What Are The Most Common Furnace Problems?
Having a reliable furnace makes all the difference for staying warm during cold snaps in Daytona Beach, FL. But even with the utmost care and maintenance, furnaces sometimes experience problems. A trained technician can quickly inspect and diagnose the problems to choose the right fix. Let’s take a close look at 10 of the most common furnace problems for homes in Florida.
Failed Ignitor
The pilot light on your furnace is what lights the gas that heats the air. Electric heaters normally have electric ignitors instead of pilot lights. When this part fails, the heater won’t produce heat. Normal wear and a lack of maintenance are the main contributors to ignitor problems. Power surges can also result in ignitor burnout since they overwhelm the electrical components. If you hear a clicking noise but the furnace won’t fire up, it likely has a failed ignitor. We can replace the faulty part to quickly repair the system and restore comfort.
Clogged Air Filter
Clogged filters restrict airflow, making the heater work harder and use more energy. This not only increases heating costs but also results in unnecessary wear. You might notice weak airflow coming from the vents, hot and cold spots throughout the house and premature repairs. Dirty filters can also lead to short-cycling and tripped safety switches. By swapping out the old filter with a new, clean one, the system will have better efficiency and more consistent heat distribution.
Broken Blower Components
The blower motor is in charge of pushing warm air through the ductwork and into each room. If any part of the blower assembly breaks—motor, fan or belt—the heater won’t be able to move air efficiently. There will likely be certain parts of the home that stay warmer than others. You might also hear a loud hum or rattling noises if the fan is loose or unbalanced. A technician will need to test the motor and inspect the entire assembly to see what’s wrong.
Tripped Circuit Breaker
If the heater won’t turn on at all, the first thing you need to check is the electric panel. A tripped breaker could easily explain why the system has no power. But if the breaker keeps tripping, this could mean you have an overloaded circuit. Every time the heater kicks on, it’ll shut down immediately if this is the case. We’ll have to look at the electrical panel and test the heater’s wiring and load draw to see which repair you need.
Bad Limit Switch
The limit switch is in charge of monitoring the temperature in the furnace. When it exceeds a certain threshold, the limit switch automatically shuts the system down to avoid overheating. If the switch fails or doesn’t function correctly, it can lead to a number of problems. The blower fan might run constantly, even when the furnace isn’t heating. It might also cause the furnace to shut off too early or not turn on at all. All of these scenarios are serious and require expert, immediate attention.
Weird Noises
A banging noise coming from the furnace usually means there’s a delay in ignition or a buildup of gas. This can become dangerous if the gas ignites all at once and causes a small explosion inside the furnace. A whistling or hissing sound may occur when there are airflow problems, like a blocked return vent. Unblocking the vent may take care of the noise problem. If it doesn’t, we’ll have to inspect the blower or duct system for deeper issues. You should never ignore any weird noises. Instead, you should call us so we can pinpoint and fix the underlying issue. This way, you won’t have to deal with system damage or safety risks.
No Warm Air
If the furnace turns on but doesn’t produce warm air, there could be a number of underlying problems. A faulty gas valve will lead to the burners not receiving fuel and prevent them from producing heat. Burners that are dirty with dust and carbon buildup can make the flame flicker or go out, stopping the heating cycle altogether. A full system inspection will be necessary to identify the exact cause and restore proper operation.
Gas Leaks
If you ever suspect a gas leak, you need to turn off the furnace right away and give us a call. Gas leaks affect your HVAC by interfering with proper combustion and reducing system efficiency. But even worse, they can be dangerous to your health. These leaks usually occur because of loose gas valves or cracked supply lines.
Although the gas is clear, you’ll likely notice a smell similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. Exiting the house and waiting for a licensed technician is the safest way to protect your family and home. We might have to replace damaged components or enhance the heater’s ventilation to ensure the problem doesn’t happen again.
Malfunctioning Heat Exchanger
Your heater has a metal chamber on it that heats air without letting exhaust gases mix with it. This part is the heat exchanger. But as time passes, it can crack from heat stress and age. When this happens, it’ll let carbon monoxide leak into your home, creating dangerous situations. Headaches, dizziness and shortness of breath are clear signs of a carbon monoxide leak. The only way to fix a cracked heat exchanger is to replace the entire component.
Keeps Turning On and Off
Problems with short cycling happen when a furnace keeps turning on and off really fast. It often happens when a heater isn’t the right size for a home, which is why professional installation is so important. It can also be the result of a clogged air filter or bad thermostat, among other internal control issues. Short cycling increases wear on the heater and needs an immediate fix to prevent unexpected breakdowns.
One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating is here to help with any furnace problems you run into. Call us now. We’re on time or you don’t pay a dime.
