Holiday Emergency Guide: How to Fix Your Furnace Before Calling an Expert

 

There’s no good time for your furnace to break down, but it’s really bad timing when it stops working during the holidays. ‘Tis the season to spend more than usual, so you may not be able to afford calling in an expert for repairs. So what can you do? Keep reading to learn about your options, including a quick guide to DIY fixes.

Financial Assistance is Available in Emergencies

If you live in some parts of the country, you may be able to get by without a working furnace until you save up enough. But cold states like Wisconsin get sub-zero temps that make your furnace a safety essential.

In emergencies, you can research installment loans in Wisconsin to help you get the cash you need. A local installment loan acts as a safety net when you can’t wait to make essential repairs.

But even the best Wisconsin installment loans come with rates and fees, which bumps up the cost of emergency repairs. When these repairs already cost roughly $300 on average, no one would blame you for wanting to skip this bill altogether.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

You might be able to solve simple problems without involving an expensive expert. Before you pick up the phone to call a repair service, put installment loans in Wisconsin on the backburner and follow this checklist to catch anything you can fix on your own.

Power Issues

Yes, this is the equivalent of the age-old tech question, “is your computer plugged in?”. It might sound silly, but it’s always a good place to start.

You’ll want to check the thermostat to ensure it’s set to heat, then the fuse or breaker box to confirm it has power. Manually flip the breaker to reset it. Next, check that the power switch and gas valve for your furnace are both on.

Clogged Air Filter

A clogged air filter can block airflow if it’s dirty enough. Not only will this drive-up energy bills as your furnace works harder to compensate, but it can cause the appliance to overheat and switch off.

Some filters are disposable, so you’ll need to install a new one every three months or so. However, some HVAC systems come with permanent filters that you have to clean. If you aren’t sure which one you have, you can usually find a label on the filter itself. 

Safety Switch Engaged

Find and remove the access door to your furnace. Inside, there’s a safety switch that shuts the power off if flipped. Sometimes, you can accidentally trip this switch if you don’t shut and latch the door completely.

Blockages

Does your furnace blow hot in some rooms and not in others? Go through the house and check that all your registers are open. Next, you’ll want to go into your basement to inspect the ductwork for any gaps between sections. You can use special metal duct tape to seal these drafts and reroute the air where it’s supposed to go.

You’ll also want to check for blockages outside the house. Any debris clogging your intake or exhaust will cause your furnace to stop working, so clear away any dirt and debris.

The Takeaway:

Although a faulty furnace is cause for alarm this winter, wait until you try these tips before calling an expert. You can catch simple issues, skip an installment loan, and save yourself a considerable amount of money.