1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Home Repair

Troubleshooting Your Home Heating System

Gas Furnace

Let's take a look at the more common problems and furnace or boiler repairs you may have to make. Your furnace may have a standing pilot light or an electronic ignition. Either way we have you covered.

Get that furnace or boiler working

Home Repair Spotlight10

Bob's Home Repair Blog

Your Water Heater. Your Friend.

Sunday November 22, 2009

Gotta love the water heater! Definitely a most convenient appliance. Hot water virtually on-demand is a luxury we've come to take for granted.

But like anything else, it takes energy to run. In the tutorial Water Heater Tips for Saving Energy and Operating Costs I'll explain how to easily save water, energy and money in your monthly utility bills.

If your water heater is on the fritz and needs a little TLC, then Troubleshooting a Tank Type Water Heater is what you want to read. From problems such as not enough hot water to a leaking water heater, it's covered.

And when it's time to replace that old water heater with a nice new, energy efficient unit, you'll just love it. And it's really not that hard to do. In the tutorial Replacing a Water Heater I'll walk you through the process, step-by-step. Doesn't matter if it's a gas or electric water heater. I'll show you how.

Then you can get that warm, cozy feeling yourself!

Replacing a Furnace Thermocouple or Electronic Flame Sensor

Saturday November 14, 2009

When the gas burner in your furnace does not turn on or your pilot light in an older furnace is out, you may find that the problem lies in a little device that controls the gas valve. In an older standing pilot furnace the device is called a thermocouple. In newer electronic furnaces it is called a flame sensor. However they both perform the same basic function, and that is to control gas flow.

In the tutorial Replacing a Furnace Thermocouple or Electronic Flame Sensor I describe how to easily replace a furnace thermocouple in an older style standing pilot furnace or an electronic flame sensor in a newer style electronic ignition furnace.

Of course determining if the thermocouple or flame sensor is your problem is something you need to do. I outline how to troubleshoot a standard furnace in Troubleshooting a Gas Furnace and how to troubleshoot an electronic furnace in Troubleshooting an Electronic Furnace.

Get Your Home Cozy for the Coming Cold Weather

Saturday November 7, 2009

Is it really almost dark at 5:00 PM already?! I am always amazed at how fast the Fall season arrives. It's a beautiful season but it is the last window of opportunity to get your home ready for winter if you live in a colder climate.

In the Tutorial Easy Home Winterizing I'll walk you through an easy to implement, comprehensive list of things to check. From plumbing systems to your roof, we'll walk through each system and hit the major things to check before winter comes so you can enjoy the snow and not worry about your home.

So read on and let Fall, well, "fall in!" 'Cause you'll be ready!

Review: Energizer Swivel Head LED Flashlight

Monday November 2, 2009

This LED Hard Case Swivel Head flashlight by Energizer is part of the Hard Case® Professional® series and is a must have for your toolbox. It's also available in Headlight (head mounted) and small Inspection Light versions.

This swivel head version is reviewed by me in Review: Energizer Hard Case Swivel Head LED Flashlight.

The flashlight operates on 2-AA batteries and is only 7 inches long but produces a very impressive bright white light surpassing many conventional flashlights. Also gone is the wimpy blue LED light that plagued early LED's. The Energizer unit uses new LED technology and is very bright and very white.

It comes with some nice features such as an impact resistant ABS plastic case (rubberized for non-slip), self standing with an adjustable swivel head to get the light where you want it, dual level lighting controls, separate switches for white and colored LED's (red and green for low light applications), a belt clip and more.

This little guy is a workhorse and will be at home and ready for action in your truck, car, toolbox or kitchen drawer. I recommend you give this tool a look.

Explore Home Repair

About.com Special Features

Holiday Central

What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >

Make Your Own Scented Pine Cones

Bring a little of the fall season in your home with this easy-to-make craft. More >

  1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Home Repair

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.