Struggling with your furnace? It can be a real problem to go without your heating in the colder months. Naturally, you’ll want a quick fix. But before you make the call to your local HVAC company, consider running through the items on this list. Many of these issues have easy fixes, so you might be able to get back to normal in a snap.
10 Common Furnace Problems
While there can be any number of reasons for a furnace to act up, we tend to see some issues cropping up more than others. There are a handful of common furnace problems that you can address on your own. For others, you might need to call in the experts.
1. Furnace Door Safety Switch
Removing your furnace door will cause the safety switch to pop out, which then stops the fan and burner from starting up. That door needs to be in place for your furnace to work correctly. If these components aren’t functioning properly, you might have to install a new safety switch.
2. Tripped Circuit Breaker
If your furnace isn’t producing any heat at all, you might want to take a look at your breaker panel. The circuit for your furnace can get tripped for different reasons, but the fix is pretty simple. Flip the breaker and check that it stays in the “on” position to reset the power.
3. Contaminated Burner Flames
Dust can settle on your furnace in the warmer months, so you may need to clean the burners to get the system operational for winter. If the flames look yellow, the burners are probably dirty. Turn off the power and gas, and you should be able to clean them with a vacuum.
4. Faulty Thermostat
Do you have good batteries in your thermostat? Or have your programmed settings gotten thrown off? These can be quick fixes, as long as you think to check them. If everything seems to be fine, there might be another issue with your thermostat setup that’s hurting your furnace.
5. Continuous Fan Setting
It’s nice to have a warm home, but a furnace that won’t stop running can indicate a bigger problem. You’ll want to review your thermostat to be sure. The “continuous fan” setting might be on. Switching it off should get your gas furnace blower to stop wasting energy.
6. Dirty Air Filter
Furnace efficiency relies on a clean air filter to move heat throughout your home. If you haven’t replaced the filter in a month or two, now is the time to swap it out. This is especially true when you’re feeling some warm air coming through the vents, but not enough to keep things comfortable indoors.
7. Blocked Vents
Another reason for a chilly home might be due to your home’s layout. It may not have anything to do with your furnace at all! Be sure to review the air vents in each room. There could be something blocking the openings, which could severely lower your heat flow.
8. Rattling Sounds
When your furnace is loud, you might be dealing with some mechanical issues—even if it’s continuing to produce warm air. Squeaks or grinding sounds might relate to a bad belt or motor bearings. But if the noise is more of a rattle, you might just need to tighten the screws on some loose panels.
9. Noisy Blower Motor
You could also hear sounds from your furnace if you have a blower motor that needs oil. Keeping this part lubricated will help extend the life of your furnace and keep those loud noises for causing any more problems.
10. Cluttered Furnace Area
Finally, sometimes we forget that storing items around our furnace can lower its efficiency. Quickly tidying up around the area can remove dust or lint that is disrupting your system and air filter. Plus, cleaning up will make it easier for an HVAC technician to review your equipment in case you need their expertise.
If you can check these key areas, you might be able to troubleshoot the problem and get back to warm air indoors. But if you need assistance, know that Tradewinds Heating And Cooling, Inc. is here to help. Give our team a call, and we’ll help you get your furnace in order.
