When winter arrives, your furnace is essential for maintaining a warm and cozy house. But you can experience discomfort and even problems if your furnace isn’t working effectively. To fix a broken furnace quickly and effectively, it is important to know the most prevalent causes. This tutorial will go over seven typical reasons why a furnace may not be working well and provide advice on how to fix them.
1. Dirty or Clogged Air Filter
When a furnace isn’t working properly, a filthy or blocked air filter is usually to blame. An essential function of the air filter is to capture particles such as dust before they can reach the furnace. Clogged filters reduce airflow, which in turn makes the furnace work harder as time goes on. For optimal airflow and heating efficiency, it is important to clean or replace the air filter regularly, usually every one to three months.
2. Dirty or Faulty Ductwork
The ducts in your house move the hot air from one area to another. A filthy or leaking set of ducts will have a major effect on how well the furnace works. When dust and other particles build up in the ducts, air can’t circulate as easily, reducing the efficiency of your heating system. A more efficient heating system is possible with the help of professionally cleaned ducts.
3. Fuel/Power Supply Issues
Heating difficulties can arise in gas or electric furnaces when there are problems with the fuel or power source. Problems with gas lines, a blocked gas valve or a broken gas valve are among the potential concerns that could arise with gas-powered furnaces. Power outages or malfunctioning parts are two potential issues with electric furnaces. To handle these problems properly, it’s essential to look for fuel or power supply interruptions and get advice from a skilled specialist.
4. Faulty Limit Switch
A furnace’s limit switch controls the blower fan speed in response to the furnace’s internal temperature. To avoid harm, the burners will turn off if the limit switch detects the furnace reaching an unsafe temperature. Inadequate heating may occur if the blower fan does not operate properly due to a malfunctioning limit switch. Only a trained HVAC professional should replace this vital part of a heating system.
5. Malfunctioning Flame Sensor
One of the functions of a flame sensor in gas furnaces is to identify whether a flame is present. As a safety measure, the furnace will turn itself off if the sensor detects dirt or malfunctions. It takes finesse and care to clean or replace the flame sensor. To make sure the flame sensor is working properly and the furnace is operating safely, you should consult a professional expert.
6. Insufficient Insulation
If you want to keep the temperature inside your house pleasant and your furnace running efficiently, you need to make sure your home is well-insulated. The furnace will struggle to adequately heat your house if there is heat loss due to poorly insulated walls, attics or windows. Putting money into insulation is a certain way to boost your heating system’s efficiency and effectiveness.
7. Improperly Sized Furnace
Your furnace’s capacity should correspond to your home’s square footage. Inadequate heating will result from a furnace that is too small to fulfill the heating requirement. However, brief cycling—in which the furnace comes on and off quickly—can occur with a large unit, leading to uneven heating and unneeded component wear. Always check with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning expert to make sure your furnace is the right size for your house.
What to Do
Check the thermostat’s functionality and make sure it’s set to the appropriate temperature. It may be necessary to replace it if it’s malfunctioning. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for checking and replacing the air filter regularly. The heating system’s efficiency and effectiveness are both improved by keeping the filter clean.
Check the ducts for obvious signs of leakage, and hire a professional to clean them out if they’re dirty. Make sure the gas supply is working properly and that the gas valve is open for gas furnaces. For electric furnaces, make sure the power is consistently on. Finally, be aware of odd noises or smells that might be a sign of more serious problems that need expert care. It is essential to schedule routine maintenance each year, preferably semi-annually, to address minor problems before they escalate into larger problems.
Coffman & Company is here to meet all of your heating system needs. We also work on air conditioners in Arvada and even provide gas piping and water heater services. Contact us now to schedule a repair or maintenance appointment for your home’s heating system to keep it in good working order.
