Tel. 613.233.1115

Troubleshooting your
Furnace

The best way to trouble-shoot your heating system is to go through the following items one by one, even if you feel sure you know what the outcome will be.

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If you smell gas, call your utility company and go outside.

1. Check your thermostat.

i) Is the system selector switch in the "Heat" position?
ii) Is the temperature set at least 3 degrees above current room temperature?
iii) If your thermostat is electronic, are the batteries charged?
iv) Some forced-air furnaces have a switch on the thermostat that allows you to turn the fan on independently of the furnace or air conditioner. This switch will be marked "ON" and "AUTO". Does your thermostat have such a switch?
v) If the answer to the above is Yes, listen for the furnace fan coming on. If you cannot hear the fan, go to one of the supply registers and see if you can feel any air coming up. Is the furnace fan operating?

Note: Some electronic thermostats have a delay built in to protect the furnace from being accidentally switched on while the air conditioner is running. This delay can be up to 15 minutes.

Summary: If everything seems fine with the thermostat, the next step is to make sure there is power going to the furnace.

2. Check electrical

(A) Items to check at the furnace
i) Your  system may be equipped with an emergency shut-off switch for the furnace. If so, make sure it is turned ON. In most homes, the emergency shut-off switch looks just like a regular light switch and will be located close to the furnace. (Trace the wire from the switch to the furnace to make sure you have the right switch.) It is quite common for this switch to be turned off accidentally. If the switch is ON, but the fan still doesn't operate, proceed to the items to check at the electrical panel.
ii) Some heating systems also have emergency cut-out switches that are activated when a door or service panel is removed. Often the furnace door is not replaced properly after a filter cleaning and the cut-out switch will prevent the furnace from coming on. Check to make sure all access doors are properly secured and fitted.

(B) Items to check at the electrical panel
i) The breakers for the air conditioner and the furnace should be in the "ON" position. If a breaker has been tripped, it will be in a position between ON and OFF. To reset, turn the breaker all the way off and then back on. If you have fuses instead, make sure the fuse hasn't blown. If it has, replace it with the same-sized fuse.

WARNING: If a breaker keeps tripping or a fuse keeps blowing, you should contact a qualified service technician to inspect your system to determine why you are having problems.

Summary: If you have determined that there is power to the furnace but you are still not getting any heat, select your heating fuel type from the list below and continue with the checks. If you have discovered that the furnace is not getting any power, call your service contractor.

Remember, when all else fails, we can be reached 24/7 at 613.233.1115

246 Rochester St. • Ottawa, ON • K1R 7N1 • info@homeservicegroup.ca • 613.233.1115 • Fax 613. 237.1080

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