If your furnace starts leaking, making loud noises, or not heating the house well, it’s time to call a professional. However, check the power switch directly connected to your furnace before calling for service. It must be flipped up and not tripped to provide the energy supply necessary for heating.
The thermostat is the most essential component in your furnace and is also one of the easiest to fix. If the thermostat fails to turn on your furnace or doesn’t do so promptly, there are a few things you can check first. Contact Furnace Repair Cincinnati for professional help.
The most obvious is to make sure the thermostat is on and set to HEAT. It can be easy to accidentally flip this switch off while doing something else, or the switch may have been shut off by an electrical surge or power outage. You should also check your home breaker box to see if there are any tripped breakers or blown fuses that could be keeping your furnace from turning on.
Another possible problem is dirty or faulty temperature sensors. If a thermostat sensor is contaminated with dust or has electrical problems, it will be difficult to read accurately and can trigger short cycling, which wears down your furnace and reduces energy efficiency. Similarly, a thermostat that isn’t placed in a good location, such as being near a fireplace or other heat sources, can have the same effect.
Finally, if the ignitor isn’t heating up gas to warm up your air, you may need a replacement for this essential part of your furnace. A weak flame is an indicator that there is a larger problem with your furnace and should always be addressed. Leaving it to worsen can lead to costly repairs down the road. Luckily, a simple inspection and cleaning of your furnace can help keep your heating costs low. This is a great task to include in your annual maintenance plan. If you do need a replacement, an HVAC professional can handle the job quickly and affordably.
Gas Valve Issues
The gas valve opens and closes based on signals sent from the thermostat to allow or prevent natural gas into the burner chamber. Over time, dust and debris can accumulate within the gas valve mechanism and affect its performance. Cleaning the movable parts inside the gas valve can help improve its functionality and extend its lifespan.
In addition, the electrical components within a gas valve can become worn out over time and disrupt its proper functioning. Issues such as damaged or frayed wires can result in erratic ignition sequences and the inability of the valve to open and close properly. These issues can also cause a furnace to continuously cycle on and off instead of reaching set temperatures.
If you suspect that your gas valve is faulty, the first thing to do is turn off the gas supply to your home. This step will ensure that no flammable gases enter living spaces and prevent potential accidents during the troubleshooting process. You can also use a multimeter to check the voltage going to the gas valve to see if it is getting power.
The next step is to determine what is causing the malfunctioning of your gas valve. This could be as simple as a tripped breaker switch or a bad gas connection. It could also be a sign of other problems, like a broken thermocouple or a system that is oversized for your home.
The gas valve is an important component of your heating system that controls the flow of flammable gases throughout your home. While there are many DIY projects that you can confidently take on around your home, working with a gas valve requires strict safety precautions to avoid potentially dangerous scenarios such as a gas leak.
Burner Issues
If your furnace isn’t blowing hot air, it’s possible the flame sensor has become coated in residue over time and no longer detects a flame. This can cause the system to shut off when the thermostat tells it to heat up. Inspect the flame sensor regularly and clean it as needed.
A damaged limit switch may also deactivate your furnace. This switch helps the system avoid damaging itself by detecting when its interior temperature reaches unsafely high levels. If the limit switch has been damaged, it will need to be replaced by a professional.
Another common problem with a forced-air system is the blower motor not working. The blower motor moves the warm air from the heater through your house in ducts and distributes it throughout the home. If the blower motor stops working, your entire heating and cooling system will stop working. If you have a belt-driven blower, inspect the drive belt to make sure it’s not cracked or frayed.
You should never ignore any issue with your furnace. Even if you suspect the problem is minor, it’s important to take note of any symptoms so that a specialized technician can diagnose and fix the problem quickly.
If you smell natural gas, turn off your furnace and open windows. It’s possible the system has a leak and is releasing dangerous carbon monoxide into the home. You can call your local natural gas company for a repair man. To determine if the problem is serious, the service man will test for carbon monoxide using a special sensor called a carbon monoxide detector. This will detect carbon monoxide in the air and will emit a strong, distinctive rotten egg odor when it is present.
Drain Line Issues
The unique design of a furnace allows condensation to drain away through the condensate line and into a drip pan. When this drain line becomes clogged, it can cause leaking around the furnace base and water damage throughout your home. Clogs can be caused by dirt, debris, algae growth, and slime buildup. Professional drain line cleaning can prevent future clogs and ensure that your system is functioning properly.
A clogged condensate drain line is often a sign of other problems with your system, such as a cracked heat exchange or blower motor. The best way to avoid costly repairs and protect your investment is by scheduling routine maintenance with a professional HVAC technician.
This will help to ensure that your system is operating properly and that your air filter is clean. Dirty filters can restrict airflow, causing your furnace to work harder and wear down faster. This can lead to an overheated and cracked heat exchange, which can ultimately cause a carbon monoxide leak in your home.
During routine maintenance, your HVAC technician will check the drain line for signs of clogs. Clogged lines are usually caused by dirt, algae, and debris buildup. Regularly checking the line with a wet/dry vacuum can help prevent clogs and reduce the risk of water damage to your home.
If you have an older furnace that is nearing the end of its lifespan, it may be a good idea to replace it instead of repairing it. A newer furnace can be more energy efficient and save you money in the long run. However, it is important to consider the extent of the damage and the upfront costs when making a decision.
Electrical Issues
Furnaces use electricity to heat homes, and any issues with that electrical system can cause problems for your heating equipment. However, you can usually resolve these issues yourself if you know how to troubleshoot them. The first step is to check that your furnace has power. You can do this by checking the circuit breaker or fuse box to make sure that the switch hasn’t been flipped off. The next step is to remove the cover from your thermostat and make sure that there are no loose wires. Loose wires can lead to a short circuit, which will stop your furnace from working. You can also look for signs of a burnt out thermostat or circuit board, which is usually caused by static electricity that builds up on the electrical components and causes them to overheat. If you see that your thermostat is burned out, it’s a good idea to call in a professional for an inspection and repair.
Lastly, you can also check for a bad starting capacitor, which is the electrical component that’s responsible for putting a power surge into the blower motor to start it up. If it fails, the blower motor won’t run, and you’ll need to replace the capacitor with a new one.
If you’re still having issues, you can also try to reset the thermostat and turn it back on. This can often fix the problem by ensuring that your heater is actually plugged in. If the issue persists, you may need to call in a professional for an electrical inspection and repair. They can check your electrical wiring for faulty connections, and they can also determine if the circuit you’re using is adequate for the load of your furnace.