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Many people don't need an owner's manual to go into “panic mode” -- when their Trane XE80 furnace goes on the fritz, it's often a natural reaction. However, many heating and air conditioning professionals say furnace issues often can be resolved by going through some simple troubleshooting steps; a quick tweak or adjustment might be all that's required. So put your sense of panic on the back burner and shore up your confidence by grabbing your Trane owner's manual to get started. At the very least, you'll save yourself the expense of a service call.
The Basics
Upflow/ Downflow Horizontal Right or Left Gas-Fired Furnace XL 80 TUD2A040A9242A TUD2A060A9362A TUD2B060A9362A TUD2B080A9362A TUD2B080A9482A TUD2B100A9362A TUD2C100A9482A TUD2C100A9602A TUD2D100A9602A TUD2C120A9542A TUD2D120A9602A TUD2D140A9602A TDD2A040A9242A TDD2A060A9362A TDD2B060A9362A TDD2B080A9362A. Shown in the Service Facts accompanying this furnace. When a furnace is installed so that supply ducts carry air circulated by the furnace to areas outside the space containing the furnace, the return air shall also be handled by a duct(s) sealed to the furnace casing and terminating outside the space containing the furnace.
It's easy to overlook the basics, especially if your furnace is not producing enough heat or isn't turning on at all. But many furnace technicians begin with the basics, and you should, too. First, ensure that your gas is turned on. Check the gas valve at the gas company's meter. Then check the shutoff valve on your furnace. Second, verify that your thermostat is set to “heat.” Then check the room temperature and the set temperature. Your furnace will not turn on if the room temperature is already higher than the set temperature. If the room temperature is lower, try setting the temperature a few degrees higher than usual, and wait for the furnace to turn on. Third, check the furnace's circuit breaker on your home's circuit breaker box and reset it, if necessary. The circuit breaker for your furnace should be clearly marked to guide your best efforts in circumstances like these. If it's not, now is a good time to identify it with a permanent marker or masking tape.
The All-Important Filter
Your furnace is more dependent on a clean filter than you might realize. One that is choked with dust, dirt and other debris can impugn your furnace's efficiency, cause it to overheat and even shut it down. So slide the filter out of your furnace and hold it up to a light or shine a flashlight behind it. If you can't see light shining through it, replace the filter with a new one. Check your filter every month, although you might have to replace it only once every three months. Since a furnace is often out of sight and therefore out of mind, check the filter right after paying your gas bill. Always keep an extra filter on hand.
House Factors
Closed or blocked registers can undermine your furnace too. So go room to room in your home and check the registers. They should be open and unobstructed by furniture, window treatments or other objects. If you close registers in unused rooms, try to stick to the 20 percent rule -- closing no more than 20 percent of all the registers in your home. Closing more could place stress on your furnace and the ducts.
The Furnace Itself
If your troubleshooting efforts are failing to produce results at this point, press the furnace reset button on your furnace. If the furnace still doesn't start, wait 30 minutes and press the button again.
Service Call
Try not to think of making a service call as a cop-out; it could be a blessing in disguise, especially if your furnace hasn't been tuned up in more than one year. Furnaces require regular cleaning and lubricating to ensure their smooth and reliable operation and longevity. An annual furnace tune-up also can expose minor problems before they balloon into bigger, more expensive repairs.
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About the Author
With education, health care and small business marketing as her core interests, M.T. Wroblewski has penned pieces for Woman's Day, Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal and many newspapers and magazines. She holds a master's degree in journalism from Northern Illinois University.
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