What Can Cause a Furnace to Stop Working?
Do you find yourself huddled under the blankets with three sweaters on? If you are sitting inside your home shivering, you need to address a major concern related to the heating system in your home. You should be able to be comfortable all winter long.
When your furnace stops working, you need to evaluate the reason and call in professionals. What can cause a furnace to stop working? Check this top five furnace troubleshooting chart today:
1. Clogged Air Filters
Many homeowners have a hard time remembering to change their air filters. It gets done so infrequently that it can be challenging to prioritize this simple chore. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most common furnace problems.
The air filter for your furnace is designed to filter out dust, dirt, pet hair, and other debris. A clogged filter blocks airflow and can lead to the overheating of your heat exchanger. As a result, you may not feel that toasty air that keeps you warm during the chilly nights.
Consider when you last changed your air filter. If it has been more than three months, head out to the local home improvement store for a new filter today.
2. Improper Thermostat Settings
Is your furnace not kicking on when the temperature drops? A common culprit does not typically require furnace repair. It may simply mean that you need to toggle the settings on your thermostat. When your home is too chilly for your liking, make sure the thermostat is on with the heat mode selected.
You should also check to ensure that your temperature is set properly. It should be a few degrees higher than the room temperature to force the furnace to start heating.
Of course, there is a possibility that your thermostat is broken or malfunctioning if all of the settings appear to be correct. It may be time for a replacement if it is more than ten years old. As a bonus, you could replace it with a smart thermostat that can help save you money on your monthly bills.
3. Dirty Burners
The burners in your furnace are responsible for producing heat and warming up your home. Over time, they may end up covered with dirt and rust. In turn, this impedes them from producing the heat necessary to put a stop to your shivering. This issue is one of the more common reasons furnaces stop working.
A technician can clean the burners to help restore heat to your home. However, this is one job that is best left to the professionals. Make sure to call a technician who has the experience necessary to help you inspect and clean your burners.
4. Defective Pilot Light Ignition Switch
When your furnace stops working at night, it could be a sign that you have a defective pilot light ignition switch. There are a few signs that your pilot light ignition switch could be the reason for the chilly atmosphere in your home, including:
- Constant cycling of the furnace (furnace switches on and off repeatedly)
- Overactive blowers
- Limited heat
If you suspect that this may be the culprit for your furnace not producing heat, you need to contact a professional to spot the problem. It could be related to wear and tear over time, a dirty air filter, or a broken temperature limiting switch. There are many possible causes, so it is best to let a professional help you sort out the root cause.
While you wait for a technician to come out to your home, pay careful attention to your system. Banging and scraping are signs that you need to turn off the furnace immediately.
5. Flipped Circuit Breaker
If the heat is not working in your house, one of the first things you should check is the circuit breaker. Power surges can cause the breaker to flip, shutting off power to your furnace. Take a quick peek inside your breaker box to ensure that you have power flowing to your unit. Reset the breaker if necessary.
Make sure to pay attention to how often you are flipping the circuit breaker. Repeated issues with this occurrence outside of power surges indicate a larger problem. You will need an HVAC professional to help you pinpoint the root cause.
What Causes a Furnace to Stop Working?
Are you left in the cold, wondering what would cause a furnace to stop working? Some of the issues that could be present are relatively easy fixes. However, they could also be signs of larger concerns that need to be addressed by professionals.
Premier HVAC Services has the experience and know-how necessary to help you warm up quickly. Make sure to give us a call today for all of your furnace repair needs!