Common Furnace Problems
Furnaces are a crucial part of our homes, especially during winter. Given that these systems can sometimes fail when we least expect, it is highly recommended that you stay prepared in case your furnace encounters problems that need repair.
Learning to identify and repair these problems will save you from uncomfortable nights when your furnace breaks down in the middle of winter. And the best way to troubleshoot and repair your furnace is to understand how it works and have a checklist for your heating system.
This post will equip you with a checklist of the common furnace problems and how to identify them. Here we go!
Top 10 Furnace Problems
- Insufficient heat from the furnace: If your furnace is struggling to produce enough heat for your home, that could be due to a clogged filter. A blocked filter can make the heat exchanger overheat and shut off fast due to reduced airflow through your furnace, which rapidly increases your utility bill.
- Faulty furnace Door Safety Switch: You should check the safety switch on your furnace door if your furnace stops operating. The safety switch stops the fan and burner from starting when the access panel is removed.
- Cluttered Furnace Area: If you do not clear the area around your furnace regularly, material such as lint and dust could accumulate and cause unexpected fires that can be a danger to your pets, family and may even damage your home.
Also, too much clutter in the furnace area may clog the filters hence requiring frequent replacement, which can be expensive and frustrating.
- Bad Limit Switch: If you have a bad limit switch, it can cause the blower to run non-stop, which shortens the blower’s life span. Also, your furnace will not fire if the limit switch is bad because the heating element is shut off, and the blower continues to run to clear the heat until either the system resets or the limit switch closes.
- Rapid Cycling Problems: If you’re your system quickly turns on and off, it may be a result of several causes, such as a worn-out or dirty air filter.
- Furnace Not Blowing Air: Make sure the blower is clear of debris by looking into the inspection window on the furnace. Gas Furnace Blower
- Continuously Running: If your furnace is running non-stop and does not shut off, it indicates a faulty limit control switch, which needs to be repaired. Also, be sure to check your thermostat to see your settings, as that could also be the reason.
- Noisy Furnace or Ductwork: If your furnace is making rumbling, rattling, and squeaking sounds, this indicates that there is either a mechanical problem, reduced airflow, or a burner is clogged. Sometimes the noise could be caused by air running through the ductwork.
If your furnace is producing odd noises, it can be due to an improperly adjusted pilot light or oiling issues with the blower motor lubrication ports.
- Blocked Vents: If the openings of your vents are blocked by a curtain or a piece of furniture, it can prevent heat flow in your home. So be sure to check all over the house for any blocked vents.
- Dirty Flame Sensor: A flame sensor protects your furnace against unsafe combustion of fuel. When your flame sensor is dirty, the furnace may fail to function properly.
The flame sensor is a rod located at the rear end of your furnace next to the burner.
With the furnace problems above, it’s now easier to identify what could be wrong with your furnace. However, before deciding to carry out the repairs by yourself, ensure you have the necessary skills. If you’re unsure what to do, it’s best to have your system inspected and repaired by experts.
You can contact Jamison Heating & Cooling Services for all your furnace issues. We have been doing HVAC repair and maintenance for over two decades, and we take pride in having the knowledge, skills, and tools required to identify and repair any furnace problems, whether big or small. And it’s not just the furnace; our professionals are well versed in repairs, maintenance, and installation of various HVAC systems at an affordable cost.
