on their own.

Check The Fan Limit Switch If Your System Is Not Producing Heat

Is your furnace blowing cold air or not heating up at all? The fan limit switch turns the blower fan on and off to regulate the temperature in your home. If it is not working correctly, your furnace will not heat up properly.

There are several steps to troubleshooting the fan limit switch, but they can be relatively simple. Set the temperature on the thermostat to be higher than the room temperature. If the furnace does not start heating up, it could indicate that the switch may need to be repaired. However, if the furnace does begin to heat up, this suggests the problem is somewhere else.

Lubricate Your Blower Motor To Reduce Noise

The blower motor is responsible for moving warm air through your home, but it can create a lot of noise and vibration if it is not lubricated. To lubricate the blower motor, you must remove the casing to access it. Furthermore, you must use the correct type of lubricant. If the blower motor continues to make noises, it may have warped components. Unfortunately, this repair can require a professional to complete.

A Dirty Flame Sensor Can Cause Furnace Short-Cycling

Your furnace rapidly turning on and off can be caused by a dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor. The component verifies that a flame is present. If it does not detect a flame, the furnace is turned off to prevent spilling or leaking fuel. To clean this sensor, you can use steel wool to remove baked-on residue and a microfiber cloth to remove loose grime. You must clean this sensor every year or two to prevent these accumulations from impacting the system's performance.

Adjusting The Dampers May Improve Heat Distribution

Uneven heating can be caused by improper airflow and heat distribution. Adjusting the dampers is one solution that may correct these problems. Dampers are valves in your ductwork that control the amount of airflow to different areas of your home. Unfortunately, some dampers can be located in challenging areas to reach. When adjusting the dampers, you want to adjust them incrementally until you get the desired results. Otherwise, it can be difficult to anticipate the impacts your adjustments will have.

For more information about furnace repair, contact a local company, like Dr HVAC, Inc.