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| Digital thermostat in the living room (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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| English: A residential electronic thermostat (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Step One: Testing the Furnace Thermostat
Turn on your furnace to check that it's operable if you haven't operated the heat so far this season.Switch your thermostat to the heating mode and increase the temperature to a higher setting. Most thermostats go up to about 90 degrees, but we only recommend setting it about 5 degrees higher than what your normal operating temperature will be during the winter. If no hot air comes out of the vents, try turning up the thermostat to a higher temperature then you previously set it at. There is normally a short or brief delay, before the furnace blower motor turns on and starts blowing warm air. Normally, the air temperature will begin to get warmer slowly. vents warming quickly. If you don't hear air moving after a couple minutes or don't feel the air getting warmer, switch the thermostat to the off position, where no air is blowing, and you cannot hear the furnace blower motor running. At this early stage, you might have a broken furnace in need of repair, but lets look at some other things first.
Step Two: Checking the Contacts and Electrical Connections
Check for dust, dirt or obstructions in or around the thermostat by removing the thermostat cover. Dirt or dust on the sensitive electronics can distort the thermostat's calibration and temperature regulation. Try not to be rough with the removal of the cover, as jarring the unit can cause the thermostat to malfunction. Older thermostats (non electronic) have to be level on the wall, so check that the thermostat is perfectly level to the wall and surroundings. If you find excess dirt or corrosion on the electrical contacts, contact an ABA furnace repair professional in Austin to replace it for you. If the thermostat appears clean and level, more than likely this is not your problem.
Step Three: Checking the Fuses and Circuit Breaker
Check your main fuse box for your heater or furnace unit. Look at the fuse or circuit breaker for the furnace. If you can see that the circuit breaker for the furnace is tripped to the off position (or half-way in some older models), switch it fully to the off position (you should hear or feel a click when it is fully on way or the other), then firmly return it to the on position, again, feeling a click. If it trips back to the off position again immediately or after trying to test your furnace system again, there could be a problem requiring professional furnace repair, or an electrical repair service. Never attempt to adjust the electrical service box yourself, as these are very high voltage systems that can cause severe injury or death.
If your furnace circuit breaker was not tripped, try turning on the thermostat again and testing your system again. If there is not any warm air, or your furnace system remains broken, take a look at the outside of the furnace itself for any obvious blockage or obstructions, like a buildup of dirt and dust, burn or heat marks, noises or any other indications of a malfunctioning furnace. On newer high efficiency furnace models, the duct work may be vented out to one of the side walls of your home. While there check your furnace filter and replace it if needed. Air filters should be checked at least every three months on any HVAC system.
If after performing all the above steps, it may be time to contact a licensed and professional furnace and heating repair technician. ABA Appliance in Austin has been keeping homes warm, and furnaces operating properly for years in the Austin, TX area. You can contact us at 512-687-1463, to set up a fast appointment for your next furnace repair service.
