How to Troubleshoot Potential Furnace Problems

Diagnosing Potential Issues Now Can Save You Some Work—and Even Some Money!

Your home furnace has one simple, yet essential job: To heat your living space until it reaches the ideal temperature you’ve set on your thermostat. And before too long, we’ll be firing up our systems for the incoming winter season. This brings up the following question: Is your heating system prepared for the season ahead?

If you’ve neglected maintenance on your system in years past, the potential for issues may arise. That first cold evening of the season, your furnace may seem to be doing its job when, in-fact, it is either underperforming or malfunctioning entirely.

Typically, troubles occur in one of two ways. Either the furnace acts like an overachiever—running after the desired temperature has been achieved, or it chugs along without ever reaching that target temperature.

Both issues will wind up costing you both in elevated heating bills as well as detrimental wear and tear on your equipment itself. Fortunately, smart homeowners can be proactive and nip potential problems in the bud with easy fixes. Just follow the guidance in the “Troubleshoot Your Furnace Tip Sheet” below!

Troubleshoot Your Furnace Tip Sheet

If your furnace runs but fails to reach the set temperature:

• Check The Thermostat Settings. It’s vital that your thermostat is set to a temperature appropriate for your equipment. If the thermostat is too high, your furnace may struggle to ever reach it, especially on a bitterly cold day. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends 68°F in peak winter, and a well-functioning furnace should be able to hit the mark with ease.
• Change Your Air Filters Regularly. A furnace air filter clogged with dirt and contaminants will obstruct the passage of warm air, keeping it from reaching your living space. Check your filter once a month during winter, changing or cleaning it—depending on the model—as needed.
• Diagnose The Ducts. Ductwork transports warm air from the furnace to your living areas. Over time, its seals, joints, and even straight sections can develop leaks. Go into your attic, crawlspace, and/or basement and inspect the visible ducts and connections for gaps, tears, and pieces of duct tape—a sign that leaks have likely been previously patched, common in older homes. Seal visible leaks and consider having your ducts evaluated and sealed by professionals every five years.
• Weatherize Wisely. Your furnace will be forced to work overtime due to air leaks around windows and doors, and within walls and ceilings. These drafts can steal 15 percent or more of your home’s energy efficiency. Simple DIY measures to weatherize include sealing windows with plastic and caulking cracks around window frames, putting weather stripping around door jambs and installing door sweeps on exterior doors, and adding insulation. These smart moves will help keep cold air OUT and warm air IN your home.

If your furnace continues to run after reaching the target temperature:

• Correct the Blower Mode. Unlike a boiler that heats radiators or baseboards, a furnace relies on a blower to push heated air through the ductwork. This blower can operate whether or not the furnace is producing hot air—and that’s precisely what happens when your thermostat’s heat mode is set to “on” rather than “auto.”

  If your furnace is constantly running, check the settings on your thermostat; if it is set to “on,” switch to “auto” and see if that corrects the problem.

• Check Your Thermostat. If switching from “on” to “auto” fails to fix the problem, examine your thermostat for issues like frayed wires or spent batteries. If changing the batteries doesn’t set things right, it’s probably time to install a new thermostat altogether.

If none of the above troubleshooting techniques solve your furnace problem, reach out to Pemi River Fuels for service! Our local, expert service technicians will diagnose the problem and fix it quickly, getting it right the first time to restore the cozy warmth essential to your New Hampshire home.

For expert heating oil and propane furnace repairs in the Grafton, Belknap, and Carroll County area, trust the company that’s been taking care of our neighbors in New Hampshire for more than 50 years. Choose Pemi River Fuels! Contact us today to learn more.