Proper maintenance can help prevent many common furnace problems. However, no matter how diligent you are in servicing your heating system, there may still come a time when you encounter these common problems.
1. Air but no heat or not enough heat
Having your furnace fail to produce heat in the middle of an Aurora winter is a scary proposition. However, sometimes the problem is as simple as having your thermostat on the wrong setting. Check to make sure that your heating system is set to “heat” and not “fan.” The latter function redistributes air but doesn’t heat it. If you’re using a gas furnace, another possibility is that you’ve run out of fuel. Check your levels to be sure, and if this is the source of the problem, you can simply top up your tank. In all other situations, your best bet is to call a technician. Turn off your system, put in your call, and hang tight till help arrives.
2. No air but furnace is working otherwise
If you feel no air coming from your vents but your system seems to be functional in every other way, the culprit is likely to be a non-functional blower fan. However, before calling in a professional, you may want to check your circuit breakers. On some furnaces, the fan is on its own breaker and if you’ve had electrical work done lately, or had a new water tank installed recently, the breaker may have been turned off and may simply need to be turned back on. Just be careful to only reset it once. Repeatedly turning it on and off could lead to an electrical fire.
3. Dirty air
This is the most common furnace problem, but also the one that’s easiest to fix. If you find yourself sneezing a lot or notice that your home seems to be unusually dusty, it’s likely time to replace your furnace filter. It’s best to replace them every three months, and even more frequently if you have pets, smoke indoors, or live near a construction zone.
4. Constant cycling
If your furnace is frequently turning itself on and off, this may indicate that there’s restricted airflow somewhere in your system. This could be due to a dirty filter or a clogged duct or vent, so take a look and see if troubleshooting in these areas can resolve the problem. Another possibility is that your thermostat is worn out and needs to be replaced. However, try replacing the battery first as a bad battery can cause the thermostat to malfunction. Finally, if neither of these is the issue, then the internal components of the system are at fault and you’ll need to bring in a technician to diagnose the problem.
When you need a new furnace
The lifespan of a furnace is about 20 years. If yours is around this age and on the fritz, it may be time for a replacement. If so, Hometech Environmental Ltd.—located right here in Aurora!—can set you up with a new, environmentally friendly and economical heating solution. Contact us today to find out more or get a free quote.