When and How to Make Sure Your Furnace is Working

With temperatures starting to drop, we recommend you test your furnace NOW. There are several reasons to do so: 

1. Ensure your furnace is ready to go for when the cold weather hits 
2. It’s easier to get an appointment if you need one now than later in October 
3. Gives you ample time if any replacement parts are required 
4. Catching any problems now could help save money in the long run 

Furnace Testing is Simple: 

Turn your thermostat to heat setting 

Turn your thermostat to the heating function and set the temperature to 5 degrees warmer than the current temperature in your home. 

Check to see if the furnace and furnace fan respond 

It should turn on and start blowing air. 

Listen for any unusual sounds coming from your furnace 

It’s not uncommon to hear faint hums and some small pinging sounds from the ducts. 

Move from room to room and place your hand over the vents in different areas of your home: 

• With older, single-stage furnaces, you should feel warm air coming from the vent shortly after turning on the heating function. 

• With newer, modulating furnaces, the air may actually feel a little cool (only slightly warmer than the temperature in your home). This is because to run more efficiently, modulating furnaces adjust in slight increments to maintain that temperature using variable-speed blowers and modulating gas valves rather than putting out short blasts of hotter air. This is not necessarily an indication of a problem. In this case, you may need to wait 30 to 60 minutes and then check that the overall house temperature has risen. 

If something isn’t working right with your furnace, whether it’s making unusual sounds, not heating up sufficiently, or the airflow seems weaker than it should, Call on Reliance™, and we’ll help determine the best way to resolve it. 

Interested in learning more about heating your home? Be sure to read our Ultimate Furnace Guide.