Forced Air Heating Systems

* Replace your furnace filters monthly. If you use reusable filters, vacuum the filters monthly.

* Brush and vacuum the heat exchanger surface annually.

* Check ducts for leaks and wrap with duct tape if any tears are found.

* Some fans and fan motors require annual oiling; some do not. Check your owner's manual for details.

* Some people prefer to do this maintenance themselves. It is recommended that you have a professional perform routine maintenance once a year.

If you have a gas furnace powering your forced air heating system and you smell gas:

* Do not try to fix it yourself.

* Open windows and get out of the house. Take children and pets with you.

* Do not turn on lights or switches.

* Call the gas company from a neighbor's house or a cell phone outside the house.

* Do not return to the house until a professional has examined your home.

If there's no heat coming from your vents, check the following possibilities:

* If you have a gas furnace, check the pilot light to make sure it's lit.

* Make sure the thermostat is set to heat

* Check your fuse box to see if any circuit breakers are flipped the wrong way or to make sure a fuse hasn't blown. Reset the circuit breaker or change the fuse if necessary.

* Make sure the furnace is turned on. Look for the power button.

* The motor may have overheated, so wait 10 minutes and restarting the system.

* Check the thermostat to make sure it is on and is set for at least three degrees hotter than the registered room temperature.

* If all these steps don't work, call a professional HVAC technician for a service check.

If heat is coming from the vent, but not enough heat, try the following:

* Check the thermostat to make sure it is set to the right temperature.

* Check the heating registers - make sure they are open and nothing is obstructing them.

* Check the filter. Change it if it's dirty.

* If these steps don't help, call a professional HVAC technician and ask him or her to check the blower and the overall system.

If the motor is running, but you can't feel any air moving:

* The belt that connects the motor to the blower may be broken.

* If you feel confident changing a belt yourself, you can do so (check your manufacturer's specifications in the owner's manual), but call a HVAC technician if you are not comfortable taking this on yourself.

If the furnace keeps cycling on and off repeatedly:

* Try cleaning the filter.

* Call a technician to see if it's a thermostat or furnace problem.

* Watch to see if the room temperature is vacillating significantly. This also indicates a thermostat or heat anticipator problem.

If your furnace blower is constantly blowing air:

* Make sure the switch is not on "fan". Switch it to "auto" and see if that fixes the problem.

* The limit switch may need adjusting. Your technician can show you how to adjust that.
If the furnace squeals:

* A belt that connects the motor to the fan may have slipped or may need to be repaired.

If the furnace is rattling:

* Check the registers and make sure the panels are screwed on tight.

* Ask your HVAC technician to insert flexible, soft ductwork so the metal ducts won't make so much noise. Metal ducts can be very noisy.