Winter is coming and your furnace will need to work overtime to ensure you stay warm. Like any other appliance, problems will always pop up along the way. However, furnace problems are fast to fix with the help of a skilled technician. But to contact professionals, you’ll first need to identify when a problem arises with your furnace.
Read on to learn the six most common furnace problems you’re most likely to encounter with your furnace.
1. Strange Noises
Most furnaces make noise as they function, and it’s very normal. You will hear clicks every time the thermostat reaches a specific temperature. But some noises are indicators that something is wrong with your system. If your furnace is making knocking or rattling noises, it’s a sign that your appliance has a problem.
If your furnace makes strange noises, turn it off and call an HVAC expert to diagnose and offer a solution to the problem.
2. Dirty Air Filters
Once the air filter in your furnace clogs, it becomes challenging for your heater to draw air into the mechanical components. Your furnace will work harder than usual. With time, your furnace might shut off to shield itself from damage. Make sure to swap your filters out once a quarter to promote peak performance.
If you leave air filters unchanged, they will result in high energy bills and damage your furnace. A dirty furnace makes it challenging for the fan to circulate air, increasing the energy it needs to work. Have your air filters regularly checked to improve indoor air quality and reduce energy bills.
3. Broken Thermostat
The thermostat communicates with your furnace to let the appliance know when to turn on and how hot it should be. Once the thermostat stops working, the device impacts your furnace performance output. You’ll notice problems like short cycling, sporadic heating, or inability to turn on or off.
Your home might feel excessively hot or unusually cold. Chances are, your thermostat is broken, and you might need to replace the device.
4. Cracked Heat Exchanger
The furnace heat exchanger prevents carbon monoxide poisoning. Suppose you overheat your house or fail to keep up with the air filter replacement, and the heat exchanger may crack. If there’s a crack in the heat exchanger, poisonous gases leak into your home to cause illnesses. If you suspect a cracked heat exchanger, make sure everyone leaves your house and you call an emergency HVAC technician.
5. Frayed or Malfunctioning Blower Belt
The blower belt is part of a motor that helps your furnace fan operate. Over time, the blower belt may start to break or fray. When operating, a high-pitched squealing sound from your furnace indicates a frayed or broken blower belt. If you’ve noticed such a sound, contact a professional who will inspect, repair, or replace your blower belt.
6. Faulty Pilot Light and Ignition Control
Once the furnace kicks on, the pilot light produces a frame that burns natural gas to generate heat and power. Without a pilot light, your furnace fails to produce heat. You’ll hear your furnace trying to turn on repeatedly without successfully running through a complete heating cycle.
The ignition control problem is easy to recognize but challenging to fix. All repairs related to ignition and pilot light need expertise. Attempts to replace or repair pilot lights on your own may lead to burns and other injuries.
If you have observed any of the above problems, the technicians at Steele Brothers Heating, Inc., can help. We’ve been the Greater Denver Metropolitan Area go-to HVAC Company for many years. Our technicians are highly qualified to ensure they deliver quality services, from new equipment installations to regular maintenance and emergency repairs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
