In most cases, your furnace simply operates in the background and you hardly think about it other than making sure to turn it off and on when need be. However, there will come a time where it experiences some issues that demand your attention.
These problems could be minor, or could be big enough to stop the furnace from working altogether. Without any further ado, let’s take a closer look at some of the most common furnace issues, and how you can fix and deal with them.
Furnace Won’t Turn on
An issue that many homeowners have run into at one time or another is the fact that their furnace won’t turn on. If this happens to you, there could be a few reasons why. The furnace might not be getting power, there could be an issue with the thermostat, or a piece of component of the furnace may be broken or out of position.
Because there are lots of potential reasons for this issue, we recommend you reach out to a trusted professional (such as Morris Jenkins furnace service) to come out and inspect your furnace and see if they can locate or understand the issue.
Furnace isn’t Blowing Enough Air
If you find that your furnace is blowing a little less warm air than it used to, it could be cause for concern. It can leave your home cooler than it should be in the winter, and often makes your furnace work harder than it needs to in order to bring your home to the right temperature. A common culprit for your furnace not blowing enough air is a clogged air filter, that is restricting airflow. It could also be a problem with your duct, or your furnace is simply too old or worn out, and is no longer as effective as it once was.
Furnace is Blowing Cold Air
While cold air is lovely in the warm summer months, in the winter, you want your furnace to push out warm air throughout your home. If your furnace is blowing cold air, it signifies a major problem somewhere within the system. In many cases, this is caused by an issue with the gas supply, the pilot light, the flame detector, or something else altogether.
This issue can often be fixed by cleaning or replacing components, but it is often worthwhile to call in a professional so that they can learn the true cause, to save you from having to do a ton of work.
Furnace is Creating Strange Sounds or Scents
When a furnace operates, it is normal to hear a bit of sound. It is a large system, and people shouldn’t expect it to be completely silent. But over the weeks and months, you will get used to the sounds it creates. If you begin to hear new and loud sounds like cranking, buzzing, banging, screeching, or grinding, it is important to turn the system off and get it inspected before more damage can be done. It could be a sign that a component is damaged, missing, or in the wrong place.
In addition to strange sounds, strange furnace scents could also be a sign that something is wrong. If you smell burning plastic, a musty scent, or sewer, it could indicate a problem within your furnace. The first thing you should do is turn off the system, and then immediately call a professional. Leaving the system on in these situations could be cause for concern, as the scent could come from something dangerous like burnt wires, a failing motor, or even a gas leak.
Furnace is Short-Cycling
If your furnace is constantly short-cycling, that means it is constantly turning off and on without actually reaching your desired temperature. Not only is this quite annoying, but it can also ruin the efficiency of your furnace and can lead to much greater wear and tear on the system. The causes of a short-cycling furnace are plentiful, so having an expert come in and determine the true cause is a good idea. It could be a dirty air filter, an issue with the thermostat, problems with the flame sensor, or even indicate the presence of a problematic fan limit switch.
We hope this blog post has been able to help you learn about some of the most common heater problems, and how to fix them.