HVAC technicians know all too well that a home’s heating and cooling system is essential for keeping residents comfortable. And with winter coming, it becomes even more important to have your HVAC unit checked-in working order so you can avoid any problems during this harsh season!
Common Furnace Problems
Your home’s furnace is a vital component of your HVAC system. With the right guidance, it can be an efficient and reliable work horse for years to come! But what happens when something goes wrong? That’s where this article comes in handy…
The following list overviews some common problems with furnaces found around America today.
Lack of Maintenance
This is often the number one reason a heater won’t turn on. When you skip or forget your furnace’s upkeep, it will likely end up with performance issues.
- The air filter can still accumulate dust, pet dander, and other debris when the heater is off. Make sure to check if the filter needs changing before turning the heater on.
- When dust builds up in the burner, the flames won’t burn evenly. This creates insufficient heat that causes your furnace to work harder to achieve the ideal level of heat, consuming more energy in the process. Make sure to clean your burner before using the furnace to prevent this from happening.
- A dirty blower can have performance issues that may lead to equipment failure. This is because the heat exchanger needs constant airflow to keep it from overheating. Clean the blower regularly to ensure top performance for your heater.
Improper Gas Supply
Your furnace needs a set amount of gas to operate properly. Failing to calibrate this will cause the system to malfunction.
- When there’s too much gas, your furnace burns more, and your utility costs may increase. It will also cause the furnace to overheat, triggering the automatic switch to turn off.
- When there’s too little gas, your furnace burns less, and you end up with a cold house during the winter. This can also cause your furnace to work harder to stabilize the heat, resulting in higher energy bills.
Malfunctioning Blower Capacitor
The blower capacitor is a component that looks like a large battery. It provides electricity to the fan motors, making sure there’s enough cool air to prevent the system from overheating. When it is malfunctioning, your heater won’t turn on. You will need a technician to determine if it needs a repair or replacement.
Low Refrigerant Levels
If you’re using a heat pump for your home, you have to regularly check its refrigerant. When refrigerant levels are too low, your heat strips will turn on more often than they should. At worst, the compressor might overheat and become damaged.
Malfunctioning Starting Components
Starting components can malfunction for different reasons. When this problem is unaddressed, you risk experiencing the following:
- the blower won’t start properly
- the unit won’t heat your home
- the internal components will get damaged
Broken Draft Inducer
This motor helps clear out leftover gas before the furnace turns on. However, it can burn out and stop working. When it happens, the safety switch turns on and switches off your heater.
Broken Heat Exchanger
Although this problem won’t lead to a broken furnace, it will affect the machine’s efficiency and effectiveness.
“Before you know it, you will be wondering how to lower your electric bill this winter.
But this is not the worst scenario.”
When your heat exchanger has a crack, you risk filling your home with carbon monoxide and harming you and your family.
Improper Ductwork
This is a big problem for old houses. Ductwork design and installation take skill, but some homeowners choose to hire amateurs or do it themselves – which leaves the people who buy these properties with compromised ducts that may cause performance issues in their furnaces if they were never fixed by professionals before coming into possession of said home (or business). Are you feeling the chill this winter? You might need your furnace checked. Give us a call and we’ll send over a technician to inspect your heating system.
