Many homeowners expect their furnace to work flawlessly and are in for a surprise when they discover their heating system isn't working. Below is a list of the most common issues that might occur or be the problem:
1.Neglecting to Maintain Your Equipment
To help avoid unforeseen problems with your furnace, you should regularly maintain the equipment. Have a professional inspect and service your system at least once a year. This will help prevent potential problems, ensure safety, and prevent wasting energy which can cause your bills to go up.
2. Broken Thermostat. A malfunctioning thermostat can fail to send the correct signals to your furnace, which could cause problems with heating. Typically, a bad thermostat should just be replaced. Occasionally, you may end up finding that the wiring from the thermostat to your heater ends up being the real problem.
3. Pilot Light and Ignition Issues. If the automatic ignition or pilot system is not functioning correctly, you will have a hard time heating your home. Regular annual maintenance can help you avoid any inconvenience & potentially added costs.
4. Clogged Furnace Filters. Clogged furnace filters are extremely common. A clogged furnace filter makes the blower work harder, potentially shortening it's lifespan or cause the heat exchanger to overheat. Bring in a service pro for annual maintenance and ask them how often you should replace the filter based on your system.
5. Older Heater. It is often difficult to predict when you should replace your older equipment. As your heater ages, many components will begin failing on a regular basis. When you see you are spending more on repairs, you may think about updating your system.
6. Your Furnace Fan Won’t Turn Off. If your fan runs constantly, regardless of whether your furnace is heating, that’s not normal. This can happen for many reasons. You could be using the wrong thermostat fan setting or there's shorted wire.
When troubleshooting your furnace doesn’t solve your issues, contact a trained HVAC professional. It's always a good idea to have an expert examine the unit and suggest the best course of action.
