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8 Troubleshooting Tips To DIY Your Furnace Repair

Your home’s furnace is essential to keeping you and your family warm during the colder months. But even if you keep it properly maintained, it could develop problems or break down, usually right when you need it most!

If the furnace in your Ventura County or San Fernando Valley home is acting up or won’t turn on, Aladdin Air Conditioning & Heating can help. Our furnace repair services are designed with your family’s comfort in mind.

If you notice any of the problems listed below with your furnace, contact us today to have one of our skilled technicians handle the issue quickly and safely.

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Ventura County

805-480-0327
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San Fernando Valley

818-991-5684

How To Troubleshoot Your Furnace

Whatever type of furnace you own, understanding how it works can help you troubleshoot problems and take the proper steps to get the issues resolved. While some fixes, like changing an air filter or resetting a breaker, are relatively easy DIY projects, others require a professional’s expertise.

No Hot Air

Is the furnace on? You might be surprised how often a heater isn’t set to “heat.” If it is set correctly:

  • Check to see if any batteries have expired.
  • Remove the thermostat cover and blow away any dust or debris.
  • Try resetting the date and time.
  • Check the breaker or fuse to see if they’re tripped or blown.

If you’re still not getting warm air, the issue is probably with the wiring or the breaker.

The Furnace Clicks but Doesn’t Turn On

This is often due to an electrical problem. Your furnace might not have sufficient power, meaning it isn’t receiving enough voltage from the circuit breaker. Another common cause is faulty thermostat settings. To resolve either of these issues, try turning off the circuit breaker for 20 minutes and then flip it back on.

It’s also possible that the electronic ignition isn’t working correctly, or the flame sensor could be dirty or faulty. These issues are usually best left to the pros.

Loud or Unusual Noises

If you hear strange sounds when your furnace runs, it’s most likely due to a loose part or damaged component. While occasional banging or popping sounds are normal, unusual noises generally indicate a problem. For instance:

  • Scraping noises usually mean an issue with the blower wheel.
  • Squealing, screeching, and whistling are problems with the blower motor or belt.
  • Rattling is typically caused by a loose part, panel, or door.

If you hear loud rumbling from your furnace, it could indicate a burner problem. In this case, you should call in a professional immediately to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Blowing Cold Air

If your heating system’s blowing cold air, probable causes include a problem with the gas supply, flame detector, air filter, condensate lines, or pilot light. Check if the furnace is getting power by moving the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the power is fine, you might need to replace the gas control valve, clear the fresh-air intake, or replace the ignitor.

The Flame Starts, But Furnace Shuts Down

The likely culprit here is a non-working flame sensor. If there’s corrosion on the sensor, you can try sanding it. In most cases, though, it’s best to replace it.

Blower Won’t Stop Blowing

If the blower motor runs nonstop, it’s probably one of three issues:

  1. The thermostat is set to “on” instead of “auto.”
  2. Control board relays are stuck in the closed position.
  3. The thermostat’s contacts are worn.

The Furnace’s Air Smells Bad

When your furnace emits foul odors, it can usually be blamed on a dirty filter that should be washed, if washable, or replaced. A less frequent cause is a dead bird or rodent stuck somewhere in the system. A professional furnace technician can help determine if that’s the case.

Furnace Runs Continuously

A constantly running furnace could be due to a dirty air filter or an incorrect thermostat setting. If they both check out, you can check the furnace blower for clogging and clean it, if necessary. If this doesn’t solve the issue, contact an experienced technician.

Choose Aladdin Air Conditioning & Heating

Regularly scheduled furnace maintenance services maximize the equipment’s life cycle and ensure it works correctly whenever you need it. Is your furnace more than 15 years old? You might want to consider a furnace replacement. Furnace services from Aladdin AC ensure the heating system in your San Fernando Valley or Ventura County home keeps everyone inside comfortably warm.

Contact us online to schedule an appointment today!

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Ventura County

805-480-0327
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San Fernando Valley

818-991-5684

Contact Us Today!

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Office Location

1090 Lawrence Dr. #105
Newbury Park, CA 91320

License #739136

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Ventura County

805-480-0327
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San Fernando Valley

818-991-5684