Furnaces can be dangerous to work on. Unless you are trained, leave any problems to the professionals.
Make sure the power to your furnace is turned off. If not, check your main electrical entrance panel for a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Contact FURNACE REPAIR CINCINNATI for professional help.
Unusual noises, such as banging or whining, may indicate internal issues that only a skilled technician can identify and repair.
Furnaces are remarkably resilient, but even so, certain issues may arise that require a professional. Basic troubleshooting techniques can help you save money by avoiding costly repairs.
Keeping up with the maintenance tasks listed on your furnace manual will greatly increase its longevity. Performing routine tasks like changing the filter, cleaning the blower motor and ensuring the gas valve is open will keep your system in good working order and improve its efficiency.
You should also pay attention to the sounds your furnace makes while running. Any strange noises, especially clangs and rumblings, could be a sign of a problem. Odd smells are also cause for concern. Smells like organic mold, sharp pungent odors or the odor of burning plastic might indicate a safety issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
If your furnace isn’t turning on, first check that its power switch is turned to the ‘On’ position. If it is, then you may have a power surge or outage that shut it off. If that’s not the case, then find your home’s electrical panel and locate the breaker for the furnace. Look for the breaker that controls your furnace and make sure it is not flipped to the ‘Off’ position. If it is, flip the breaker back to the ‘On’ position.
Another common issue is short cycling, which occurs when the system constantly turns on and off in an attempt to heat your house to the desired temperature. This can be a serious issue that causes wear and tear on the system and can lead to higher energy bills and an inefficient home.
Other signs of a problem include your thermostat not staying at the set temperature, or it’s switching between heating and cooling. In both cases, a repair should be scheduled as soon as possible. If the underlying issue is a gas leak or carbon monoxide, you should evacuate your home immediately and call the gas company and a professional technician for emergency repairs. Other repairs, such as a cracked heat exchanger or a malfunctioning blower motor, are complex and need to be addressed by a professional to avoid serious damage.
Inspection
In order to make major repairs on your furnace, a qualified professional will need to examine the interior components of your system. They will look for signs of wear and tear, rust or corrosion. This includes evaluating your blower motor, heat exchanger and electrical connections. They will also check the thermostat and its ability to accurately regulate your home’s temperature settings. In addition, they will inspect your ductwork for any leaks, airflow restrictions or other problems that could be hindering efficiency.
If your furnace turns on and off repeatedly, or it is producing excessive carbon monoxide gas, a professional will need to examine the flame sensor (to ensure it isn’t coated in residue), and your blower fan to make sure it is working properly. If the blower fan is noisy or producing excessive dust, it may need to be cleaned or replaced.
Your professional will also inspect your ductwork to make sure there are no air leaks and that all the vents and registers are open and unobstructed. A blocked vent can cause your furnace to overheat and short cycle, causing expensive repair bills in the future.
An inspection of your gas valve will also be done. The gas valve allows the flow of gas to be switched on or off to control your furnace’s heating capability. A faulty gas valve can lead to overheating, clogging and other damage that requires costly repairs.
Other areas of the furnace that are examined include the blower, draft inducer motor and gas line. The blower is a fan that moves the heated air from the furnace to your home’s ductwork. The blower door airlock switch is also checked for proper operation. Examining the blower drive belt is another important area to make sure there are no cracks or fraying. If the blower is belt-driven, this is something a qualified technician should handle for safety and reliability reasons.
A hot-surface ignitor and electronic spark igniter are both required for the system to work. When the igniters are working correctly, a blue flame is visible through the heat exchanger and the fan turns on to circulate the hot air through your ductwork.
Repair
Performing routine maintenance and making minor repairs can help keep your furnace working efficiently throughout its service life. Before beginning any repair, shut off power to the unit by flipping the electrical switch. Using a multimeter can help you test your furnace for issues like faulty sensors or low voltage.
The most common sign that your furnace needs a repair is a lack of warm air. You may need to check the thermostat setting, relight the pilot light, or replace a dirty filter. Insufficient airflow can also indicate a problem with the blower motor, clogged vents, or a heating element that isn’t properly sized for your home. A professional can help you identify the underlying issue and correct it to restore warmth to your home.
If you notice a puddle of water near your furnace, this is an emergency situation and should be dealt with immediately. The leak is likely due to condensation, and it can damage the interior of your system. A professional East York HVAC technician can find and repair the source of the problem, preventing more costly repairs in the future.
Furnace noises, such as banging or whining, are a sign that your furnace is experiencing issues. It could be a simple fix, such as a loose bolt, or something more serious, like a dying part that requires replacement. A skilled technician can pinpoint the problem and make the necessary repairs to reduce unwanted noises from your heating system.
To prevent furnace problems, perform regular maintenance tasks such as cleaning out the access panels and ductwork. Replacing the furnace filter every 1-3 months can improve air quality and reduce strain on your system. You can also reduce energy usage by lowering the thermostat during sleep hours and while you’re away from home. You can also seal your ducts with metal-backed tape or mastic sealant to reduce leakage. These simple maintenance tasks can go a long way in saving money on your utility bills. Investing in a programmable or smart thermostat can make your home even more efficient, helping you save more money.
Replacement
Often, simple troubleshooting techniques like replacing filters or checking the thermostat can be used to address minor furnace problems. When these issues are addressed promptly, they can prevent them from escalating into more costly repair or replacement procedures down the road. Regular maintenance also supports consistent system operation and extends system lifespan, helping homeowners realize significant savings on energy costs and extending comfort throughout the home.
When a problem is serious enough to warrant professional attention, the technician will assess the system and determine whether it can be repaired or if a replacement unit is required. This decision will be based on factors such as the age of the unit, the cost of repairs and replacement parts and the safety concerns associated with old or worn components.
Furnaces that require constant repair or are over 15 years old will often be more costly to operate and may be more expensive to replace than newer units. This is especially true if the problem is related to a cracked heat exchanger, which can pose a safety risk and lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
Uneven heating throughout the house is another indicator that it is time to invest in a new furnace. The issue could be resolved with a simple thermostat adjustment, but more serious problems such as clogged or dirty filters can make the system work harder than it should. This places unnecessary strain on the unit, and can lead to future breakdowns and sporadic heating throughout the home.
In addition to ensuring that the unit is drawing power, check the circuit breaker in the home’s electrical panel to confirm that it has not been tripped. Also, be sure to keep combustible materials such as rugs and clothing away from the unit.
Lastly, be sure to shut off the gas valve behind the furnace or at the main house-side control where the gas line enters the home. This will ensure that the unit cannot be turned on by accident while you are working in the home or doing yard work. Shutting off the gas will also help you identify the source of any strange odors in the house, which can be indicative of a problem with the furnace or a nearby gas appliance.