We all know how it feels when an appliance isn’t working as intended. Unfortunately, these nuisances are quite common in home furnaces.
In the long run, these problems can lead to even bigger issues. It may even compromise your health!
Getting to know your heating system and diagnosing it can save you a ton of money. This is also the reason why it’s important to understand the most common furnace issues.
Get to know the five most common furnace issues and what causes them.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
The most commonly reported issue with furnaces is a malfunctioning thermostat. You’ll notice your thermostat isn’t okay if the fan runs constantly. This causes the thermostat battery to run, which makes the furnace work inefficiently.
An experienced furnace technician at Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air suggests turning the fan on auto to learn more and checking if it runs in all settings. If it does, then the thermostat is at fault.
Clogged Filters
When the furnace’s filters are clogged, you may notice dust in the air or feel no air coming from the vents. This issue drastically reduces a furnace’s performance and may result in increased bills.
It’s important to get your heating system’s filters changed regularly and check your furnace safety. Filters should be changed quarterly by a trained HVAC professional.
A clogged filter will severely affect your furnace and may pose a fire hazard.
Faulty Pilot Light
There are several reasons for a pilot light to go off. Usually, this issue happens because of improper ventilation.
Other times, the thermocouple is to blame. This device is close to the ignition source and is controlled by the pilot light. However, it may malfunction, which will turn the pilot light off.
Age-related issues and improper condition of the heating system can also be responsible. If your pilot light is yellow or flickering, it may indicate a carbon monoxide leak. In that case, you should turn everything off as soon as possible and call a technician, as carbon monoxide poisoning is very dangerous.
Noisy Furnace
If you notice popping, rattling or whistling, you’ll know your furnace isn’t working properly. Rattling is usually caused by loose panels that need tightening. Popping noises are related to ductwork, but sometimes they’re nothing to worry about.
If you hear a whistling noise, that could mean a dirty filter or a hole in the ducts. You should also be aware of any motor sounds, as it means the motor’s bearings are worn out.
Find out more about all the different sounds a noisy furnace can make.
Broken Limit Switch
The limit switch, as the name implies, is a device that limits the furnace output. After reaching a certain temperature target, the furnace should stop working.
However, if you hear it running constantly, that may be a sign of a broken limit switch. Not swapping out this part can mean high energy bills and lower longevity. You should always trust a trained technician with this task.
