(707) 539-4533 |  Sonoma Napa and Marin Counties

Furnace Repair: 10 Common Furnace Problems (And How to Fix Them)

by | Jan 17, 2022 | HVAC

Furnace Repair: 10 Common Furnace Problems (And How to Fix Them)

Winter is upon us, and we depend on the furnace to create a cozy home during the festive season. We present 10 Common Furnace Problems (And How to Fix Them) in this blog post to help you if the heat doesn’t come through the vents. The solutions are kept simple and within the scope of safety. For anything but the obvious, a trained and certified furnace repair technician must be consulted for any air-conditioning-services-in-santa-rosa and repairs.

 

1) Lack of Regular Maintenance

 

Annual inspections and maintenance work are central to a trouble-free furnace. The best time is either at the end of the summer or the beginning of fall. If you neglected to have the furnace serviced for a few years, you could expect it not to respond. Most of the problems on this list can be prevented through annual inspections by a trained furnace technician.

 

2) Thermostat Problems

 

The thermostat is the control interface of the furnace. Ensure that the fans are set to AUTO, meaning that they will switch on and off as required for efficient heat distribution throughout the house. If batteries power the thermostat controller, check that they are not run down – it is good practice to replace the batteries during the annual inspection. See that the correct temperature is set on the thermostat, and it’s not set to OFF or COOL. A temperature setting too close to the ambient temperature will not turn on the furnace.

 

3) Dirty or Clogged Filters

 

The air filters prevent dust, debris and other pollutants from blowing into the house through the furnace ducts. The filters become clogged with everything in the air, preventing clean air from flowing through the filter into the room. Regular cleaning or replacing the filters is necessary and easily performed, often outlined graphically in the owner’s manual.

 

4) Pilot Light

 

A bad pilot light will cause problems with the efficient functioning of the furnace, or it may indicate other issues. A quick visual inspection will resolve whether the pilot light is the culprit. It should be burning brightly. Any flickering or discoloration, especially towards yellow, may indicate excessive carbon monoxide in the furnace. If, however, the pilot light is out, follow the instructions in the manual to relight it, but do not repeatedly perform this procedure. If the pilot light is suspect, turn off the gas and contact the furnace repair technician. Never attempt to fix a pilot light yourself.

 

5) Frequent ON/OFF Cycling

 

A furnace that continuously turns on and off indicates there is something wrong. The most common causes are a faulty thermostat, clogged air filters or improper airflow. Check the filters and the thermostat for the apparent problems, as mentioned above.

 

6) Blower Runs Continuously

 

The cause can be that the blower is set to ON, not AUTO, on the thermostat, or the limit switch is malfunctioning. Verify the setting on the thermostat. Otherwise, the limit switch is causing the blower to run continuously. Only a furnace technician should attempt to replace the switch.

 

7) Noises

 

A furnace is not quiet, but it must not sound like a steam locomotive. The cause of any rattling, pinging or screeching sounds should be cause for concern. Screeching noises often indicate that the blower belt is frayed or damaged and needs replacing; grinding sounds could be caused by worn-out ball bearings in the electric motor, and rattling noises are probably loose duct panels. Whichever the cause, get a furnace technician to inspect the system.

 

8) Leaking Water

 

It seems counter-intuitive, but a properly working furnace generates a fair amount of water. Most of this is in the form of condensate. This water is typically drained away through pipes. If water puddles are present around the furnace, it probably means that the pipes are clogged or have developed a leak. Only a technician should investigate the cause.

 

9) Inspect the Gas Line

 

This line is usually the number one reason why a furnace won’t heat up. There are many reasons why gas can’t reach the furnace, ranging from forgetting to open the valve to the gas company shutting it off for maintenance works in the area. We recommend a visual check of the valves and lines and a phone call to the gas company before calling the furnace technician.

 

10) The Furnace is Busted

 

A furnace has a finite working life, usually fifteen to twenty years. It will be subjected to normal wear and tear during those years, despite annual inspections and air-conditioning-services-in-santa-rosa, which will eventually cause major components to fail or break. A cracked heat exchanger is common, especially when the furnace has worked very hotly for prolonged periods and then subjected to rapid cooling. A reliable HVAC technician will provide an accurate assessment and propose a solution based on the overall condition of the furnace.

 

We have to repeat – annual inspection and maintenance of the furnace will significantly reduce the occurrence of breakdowns and mitigate furnace repair calls. Please do not wait until your gas furnace breaks before calling your technician. Also, do not attempt to repair the furnace yourself.

How to Tackle Common Gas Furnace Problems

by | May 24, 2018 | Heating, HVAC

Owning a gas furnace can be a wonderful way to stay warm when the weather is chilly, and we still haven’t quite reached the start of summer. That means there’s still plenty of time for cold weather to sneak into your life over the next month or so. Don’t turn your furnace off just yet! Moreover, make sure that you’re still taking excellent care of your furnace so that you can avoid common gas furnace problems while you’re still using it. Sometimes it isn’t easy to know how to take care of a heating system as complex as a gas furnace, but knowing where to turn for help can make all the difference. Look no further: we’re here to assist you.

Below, you’ll find an overview of how to deal with common gas furnace problems. Use this to make sure that you’re never caught off guard by an issue with your gas furnace, and that you can stay toasty warm until the weather warms up for good.

Six Common Gas Furnace Problems (Along with Fixes)

Common Gas Furnace ProblemsThese are the complaints we receive from furnace owners most often. If one of these problems is affecting you, look at the information beneath and see whether it helps or not.

  • No Hot Air Coming from the Unit

A furnace that is not producing any warm air at all may not be receiving enough gas. Inspect the gas lines and see that they are in proper condition. Your pilot light may also be dirty. Look—but don’t touch! Pilot lights are sensitive and should only be handled by qualified HVAC technicians. If you check both of those issues and still can’t find the problem, your thermostat might merely be set wrong. Otherwise, the problem is likely electrical, and you should contact a professional.

  • Not Enough Hot Air Blowing from the Unit

When the unit is only blowing a small quantity of warm air, it could be due to a dirty filter. If filters are left alone for long enough, they become congested with dust, dirt, and other airborne contaminants. Over time, this can prevent air from moving freely into and through your ducts. Change your filters on a monthly basis to avoid this problem and arrange for duct cleaning every 2-5 years.

  • The Air Coming from the Unit is Too Cool

If the system is running, but the air is blowing cold, the problem is most likely either with your thermostat or your pilot light. Check the thermostat yourself, but leave the pilot light to a professional.

  • The System Starts and Stops Frequently

When a furnace starts and stops quickly, it’s called short cycling. Short cycling is bad news because it means you’ve probably been using a furnace that isn’t the right size for your building. If you notice persistent short cycling, stop using it and call the company that installed it for you. Have them check the unit and make sure that it’s the right size—especially if your system is still relatively new.

  • The Blower Will Not Stop Running

When the blower motor in your furnace never turns off, it might be due to a problem with the limit switch. Replacing the limit switch isn’t easy, so call a licensed HVAC technician to deal with the problem and don’t use the system until they’ve done so.

  • The Furnace is Making Strange Noises

If your furnace is making a banging noise, the blower motor could have come loose inside the unit. If that is the case, it may be dangerous to continue using the furnace until you can have the problem resolved. Other noises can indicate that your burner has become clogged, or that you have a significant blockage in the system impacting its airflow. In any of these cases, it is best to leave the furnace alone until you have called a professional.

Some Common Gas Furnace Problems Can be Dealt with Alone, but Others Can’t be Risked

It is vital to note the difference between a problem you can solve yourself and one that must be attended to by an experienced HVAC technician. Make sure you don’t take the problem with your furnace as an opportunity to “teach yourself” a new skill. The only thing you’re likely to teach yourself is what a new furnace costs. Watching your contractor work can be an excellent way to pick up general maintenance tips, but it’s best to leave severe problems to people who have been dealing with them for years.

You deserve to enjoy your furnace, especially when there’s still potential for cold weather in your area. Make sure you keep the guide above close by at all times and consult it if you encounter any anomalies in the way your furnace performs. We hope you’ll manage to avoid any problems and make it into the summer without a care in the world.

Dust Mites in your HVAC Ducts

Check with us here at Valley Comfort Heating and Air, our customers love our attention to detail and our friendly, affordable service. (707) 539-4533