There are a few reasons water could be leaking from your furnace, the most common reason is due to the condensation produced by either your high-efficiency condensing furnace (heating mode), or the indoor evaporator coil (cooling mode). Under both conditions it is normal for condensation to form during operation which should drain by the connected PVC piping to a drainage source. If the condensation is outside of the existing piping causing a leak, you may have a clogged drain tube or PVC pipe, there could be a damaged condensation line, or an issue with a condensation pump.
In some cases, you may have a leak occur from a whole house humidifier either by its water distribution or drain pan. If a whole house humidifier is the cause, it could highlight possible wear or maintenance issues with your equipment.
If these issues are occurring with your furnace or air conditioning system, you will want to contact a heating and cooling professional to diagnose, assess the damage, and repair the issue as soon as possible. Taking care of any abnormal issues immediately will help prevent any additional damage during the operation of the equipment.
Depending on the size and construction of your air filter, it will likely need to be checked, and replaced a minimum of every three (3) to six (6) months (following the manufacturer’s recommendations).
Factors to consider when determining the frequency at which an air filter needs to be change would be: Do I have pets that shed periodically throughout the year?
Does someone in the household have seasonal or environmental allergies?
How frequently does my heating and cooling equipment run throughout the day?
For narrow width air filters shorter intervals (1-2 months) between changes may be required compared to a thicker width air filter. As the surface area of the air filter traps particles from the air circulating in your home, over time it will begin to also restrict your air flow. A neglected air filter can reduceefficiency, put stress on your equipment, and eventually lead to costly repairs.
For most northern climate homes, the answer is YES! Humidity in your home plays a direct factor to your comfort.
A humidifier will assist with replacing the moisture (humidity) that is lost along with the heat that escapes the home during the heating season. Heat along with moisture(humidity) escapes the home by air leaks through doors, windows, attic spaces, dryer vents, fresh air intakes, bathroom exhaust fans, kitchen rangehoods, etc.
When that moisture escapes the living space it reduces the relative humidity in the home creating a dry environment. If the lost moisture from that environment is not replaced, it can create an unsuitable space for you and your assets.
You may experience dry itchy skin, dry throat and nasal passages leaving you more susceptible to, colds, and respiratory infection.
You may notice cracks in expensive woodwork, floors, artwork, or musical instruments.
If you experience any of the issues mentioned, it would be best to get a home evaluation to determine the best solution for your humidification needs.
Many thermostats use a source of power from batteries, the furnace control board, or some combination of both. If your battery-operated thermostat screen is blank, or not displaying any parameters, it is most likely time to replace the existing batteries.
For any thermostat that accepts batteries as a primary or secondary source of power you will want to first check the batteries and replace them at as needed.
If a thermostat is gaining primary power from the furnace control board and is displaying a blank screen there may be an issue that will require a further investigation with the thermostat, furnace control board, or wiring.
Things you can check:
Make sure the furnace switch is turned to the on position.
Ensure the thermostat is seated properly on the wall mount.