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Re-activateIn this new weekly feature, we'll help you protect your investment by keeping your home—and all its many systems and components—in good condition. Stay tuned for future installments.
Should your gas furnace falter or fail this winter, you might be able to fix it yourself without the cost and hassle of hiring a pro:
• If your forced-air heating system is delivering a low airflow, check the air filter on the furnace. A clogged filter could cut airflow to a trickle. Change the filter with the proper size and type.
• If the furnace has stopped working altogether, ensure that a circuit breaker or fuse has not cut power to the heating system. Also verify that any emergency-power switches, which often have a red-colored wall plate, are switched on.
• Determine whether the thermostat is malfunctioning. If you have an electronic thermostat that runs on batteries, try changing them. Learn more about thermostats and how they can cut your heating bills by up to 20 percent.
• If those steps don't work, call a heating contractor. Even with the higher efficiency of most new furnaces, it's generally more cost-effective to repair a furnace than to replace it. However, if a key component, such as the heat exchanger or control module, fails, you're probably better off replacing the furnace, especially if the unit is more than about 15 years old—furnaces typically last an average of 15 to 18 years.
Essential information: Read "Heating: Stay Warm Without Getting Fleeced" for expert advice on lowering your heating bills this winter, and keep your heating system in tiptop shape. Finally, be sure your carbon-monoxide and smoke alarms are working properly.
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