It may not feel much like fall yet in Fort Worth and the surrounding areas, but cooler nights are coming. The first cold night is not when you want to discover that your RV furnace isn’t working.
Whether you live in your RV full time, travel throughout the year, or are getting ready for a fall trip, now is a good time to turn the furnace on and make sure everything is working properly.
Give Your Furnace a Test Run
Even if you don’t need the heat yet, turn your furnace on and let it run through a complete heating cycle.
Pay attention to what happens. The furnace should start normally, produce warm air from the vents, reach the temperature set on the thermostat, shut off and restart when needed.
Listen while it runs, too. Unusual noises, repeated clicking or several attempts to ignite can be signs that something needs attention.
If the blower comes on but you never get heat, or the furnace starts and then shuts down unexpectedly, it’s better to find out now than on a cold night.
Check the Outside Furnace Vent
Take a look at the furnace intake and exhaust area on the outside of your RV.
Dirt, leaves, spider webs and insects can create problems around RV furnace vents. The vent should be clear and unobstructed.
Also look for soot or black discoloration around the exhaust. Soot can be a sign that the furnace is not burning properly and should be inspected by a qualified RV technician.
Do not cover the furnace intake or exhaust with an aftermarket screen unless the furnace manufacturer specifically approves it for your model.
Don’t Forget About Your Propane
Most RV furnaces depend on propane, so this is also a good time to make sure you have an adequate supply and that the rest of your propane system appears to be operating normally.
If you smell propane at any time, turn the furnace off and address the problem immediately. A propane odor should never be considered a normal part of operating an RV furnace.
Your Furnace Needs More Than Propane
Most RV propane furnaces also rely on the RV’s 12-volt electrical system to operate the blower, controls and ignition system. When you’re connected to shore power, your RV’s converter normally supplies that 12-volt power.
That means a furnace that isn’t working properly doesn’t necessarily have a propane problem. Electrical issues, low 12-volt voltage, airflow problems, thermostat issues and furnace components can all affect how the system operates.
This is why diagnosing the problem before replacing parts is important.
Full-Time RVers Should Test Early
For those living full time in an RV, the furnace isn’t just something you use occasionally on a camping trip. When temperatures drop, you depend on it.
Testing it now gives you time to address a problem before you actually need the heat. It also gives you a chance to become familiar with how your furnace sounds and operates when everything is working correctly.
If Something Doesn’t Seem Right, Have It Checked
A furnace that won’t ignite, blows cold air, repeatedly shuts down, makes unusual noises or isn’t heating the RV properly should be diagnosed before colder weather arrives.
RV Mobile Medics Repair & Service provides mobile RV furnace diagnostics and repair throughout Fort Worth and surrounding areas. Service is performed at your location, eliminating the need to haul your RV to a repair shop.
A quick test now can save you from discovering a furnace problem on the first cold night of the season.
Leave a Reply