If your furnace is making a thumping noise, you may have to make a Furnace Repair appointment. These thumping noises may be caused by loose parts in the furnace or a faulty motor. Check the circuit breaker, power switch, air intake, and thermostat. If none of these are the problem, it is time to call a professional. If the problem persists, follow these steps to make a Furnace Repair appointment.
Check the power switch
The first step in any furnace repair is to find the power switch. Oftentimes, people confuse the power switch with a light switch, so they turn the furnace off without even realizing it. To reset the circuit breaker, flip the paddle in the opposite direction. Then, reopen the furnace’s main circuit breaker to restore power to the furnace. Check the power switch again, and try again.
Check the circuit breaker
If you are in the middle of a furnace repair project, you’ve probably noticed that your home’s circuit breaker has tripped. It might be due to a blocked air vent or a malfunctioning electrical panel. It might be a simple problem like a faulty switch, but it can also be a much bigger issue, requiring a professional electrician’s assistance. In either case, you should check your circuit breaker for any tripped breakers and shut off the power to your furnace.
Check the air intake
Before performing any furnace repair, you should check the air intake pipe. The air intake pipe connects the furnace to the outside of the house. Sometimes, a blockage in this pipe can lead to the furnace not starting properly. To clear the intake pipe, reach deep into the furnace and remove any debris. If this isn’t possible, contact an HVAC service company to do it for you. Once this has been cleared, you can then test the furnace.
Check the thermostat
Before doing any other repair on your furnace, you must check the thermostat. Make sure that it can turn on and off, and that airflow around the registers and vents changes. If the thermostat does not make any sounds, the battery in it is likely dead or damaged. Then, change the filter. If this does not work, you may need to call a service. If you find any of these issues, you should contact a service technician for further inspection.
Check the air filter
Before doing furnace repair, you need to check the air filter. The airflow comes in from the return duct on the right side of the furnace. The new filter has an arrow on the edge. The arrow should face the same direction. Replace the air filter as needed. If it is damaged, the filter should be replaced. Once the filter is replaced, turn the HVAC unit back on and check the air filter again.
Check the flame sensor
One of the most important components of a furnace is the flame sensor. It is a tiny metal rod that sits in front of the pilot flame. When you turn on the thermostat, gas is released into the furnace’s combustion chamber and ignites the burners. When the flame sensor is faulty, the gas valve shuts off and no longer burns any fuel, which can lead to gas explosions and even carbon monoxide poisoning.
Check the hot surface igniter
If you are a homeowner who is familiar with heating systems, one of the first things you must check when doing furnace repairs is the hot surface ignitor (HSI). This is an incredibly important part of your furnace, as it ignites the gas that powers your heating system. The HSI should be checked for cracks and white spots on the carbide section. A cracked ignitor may still work, but its life span is limited. To ensure a successful repair, it is always recommended that you use an original manufacturer’s igniter. While there are many different igniters on the market, many of them are not calibrated to provide the right voltage and warm-up times.