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At Home Comfort Experts, we are happy to come fix your furnace if it stops working. But, we’ve been in this business a long time and we’ve seen some instances where homeowners thought they had furnace trouble but could have avoided a service charge if they had just checked a few simple things first. Here is our list of things to check before calling us for furnace repair. Not that we don’t want to come see you, but we’d like to save you the money if we can.

Check Your Filter – Dirty filters are the most common cause of furnace problems. Today’s high-efficiency furnaces are designed to shut off if the filter gets too clogged. The heat exchanger will overheat when dust and dirt restrict airflow. The filter is a likely culprit especially if the blower is running but no heat is coming out. Simply replace the filter and see if that solves the problem.

Check Shutoff Switches and Breakers - Our customers always feel a little silly when our furnace technicians find that the only “repair” they needed was to flip a switch. First, check the circuit breaker box. If one looks like it’s not aligned with the rest, flip it back in place. Sometimes, that’s all it is. Also, all furnaces have a switch on or near them - look for a standard wall switch and try flipping it.

Check the Front Panel Cover - Make sure the front panel that covers the blower motor is securely in place. Furnaces have a safety switch that must be pushed in for the furnace to operate.

Flush Out Drain Lines - High-efficiency furnaces are designed to drain off several gallons of water a day. If the drain lines get clogged by sediment or mold, your furnace will automatically shut down. If the drain line looks dirty, you can simply remove the hose, fill it with a mixture of bleach water, then flush it after several minutes. Replace it and it should solve the problem.

Check Your Vent Pipe for Clogs - Snow-packed vent pipes can be a problem in the winter. Every furnace is vented to the outside to get rid of gaseous by-products. In winter storms, these vents can become snow-packed and clog. Once clogged, most new furnaces are designed to stop working as a safety precaution. However, some older models do not have this safety feature and can continue to run, filling your home with dangerous carbon monoxide. If your furnace stops working, check your vent pipe to make sure it is clear. Occasionally, a bird can decide to build a nest in a vent pipe as well, so it’s a good idea to check them every month or so.

If you check all of these things and don't find the problem, you probably need a professional to take a look. Give us a call and we'll send one of our Home Comfort Experts furnace repair technicians to save the day. Stay warm!