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Common Furnace Repairs

Losing heat on a cold winter’s day stinks. You hate it, you hate having to deal with it, and you hate the thought of what the solution might cost you.  All very reasonable reactions.

But what if you had some idea of what was wrong and, in a couple of cases, it was something you could take care of yourself…for free?  A lot less aggravation, right?  And money that doesn’t leave your pocket.

So, for your own peace of mind and enlightenment, here are a few common furnace problems…a couple you can remedy on your own, and the rest we’re ready to help you with.

• Dirty or clogged filter. A furnace can’t effectively move warm air from point A to point B if your filter is caked with dirt and dust.  So, if your heat goes south this winter, check your filter. Restoring the warmth could be as simple as cleaning or replacing it…something you should do once every month or so all winter long.
• Loss of power. You should HOPE this is the problem because it’s the easiest to fix.  Before calling Messmer Mechanical, ensure your furnace is plugged in, turned on, and that the breaker switch hasn’t tripped.
• Ignition problem. A furnace that won’t start or provide heat can be caused by a problem with the ignition system. Here’s how to find out. First, turn off the power for a few minutes. Turn your thermostat up high to make sure it’s calling for heat and turn power on. The igniter should glow bright and you should hear the gas control valve click before ignition. If it doesn’t glow at all and you hear the gas valve click, you probably have a bad igniter or control module.
• Faulty thermostat. Maybe you can’t repair or replace a thermostat but, if that’s the problem, it’s a relatively easy and affordable fix. To test that theory, turn the thermostat up to 80…if your home doesn’t warm up, the problem could very well be with the thermostat.
• Blower motor fan. Dirt can build up anywhere inside your system, including the blower motor.  Over time, the dirt and dust can hinder the ability of a furnace to generate heat.
• Pilot light has gone out. This is another thing you can check on your own.  In fact, if the pilot light gas completely gone out, or is anything other than a steady blue flame, try re-igniting it before taking any further action.  But only if you think you can do so safely and accurately.

If the problem is beyond your ability to restore heat, Messmer Mechanical is on hand to lend you the full benefit of our experience and training. Contact us today or any time for the help you need with your heating or cooling system.