If your furnace has stopped working, you may indeed need a professional heating contractor to perform a furnace repair. Unfortunately, an average furnace repair service call will cost you between one and two hundred dollars to diagnose the problem and do an easy fix. Before, you take that step, however, try our easy-to-use troubleshooting guide. It’s safe to do some basic furnace repair work as long as you are moderately careful.

• Always start with the thermostat. It is easily broken, dirtied or otherwise rendered unusable. Plus, it is easily and affordably replaced. Make sure that the fan will turn on and that the device will activate the burner. If not, the replacement of a thermostat is easily within the capabilities of most people.

• Next check as much of the wiring as possible. Small breaks, corrosion or even loose connections can completely stop the functioning of the furnace. Again, these fixes are easily accomplished.

• Make sure the emergency shut off switch is in the on position. This switch is usually in a red box located at the top your basement stairs.

These next two fixes are slightly more complicated but can easily be completed in under four hours.

• For older units with standing pilot lights, check that the pilot light is on and is actually touching the thermocouple unit. If not, the thermocouple must be replaced.

• Similarly, check the level of fluid in the condensate reservoir. If it is full, remove any debris and check that the float switch on the pump motor is not obstructed. Again, if nothing works, replacement is the only solution.

A furnace repair can get progressively more complicated and time consuming after these steps. While there is nothing technically difficult about performing a major furnace repair, a professional heating contractor can usually do it in half the time and for a fraction of the cost. In addition, they can advise you as to whether or not the furnace has seen better days.