Lennox thermostat question

TrishP · 12-20-2009, 09:56 AM

Brrrr! We just experienced that crazy snowstorm on the east coast yesterday, and my HVAC thermostat seems to have become confused, as of last night. I can make the heater kick on by either flipping the breaker switch or by turning the heater on and off at the wall thermostat. But the system seems to think it's reached it's goal within 3 minutes, and it turns off. The house's temp is slowly dropping.

I know NOTHING about such things. Is it possible that something necessary has become covered outside? Any ideas about what I need to do, beyond waiting until I can get a repairman here?

Advice would be much appreciated.

Marty S. · 12-20-2009, 10:08 AM

If your furnace has plastic vents go outside and clean the snow off of them.

yuri · 12-20-2009, 10:25 AM

Clear a large path away from the vent pipes outside so the exhaust does not recirculate into the intake pipe. Check for snow/ice buildup in both of them and stick a bottle brush into them to be sure. Use a hairdryer to thaw them if necessary.

TrishP · 12-20-2009, 10:30 AM

Thanks, Marty and Yuri. I'll ask if any of my neighbors know where the vents are--we're under 22 inches of snow, so I'm not sure where to dig. But at least that's a start!

yuri · 12-20-2009, 10:37 AM

Follow the vent pipes from the furnace, they are 2-3 inch plastic and you can see where they go outside. If thru the roof then you need a ladder and be SAFE or get a Pro/chimney company to climb it and check the pipes. You may want to call a heating tech as something else could be wrong with the furnace.