Furnace Repair in Lafayette, LA

1. Examine the Thermostat

First, make sure your thermostat is instructing your heat to start.

Digital Thermostat

• Swap out the batteries if the monitor is empty. If the digital display is scrambled, the thermostat could need to be swapped out.
• Ensure the control is on “heat” as opposed to “off” or “cool.”
• Make certain the program is showing the appropriate day and time and is programmed to “run.” If you’re having problems overriding the schedule, adjust the temperature by utilizing the up/down arrows and using the “hold” button. This will cause the furnace to turn on if thermostat is causing a problem.
• Turn the temperature setting to 5 degrees hotter than what the room temperature currently is.

If your heater hasn’t kicked on within a few minutes, ensure it has power by toggling the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the fan doesn’t begin to run, your heating system may not have power.

Smart Thermostat

If you have a smart thermostat—such as one designed by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch—troubleshooting will be determined by the model you have. Check the manufacturer’s website for support. If you’re still unable to get your Wi-Fi thermostat to work, call us at (337) 234-2345 for heating and cooling service.

2. Examine Breakers and Switches

Next, verify your breaker and furnace switch are on.

• Locate your main electrical panel. If you have no idea where it is, look for a gray metal box in your basement, garage or closet.
• Ensure your hands and feet aren’t moist prior to touching the panel or breakers.
• Find the breaker labeled “furnace” or “heat,” and double-check it’s reading “on.” If you discover a tripped breaker, it will be in the middle or “off” spot.
• With one hand, firmly turn the breaker to the “on” position. If the breaker immediately trips and pops back to “off,” don't try to reset it and get in touch with a team member from AC Sales at (337) 234-2345 quickly.

No matter your furnace’s age or brand, it has at minimum one standard wall switch situated on or close to it.

• Make sure the lever is facing up in the “on” spot. If it was turned off, it could take your furnace up to five minutes to start. (If you don’t know where your furnace is located, take a look at your basement, garage or utility closet. It might also be in a crawl space or attic.)

3. Put in a New Air Filter

When we think about heater breakdowns, a filthy, blocked air filter is frequently to blame.

If your filter is too grungy:

• Your furnace won’t keep heating your home, or it could get too hot from limited airflow.
• Your gas costs may be higher because your heat is switching on too often.
• Your heating system could fail sooner than it should because a dusty filter forces it to overwork.
• Your heating might lose power if an extremely dirty filter is the cause of a tripped breaker.

Depending on what model of furnace you have, your air filter will be within the blower compartment of your furnace, an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.

To put in a new filter:

• Turn off your furnace.
• Pull out the filter and tilt it toward the light. If you can’t see light through it, replace it.
• Install the new filter with the arrow facing toward the furnace to prevent damage.

Flat filters should be replaced once a month, while pleated filters should last about three months. If you have children or pets, you may have to replace your filter sooner.

To make changing your filter easier down the road, use a permanent writing tool on your furnace outside or ductwork to list the airflow direction and filter size.

4. Check the Condensate Pan

Otherwise known as drain pans, condensate pans catch moisture your heater pulls from the air.

If moisture is seeping out of your furnace or its pan has too much water in it, follow these steps.

• If your pan contains a drain (look for a PVC pipe), check that it isn’t full. If it should be drained, use a special pan-cleaning tablet you can get at home improvement or hardware stores.
• If your pan has a pump, take a look at the float switch. If the switch is jammed “up” with liquid in the pan, contact us at (337) 234-2345, because you will likely need a new pump.

5. Watch for Heating Error Codes

If failures keep on happening, take a look at your heating system’s plastic window to verify the blower motor’s status. Subject to the model, the light may also be fixed on the exterior of your heater.

If you see anything except a steady, colored light or blinking green light, reach us at (337) 234-2345 for HVAC service. Your heating system might be giving an error code that is calling for professional help.

6. Scrub the Flame Sensor

If your heating system tries to operate but turns off without distributing heat, a dirty flame sensor can be at fault. When this happens, your furnace will make an attempt to start three times before a safety feature shuts it down for around an hour.

If you feel comfortable with opening up your furnace, cleaning your flame sensor is a task you can do yourself. Or, one of our heating service experts has the ability to do it for you.

If you are confident cleaning the sensor on your own, you require:

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

Next:

• Shut off the heating system’s power by using its wall switch or breaker. If you don’t have an electric gas valve, you have to turn off the gas along with it.
• Lift off the heating system’s front panel and follow the wire to the flame sensor.
• Remove the rod and use your sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth to carefully clean the metal rod.
• Clean the rod with a paper towel.
• Remount the sensor.
• Put the furnace doors back on.
• Turn the furnace’s power back on. It could proceed through a series of checks before continuing usual running. If your furnace doesn’t ignite, the sensor might require replacement or something else might be creating an issue. If this takes place, call us at (337) 234-2345 for heating and cooling repair help.

7. Light the Pilot Light

If you own an outdated furnace, the pilot light could be turned off. To light it, locate the directions on a label on your furnace, or try these guidelines.

• Locate the lever beneath your furnace labeled “pilot,” “on” and “off.”
• Push the switch to the “off” position.
• Don’t do anything for at least five minutes to avoid starting a fire.
• Turn the switch to “pilot.”
• Push the “reset” lever as you push the flame of a long lighter to the pilot light opening.
• Depress the “reset” switch once the pilot light is lit.

If you have tried the instructions twice and the pilot light still won’t light or remain lit, contact us at (337) 234-2345 for furnace service.

Inspect Your Energy Supply

Try using a second gas appliance. If it doesn’t work, your natural gas service could be turned off, or you could be out of propane.