Furnace Troubleshooting Tips For Every Homeowner

 

Furnaces are designed and built tough to last. However, just like any other machine, they can still malfunction. When this happens, it can disrupt your home’s safety and comfort. It is not recommended to address every issue your furnace has with a do-it-yourself solution. But it doesn’t hurt to know a few furnace troubleshooting methods you can try doing.

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Furnace Troubleshooting Tips For Every Homeowner

Below, we discuss some of the common furnace problems that homeowners encounter. We also share troubleshooting tips that can help:

Lack Of Furnace Maintenance

A furnace that does not receive routine maintenance checks is more likely to break down. This is due to the component wear and tear, and other damages that might happen to it as time passes. Regular furnace troubleshooting and tune-ups are relatively simple. The latter is conducted annually by an HVAC professional who can also perform repairs when needed. This way, small issues are addressed immediately. Do not wait until your heating unit incurs serious damage. The damage might be so severe by then that costs for repair will skyrocket, or it might need to be replaced instead.

Troubleshoot: Have a certified HVAC technician conduct furnace maintenance at least once a year.

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Clogged Furnace Filter

Air filters make sure that dust, dirt, and other debris are not circulated along with the conditioned air throughout your house. This way, the air you breathe in is clean and safe. When you are troubleshooting a heating system, one of the usual problems you will encounter is a dirty filter. This is because the dust and other particles accumulate in the filter. As time passes, your filter will become blocked with dirt and won’t work as efficiently.

Troubleshoot: Check the furnace air filter at least once a month. A dirty filter should be cleaned or replaced as needed.

 

Issues With Electric Ignition Or Pilot Control

Electric ignition issues are most likely due to an electrical problem. When a furnace has a pilot that is out, it means the furnace cannot heat your home. Do not light your furnace manually if it utilizes an electronic igniter. Refer to the owner’s manual to re-light the furnace, but only if it has power.

Troubleshoot: If the electric pilot is out, it might be because the circuit breaker tripped. Fix this problem and recheck the furnace. Check if there are any drafts and clogs as well. Contact a certified HVAC technician if the unit still isn’t re-lighting.

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Faulty Thermostat

If you turn on your furnace via the thermostat, but the unit is not responding, it might be because your thermostat is malfunctioning. Troubleshooting is a relatively easy and inexpensive job unless the thermostat needs to be replaced. You can also try changing the batteries with new ones if the thermostat switches on but does not display temperature readings.

Troubleshoot: Reset the thermostat. Do this by switching the furnace on and off, or turning off the power to the system completely. Make sure that the batteries aren’t drained by changing them every so often. If these do not work, contact a professional HVAC contractor to check the unit.

 

Furnace Produces Cold Air

A few reasons your furnace is producing cold air are a clogged filter, incorrect temperature setting, fuel or power shortage, and unlit pilot light. The furnace might also be the wrong size and, therefore, cannot heat the zone it is supposed to.

Troubleshoot: Ensure that the furnace size is correct by contacting an HVAC technician. A too-small unit needs to be replaced with a correctly sized one. You should also clean or replace the filter, see to it that the thermostat has the correct setting and that the unit has enough oil and is receiving power. Make sure that the pilot light is working as well.

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Frequent Short Cycling

Furnace short cycling is when your furnace turns on and off repeatedly in short intervals. This malfunction is noticeable as your unit will have quick and consistent bursts of activity. Short cycling can be caused by several reasons. These include overheating, blocked air filters, incorrect sizing, or wrong temperature readings.

Troubleshoot: Make sure that the thermostat is working correctly. You should also ensure that it is neither receiving direct light from the sun; nor should it be near any external heat source such as a stove. If it is, then it will likely show you an incorrect temperature reading. Contact a licensed HVAC technician to check if you have the right furnace size for your home. Also, if the heat exchanger is damaged, call an HVAC professional immediately.

 

Furnace Fan Continuously Runs

A furnace fan should only run in the middle of a heating cycle. If it does not stop running even if your unit is not heating, then there might be an issue with the limit switch. The fan limit switch can be switched off manually in some models. Check the manual or the automatic position to see if the same applies to your unit. If it is, follow the instructions and make the correct adjustments on your furnace.

Troubleshoot: Set the limit switch to AUTO to stop the fan from running continuously. If you have a malfunctioning limit switch, call your local HVAC technician to take a look at your furnace.

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Furnace Releases Strange Noise Or Smells

Although you expect a certain level of noise from your furnace, there are a few sounds that should not be ignored. Booming, clanging, clicking, and screeching sounds can be signs of trouble. A unit that is emitting an unusual scent can also mean that there might be an issue.

Troubleshoot: Check the air filters and other possible airflow clogs. If it has a blocked burner or if the unit is experiencing mechanical issues, do not attempt a DIY furnace repair. Get in touch with a professional HVAC technician instead.

Call Miller Oil Company When You Need Furnace Repair Or Replacement Services

Understanding how your furnace works goes a long way when it comes to making sure that it can provide you with heat when you need it. With the right information, homeowners can perform simple heating troubleshooting methods safely. This way, your heating unit can work efficiently for a very long time.

Miller Oil Company provides excellent heating and cooling services at competitive costs. Our staff of NATE certified technicians can deliver high-quality HVAC maintenance, installations, repairs, and replacements. Our professional HVAC contractors are some of the best in the area and can service your HVAC unit correctly and quickly.

When you require heating system repair or replacement, do not hesitate and contact Miller Oil Company. We have the most competitive furnace repair and replacement rates in the area. If you need a replacement system, our techs can help you from start to finish while making sure to stay within your budget. We always ensure that you receive the comfort, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality that you deserve. Schedule your free, in-home estimate with us today.

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