Furnace problems can make your winters longer and colder. Well, at least they can make it seem that way. Imagine your heating and air conditioning system’s furnace going kaput in the middle of the winter. Passing the long, cold months without your heating system would be a nightmare. You might need an expert HVAC technician to repair major issues in your furnace. But it is still a good idea to be familiar with the common furnace problems and how to fix them.
Regular heating and air conditioner maintenance can prevent sudden failure of your furnace. If you have not had your HVAC unit and furnace checked in a while, call our skilled HVAC technicians at 314-993-1110.
5 Common Furnace Problems You Should Know
Some of the five most common furnace problems you might face with your HVAC system are as follows.
Thermostat Malfunction
The thermostat is one of the most important parts of your HVAC unit and it is also one of the biggest problem areas. Thermostat malfunctions can result in insufficient heating. Older thermostats, in particular, that have been in use for a while tend to fail more often because of wear and tear. If your thermostat stops working with the furnace, the entire HVAC system may not function properly.
Solution: Check the battery in your thermostat. In some cases, the problem may simply be a drained battery, and replacing the battery on your thermostat can do the trick. If that doesn’t work, you may have to replace the thermostat itself.
Cracked Heat Exchanger Problems
A cracked heat exchanger may be a relatively expensive furnace problem. Usually, the flame of the furnace and the air are separated by the walls of the heat exchanger. A crack on these walls may cause the air to leak and interfere with the flame, resulting in the flame blowing out. Or it could cause loss of heat from the furnace reducing the efficiency of your HVAC system.
Solution: The only solution here is to get the heat exchanger repaired by a professional HVAC technician. If the damage is beyond repair, you will need to get the heat exchanger replaced.
Blower Malfunction
Another common furnace problem is the fraying or malfunctioning of the blower belt. The blower is what keeps the air circulating over the heat exchanger in the furnace. The blower fan receives power from the blower motor by means of a belt. If there is insufficient tension in the belt or the belt has worn out, it will not generate enough friction to run the fan and may slip often. A loose belt may also cause squeaking noises.
Solution: An HVAC technician can either tighten the belt if it is still in good condition or may replace it if it is too worn out.
Frequent Cycling of the Furnace
If the air circulation through the system is not efficient or if the furnace is not producing enough heat, you will notice that the furnace keeps switching on frequently. If you notice that the time gap between the furnace’s running cycles has become shorter, it could mean that your air filters are clogged, or the furnace temperature is too low. Frequent cycling can increase the HVAC system’s power consumption.
Solution: Get the furnace checked by an HVAC contractor and change your air filters at least once a year.
Broken Limit Switch
The function of the limit switch is to signal the system when the heated air is ready to be delivered to the house. Problems with the limit switch will result in no flow of heated air. It may also cause the furnace to run continuously and become overheated.
Solution: This problem usually arises because of a dirty or faulty sensor in the switch. The solution is to clean the sensor and the switch. If that doesn’t work, you may have to replace the switch.
Hire Expert HVAC Technicians to Take Care of All Your Furnace Problems
If your HVAC system is showing furnace problems, the best option is usually to contact a professional furnace repair service as soon as possible. Galmiche & Sons offers HVAC maintenance services in St. Louis for both residential and commercial establishments. Get in touch with our heating and air conditioning experts today to learn more about how we can help.
