Step 1. Be sure to check the thermostat. You want to make sure it’s on and set to the “heat” setting.

Step 2. Next, check the furnace switch to make sure it is at “on” position.

Step 3. Check the circuit breaker. It’s easy to overlook this. Has it been tripped?

Step 4. Check the furnace filter for clogs. If it’s dirty, it would be smart to replace it.

Step 5. Check the furnace front panel. If it’s come undone, make sure it’s securely shut.

Step 6. Check your gas valve. Check that it’s set to the “on” position.

Step 7. Check your air ducts to make sure that they’re not blocked.

Step 8. Are you still having problems? It would be a good idea to call a professional at this point.

How old is your furnace? Consider the cost of repairs and how often you’ve needed them. We use the $5000 rule. Here’s how it works. Multiply the age by the cost of repair per year and if that is less than $5000, repair the furnace. For example, if your furnace is 12 years old, and the repair will cost $500, multiply 12X500=6000, which is greater than 5000. Because the cost is so high for repairing it, it’s time to replace the unit.

While a repair bill can run anywhere from $100 to $1200, we find that the average is about $300, with our customer’s bills ranging from $170 to $500 for repairs. Now, the pricing comes down to a couple of factors such as if it’s under warranty, how much work is involved, are there parts needed, and what type of unit it is.

When it comes to having your air conditioner running efficiently, one of the things to keep in mind is to service it regularly. We suggest you do this in the spring, so your unit offers peak efficiency when you need to cool your home. Did you know that an un-serviced AC system can lose 5% of its operating efficiency? Also, as a reminder, change your clean your air filters once a month. As for your heating system, you should service it in the fall.

It’s frustrating, I know. Unfortunately, there are some problems that cause an AC unit to not work right. It can be something like a bad air filter, dirty coils, a suffocating condenser, or even a frozen evaporator coil. There are even things to consider like faulty wiring and more. Lastly, check your settings, and make sure you have the unit set to cool and your fan set to auto.

Most air conditioning systems last for about 12-15 years if they were properly installed, and well-maintained. When it comes to heat pumps, consider a 14-year life span. This is when you follow the recommended maintenance. Don’t slack on keeping things maintained, because it extends the life of the unit. Once the unit is over 10 years old, you might want to look into forgoing all the repairs and simply replace it.