Common Winter Furnace Problems And How To Troubleshoot

home heating

Every person who owns a home should know how to troubleshoot their furnace. When the warm weather fades and the cold weather kicks in, it is vital to know something about the heating system in your home. Although a furnace can last for a while, it will wear out and need extra maintenance. At some point, even the best HVAC system will have a problem. If you are not an HVAC technician, it probably isn’t possible for you to fix every issue. However, there are a few furnace troubleshooting tips you can learn.

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Furnace Troubleshooting Tips That Every Homeowner Should Be Aware Of

Here we will talk about the most straightforward troubleshooting tips for your furnace.

The Furnace Needs Maintenance

When the temperatures outside are freezing, furnaces will turn on more often and run longer. If you do not maintain your furnace on a regular schedule, it will have to work even harder. This will increase the need for more furnace repairs. You can avoid many furnace issues by keeping your furnace maintained. An HVAC company will inspect your furnace and perform tune-ups on your schedule. It is always better to have your furnace inspected and maintained than it is to wait until it breaks down and ends up costing more money.

Troubleshooting Tip: Have your home heating system inspected yearly.

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HVAC Filter Is Dirty

Dirty furnace filters are one of the most common problems with furnaces. The air filter on your furnace catches dirt, dust, and debris to keep it from circulating in your home. If the filters aren’t cleaned or replaced often enough, they will get clogged up. Consequently, your furnace will not run efficiently.

Troubleshooting Tip: Be sure to inspect the furnace filter every month and then clean or replace it.

 

The Furnace Ignition Or Pilot Has Problems

If the electric ignition is not working, you could have an electrical problem on your hands. Your furnace will not heat your home if the pilot light goes out. If the furnace works with electric ignition, do not light the pilot light until you have performed more inspection.

Troubleshooting Tip: If the furnace does have power, you can relight it. However, be sure to check the furnace manual for instructions. If the furnace does not have power, check the circuit breaker. If the circuit breaker tripped, fix that before you check the pilot and ignition. Be sure to look for any drafts or clogs. If your furnace will not relight, call an HVAC technician right away.

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The Thermostat Is Not Working

If you turn your thermostat up and the furnace does not kick on, the thermostat might be damaged. If the thermostat does not display readings, the problem may be as simple as needing new batteries. This will not be costly unless you require a thermostat replacement.

Troubleshooting Tip: You can reset the thermostat by turning off the furnace and then turning it back on or by simply turning off the power. If batteries are not the issue, call an HVAC company for assistance.

thermostat

Cold Air Is Coming From The Furnace

If your furnace is not blowing warm air, the problem could be that you did not set your thermostat correctly. Also, your filter may be clogged, the gas or power ran out, or the pilot light is not lit. The problem could be that the furnace is not the right size for the space it needs to heat. To find out if your furnace is the right size for your home, call an HVAC technician. If your furnace is not large enough, you will need to get a bigger furnace.

Troubleshooting Tip: Clean or replace the filter, check the pilot light and check the fuel or the power. Make sure the thermostat is set for the right temperature.

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The Furnace Cycles Too Often

Furnaces that run through short and frequent cycles are not functioning correctly. If your furnace is constantly turning on and off, there are a few different reasons it could be happening.

It may not be reading the temperature right, the filters may be dirty, the furnace may be the wrong size, or it is overheating.

Troubleshooting Tip: First, check your thermostat to make sure it is working as it should. If it is exposed to direct heat such as from a stove or sunlight, the furnace may be reacting to the wrong temperature. However, if the problem is not the thermostat, contact a certified HVAC professional to ask about the size of your furnace. Likewise, if the heat exchanger is damaged, call an HVAC technician immediately.

furnace short cycling

Furnace Blower Continuously Runs

If the blower on your furnace does not stop when it should, the problem could be in the limit switch. Some furnaces have a limit switch that can be turned off and on manually.

Troubleshooting Tip: If your furnace has that switch, check to see if it is set to go off automatically or if it is in the manual position. If you leave the switch set to automatic, the fan will turn off as it should. If the limit switch is damaged, an HVAC technician will need to address the problem.

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The Furnace Is Noisy Or Gives Off A Bad Odor

If your furnace is making banging, screeching or clicking noises, there is a problem. A strange odor is another sign of a problem.

Troubleshooting Tip: Check the filters and see if the airflow is blocked. If the burner is clogged with debris or the problem is a mechanical issue, do not try to fix it by yourself. This is a problem for your HVAC company.

Contact McAllister Energy For Furnace Repair Needs

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As a homeowner, you should know how to check for some of the furnace issues that arise. You should have some idea of how your heating system works and what you can handle by yourself. You will not need a technician for every problem. However, you will need a trusted HVAC company for many that do arise.

McAllister Energy offers top HVAC services in the local area. We hire only the best NATE certified HVAC technicians. Our experienced techs have the knowledge and skills to service your system. We can handle heating and cooling installations, inspections, tune-ups, replacements, repairs, and more.

If your furnace needs a repair, replacement, or tune-up, you can rest assured that McAllister Energy can do the job to your satisfaction. Our service rates are competitive. If your system needs a replacement, we will recommend an HVAC system that fits your budget. We care about our customers. Energy efficiency, client comfort, and indoor air quality are our top priorities. If you are experiencing furnace problems, or have questions about your furnace, contact McAllister Energy today to schedule a free in-home estimate.

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