Have you ever had a furnace that just won’t seem to work? Most homeowners have had to make a service call or two in the winter.
There are many common problems that homeowners can access or inspect even if they feel uncomfortable with repairs.
You may think this is something only an HVAC technician can do, but with the right knowledge of what to look for on your furnace, you can save some money by doing it yourself.
That’s where this blog post comes in handy!
We are going to walk you through 20 common furnace repair problems and how-to fixes so that you are able to troubleshoot your own system before calling expensive service technicians.
Whether you have a conventional gas furnace or a high-efficiency gas furnace understanding problems is key to furnace repair
The following are the most common furnace repair problems:
– Furnace will not turn on
– Furnace runs but does not generate heat
– Furnace makes strange noises
-Furnace power switch
-Flame sensor
Problem #01: Heater isn’t turning on at all –
Gas furnaces, central heating, or heating and air conditioning, there is most likely an electric ignition.
This is a problem that can be caused by a few different things.
One may be that your filter needs to be replaced.
A dirty filter will cause your unit not to turn on because it’s too clogged with dirt and dust.
If you have a programmable stat, make sure the filter to your heater is programmed for this type of check.
Another thing that can cause a heater not to turn on is if there’s an electrical problem going on with it.
To fix this issue, simply check all wires and connections between them and your furnace unit itself
Be sure to check your filter and replace it if necessary.
How to replace your furnace air filter:
Air flow is very important with electric and gas furnaces and can be checked without calling HVAC experts.
If you can see that the filter is dirty, be sure to change it. Especially if you have a central heat and air conditioning unit.
If not, feel around the furnace opening and look for lint or dust on your hands.
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If there’s some sort of buildup of dirt inside it might just need a good vacuuming out before replacing with a new one.
When it comes to gas furnace repair, start with the furnace door, make sure that it shut completely.
Problem #02: Furnace is running, but not heating properly –
This could be because the furnace isn’t getting enough fuel.
Be sure to check your gas levels and make sure everything is turned on correctly.
If there are no problems with the fuel supply, you may need to call a furnace repair company.
Make sure to check the electrical wiring and connections to your furnace.
Problem #03: Furnace is making strange noises –
This could be a sign that there is something wrong with the furnace and it needs to be serviced.
Don’t try to fix this problem yourself, call a professional furnace repair company.
Problem #04: Furnace Problems, isn’t blowing out hot air –
If your furnace isn’t blowing out hot air, it may be because the furnace filter is clogged with dirt and dust.
Changing your gas furnace filter will solve this problem quickly.
If changing your filter doesn’t help, you may need to call a furnace repair company for assistance.
The Gas Furnace Blower is the heating and cooling systems component that sends conditioned air from the furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner into the home.
The blower motor forces it through the duct system and out the vents in rooms throughout the house.
Problem #05: Furnace smells strange –
This could be an indication that there is something wrong with the furnace and it needs to be serviced.
Don’t try to fix this problem yourself, call a professional.
Problem #06: Furnace runs constantly –
This could be a sign that the furnace filter is dirty and needs to be replaced.
Be sure to change your furnace filter on a regular basis to avoid this problem.
This can be a common problem and there is no need for costly technicians inspection
Problem #07: Heat is inconsistent –
Inconsistent heat can be an issue with the heat exchanger, blower motor, or even the high limit switch.
This could be a sign that the furnace isn’t working properly and needs to be serviced.
Don’t try to fix this problem yourself, call a gas furnace repair professional.
Problem #08: Pilot light is out –
One of the easiest furnace repairs is checking your pilot light!
If your furnace isn’t turning on at all, the pilot light could be out.
This is a problem that can usually be fixed by holding down your thermostat button for 30 seconds or until it clicks off and then back on again.
Problem #09: Not enough heating power –
When it comes to furnace repairs, the heat exchanger, air filters
If you are feeling cold spots in different areas of your house, this could be a sign that the furnace isn’t working properly and needs to be serviced.
Don’t try to fix this problem yourself, call a professional.
Problem #11: Furnace is leaking water –
If your furnace is leaking water, it’s time to call a furnace repair company for assistance.
Problem #12: Furnace is making weird electrical noises –
If your furnace is making weird electrical noises, it’s time to call a professional.
Problem #13: Humidity levels are too high or low –
This could be a sign that the furnace isn’t working properly and needs to be serviced.
Don’t try to fix this problem yourself, call a professional.
Problem #14: Furnace smells like gas –
This could be an indication that the furnace is leaking natural gas and it needs to be serviced immediately.
Call your local emergency number for assistance right away if you smell natural gas coming from your furnace!
Problem #15: Heat is out on one side of the house-
Heat is only coming out on one side of the house, the other side is cold. what should I do?
You may need to schedule a furnace repair company to take a look.
It could be that the heat exchanger on your heating system has cracked or broken, this usually happens if one of its sides has been too hot for too long.
It’s best to get heat exchangers replaced rather than repaired by a professional technician because they are filled with poisonous asbestos gasses which can cause an assortment of health problems if inhaled.
A common area where cold air returns is around windows and doors, especially older ones made of single panes of glass or aluminum frames instead of vinyl or modern construction materials. you want to make sure that these
Problem #16: Check Your Thermostat–
Here are a few thermostat checks to conduct yourself:
-Check the battery on your home’s thermostat unit. You may need batteries changed every year or if needed soon enough after they expire.
-If wired into an electrical system in order for it to operate properly (some models require power), make sure that you have turned off at least one circuit breaker before installing new wires by running them through since there will be extra load placed onto this switch when replacing old ones with newer technology.
-Open the thermostat and gently blow any dust or debris that may have clogged it. Make sure your electronic/programmable model’s date/time is correct – these systems often use a timer for an automatic turn-on at certain times of the day.
Flip breaker if necessary, replacing A fuse in case anything goes wrong with this step too! Once everything checks out nicely:
Congratulations-you’s just saved yourself some money from having to hire someone else to do all those annoying things we humans tend not to want to be doing but are anyway (plus our bumbling ways cost more than good work)!
Problem #18: Furnace Blows Warm Air –
Your Furnace Needs Cleaning – It may sound obvious but sometimes furnaces need to be cleaned.
If your furnace is blowing warm air, it may just need a good cleaning from the inside out to get rid of built-up dust and dirt.
Problem #19: Flame Sensor –
The flame sensor is a crucial safety feature on your gas heating equipment.
It safeguards your furnace from dangerous gas buildup by monitoring the flame continuously and will shut down your equipment if it detects a problem.
In most furnaces, the flame sensor is located in the combustion chamber directly behind the burner or heating element.
A small amount of air enters through small gaps around the edge of these components to help circulate oxygen throughout your furnace so that
Problem #20: Furnace Is Making Strange Noises –
This could be a sign that your furnace is malfunctioning and needs to be serviced immediately.
Don’t try to fix this problem yourself, call a professional!
The heat exchanger and blower motors are common problems and will require technicians to install or fix
Conclusion –
The best way to fix a broken furnace is to call in an expert, but if you’re handy enough there are some things that can be done before calling for help.
If none of these repairs work and your heating service repair company says it needs a replacement part, we always recommend getting the right equipment installed by someone who knows what they’re doing!
Give us a call or use our contact form on this page and we’ll connect you with one of our trusted partners near you. Furnace maintenance is key to save money on emergency repairs or service calls during the heating season.