Furnace Repair in Los Angeles, California: How to Fix 7 Common Troubles

1. Inspect the Thermostat

First, make sure your thermostat is instructing your furnace to turn on.

Digital Thermostat

• Change the batteries if the monitor is empty. If the digital screen is mixed up, the thermostat could need to be changed.
• Make certain that the control is set to “heat” instead of “off” or “cool.”
• Make certain the program is displaying the correct day and time and is scheduled to “run.” If you’re having problems turning off the program, set the temperature by using the up/down arrows and using the “hold” button. This will make the heating to start if thermostat settings are a problem.
• Set the temperature setting to 5 degrees hotter than the room temperature.

If your furnace hasn’t turned on within a couple minutes, ensure it has juice by changing the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the fan doesn’t start, your furnace could be without power.

Smart Thermostat

If you use a smart thermostat—for example one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch—troubleshooting will be determined by the model you have. Take a look at the manufacturer’s website for support. If you’re still unable to get your Wi-Fi thermostat to operate, reachl us at 800-296-5088 for heating and cooling service.

2. Check Breakers and Switches

Next, you should verify your breaker and furnace switch are on.

• Locate your house’s main electrical panel. If you aren’t sure where it is, look for a metallic metal box in your basement, garage or closet.
• Make certain that your hands and feet are dry prior to opening the panel or breakers.
• Look for the breaker marked “furnace” or “heat,” and double-check it’s moved to “on.” If you find that the breaker tripped, it will be in the middle or “off” spot.
• With one hand, firmly switch the breaker to the “on” location. If the breaker instantly trips and pops back to “off,” leave it alone and get in touch with a team member from AZ Air Conditioning and Heating at 800-296-5088 quickly.

Regardless of your furnace’s age or brand, it has at least one standard wall switch installed on or near it.

• Make sure the switch is moved up in the “on” placement. If it was switched off, anticipate your furnace could take up to five minutes to turn on. (If you’re unsure where to find your furnace, take a look at your basement, garage or utility closet. It could also be in a crawl space or attic.)

3. Get a New Air Filter

When it comes to furnace breakdowns, a dirty, clogged air filter is frequently to blame.

If your filter is too grungy:

• Your furnace won’t be able to stay on, or it may get too warm from reduced airflow.
• Your gas costs might go up because your furnace is switching on more often.
• Your furnace might fail prematurely due to the fact a dirty filter forces it to overwork.
• Your heating system can be disconnected from power if an overly clogged filter causes the breaker to trip.

Depending on what make of furnace you have, your air filter is located within the blower compartment of your heater, an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.

To put in a new filter:

• Cut the power to your heating system.
• Take out the filter and hold it up to the light. If you can’t see light through it, get a new one.
• Put in the new filter with the arrow pointing toward the furnace to avoid damage.

Flat filters should be replaced every month, while pleated filters should work around three months. You can also use a washable filter that will last about 10 years. If you have children or pets, you may have to change your filter sooner.

To make changing your filter go more quickly down the line, write with a permanent pen on your heating system outside or ductwork to list the airflow direction and filter size.

4. Look at the Condensate Pan

Otherwise known as drain pans, condensate pans capture liquid your heater pulls from the air.

If moisture is dripping from your heater or its pan has too much water in it, use these steps.

• If your pan includes a drain (look for a PVC pipe), make sure that it isn’t clogged. If it should be drained, get a special pan-cleaning tablet you can purchase at home improvement or hardware shops.
• If your pan contains a pump, inspect the float switch. If the switch is jammed “up” with standing water in the pan, call us at 800-296-5088, because you will possibly have to buy a new pump.

5. Check for Heater Error Codes

If malfunctions continue, peek at your heating system’s plastic window to check the blower motor’s status. Dependent on the type, the light might also be fixed on the surface of your heating system.

If you see anything other than an uninterrupted, colored light or flickering green light, contact us at 800-296-5088 for HVAC service. Your heater could be emitting an error code that requires expert service.

6. Scrub the Flame Sensor

If your heater makes an effort to run but switches off without distributing warm air, a dirty flame sensor could be at fault. When this takes place, your heating system will make an attempt to ignite three times before a safety feature turns it off for about an hour.

If you feel comfortable with removing the panels from your furnace, gently scrubbing your flame sensor is a job you are able to do on your own. Or, one of our heating service specialists is able to do it for you.

If you are confident cleaning the sensor yourself, you should have:

• A 1/4” hex screwdriver or wrench
• Section of light grit sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth
• A fresh paper towel

Then:

• Shut off the heater’s power by using its wall switch or breaker. If you don’t have an electric gas valve, you will need to switch off the gas as well.
• Lift off the furnace’s front panel and follow the wire to the flame sensor.
• Take off the rod and use your sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth to lightly clean the metal rod.
• Wipe off the rod with a paper towel.
• Remount the sensor.
• Replace the furnace doors.
• Switch the furnace’s power back on. It may run through a series of inspections before proceeding with regular heating. If your furnace doesn’t start, the sensor might need to be replaced or something else may be wrong. If this takes place, get in touch with us at 800-296-5088 for heating and cooling repair assistance.

7. Light the Pilot Light

If you have an older furnace, the pilot light could be extinguished. To light it, locate the steps on a sticker on your furnace, or try these steps.

• Locate the switch below your heater labeled “pilot,” “on” and “off.”
• Turn the switch to the “off” position.
• Don’t do anything for at least five minutes to limit the possibility for sparking a fire.
• Push the knob to “pilot.”
• Press the “reset” lever as you push the flame of a long lighter to the pilot light opening.
• Let go of the “reset” switch once the pilot light is ignited.

If you have gone through the guide twice and the pilot light still won’t light or stay ignited, get in touch with us at 800-296-5088 for furnace service.

Check Your Fuel Source

Try switching on an additional gas appliance. If it doesn’t work, your natural gas delivery might be turned off, or you might have run out of propane.