Should You Do Your Own Furnace Repair? When to DIY (And When to Call a Professional)

When something goes wrong with our home appliances, your first instinct may be to see if you can safely (and easily) repair it yourself. DIY furnace repair projects can save you tons of money as long as you do your research and are well equipped to start the job.

Unfortunately, some furnace repair issues shouldn’t be done alone and may call for a professional’s opinion and expertise. Trying to do a complicated furnace repair may result in spending even more money down the line. It can even be a safety hazard.

Understanding what’s wrong with your furnace can help you decide whether your furnace needs a DIY or professional fix.

4 DIY Furnace Repairs You Can Do Yourself

If it’s possible to fix your furnace without calling a technician, you may be able to save yourself some time and money. DIY projects not only are easy on the wallet, but they can help you understand more about your home’s heating unit.

Below are some furnace repairs that you can likely do on your own if you have some basic know-how.

Cleaning a Dirty Furnace Does Not Require Professional Furnace Repair Services

Sometimes furnace problems are caused by excess dirt and debris. Unless it’s been years since you last cleaned your furnace, you can usually fix this on your own.

Take a look inside your furnace at least once a year and clean off any debris that you can see on its orifices. Dust and debris can build up over time when your furnace is not cleaned regularly, which can ultimately affect its ability to heat your home.

It’s also vital to change your air filter once every three months or so. Dirty air filters can block warm air from entering your home, resulting in an uncomfortably chilly home during the winter months.

Your Furnace’s Fan Is Constantly Blowing

If your furnace’s fan is blowing all of the time, your furnace probably has an issue. The most common problem is that your fan isn’t on the correct setting.

First, make sure your fan is set to “auto” instead of “on”. If it’s “on”, it will be forced to constantly blow rather than only when needed.

If that doesn’t work, try doing a test by setting your thermostat a couple degrees below the room temperature and see if your furnace fan stops blowing after a few minutes. If you didn’t have any luck, it’s time to call your local HVAC professional.

Your Furnace is Rattling

If you hear your furnace rattling, it may be time to get a professional over to help. But before you do that, check to see if your blower motor is out of alignment, dirty, or has a loose screw.

If you have experience with wiring or electrical, you may be comfortable fixing these issues at home. If you feel unsure about this DIY fix, don’t push it and call someone to help.

Never allow for any noises coming from your furnace to linger, as the problem could result in more issues in the future.

When to Call an HVAC Professional For a Furnace Repair

Sometimes at home furnace repairs just don’t cut it. These four issues are some of the instances where it’s best that you call an HVAC professional to help.

If You Smell Sulfur, You Will Need Professional Furnace Repair Services

If you ever smell an odd or eggy smell from your furnace, immediately shut off your gas lines. This could be a sign that your furnace is leaking toxic gas and could potentially be very hazardous. Once your gas lines are shut off, call a professional ASAP to ensure you and your family remain safe.

Get Professional Furnace Repair Services if Strange Sounds Persist

As mentioned earlier, some sounds are normal and can be easily fixed with some simple tweaks. If your at-home solutions don’t solve the problem, call a professional to come survey your unit. Certain noises can be linked to more serious furnace issues if ignored.

If Your DIY Furnace Repair Doesn’t Do The Job

If your DIY fixes don’t fix the problem at hand, your next step is to get a professional opinion. Always be sure to call a trusted company with years of experience and a solid reputation, such as Paragon Heating and Home Comfort Solutions.

Paragon has been serving Snohomish and East King counties for years. We pride ourselves on high quality workmanship, exceptional service, and trustworthiness, which is why we have so many happy returning customers. Get a quote today and see how we can help.