Common Furnace Problems And How To Fix Them
One of the essential home appliances during the cold season is the furnace. However, like any other device in your house, the furnace will, at some point, stop functioning correctly. You should familiarize yourself with common furnace issues and how to resolve them.
Dirty Filters
When your furnace has dirty filters, it makes more effort to heat your home. Over time, this raises your energy bills. When dirt and allergens accumulate in the filter, they spread in the air around your house. Therefore, it is crucial to have clean air filters for good air quality in your home.
To resolve the issue of poor air quality, ensure you have a professional change the filters every few months. You should also clean new filters regularly to increase their longevity.
Short Cycling
Although your furnace should turn on and off a few minutes after every cycle, if this happens too frequently, the furnace isn't completing the heating cycle. The turning on and off of the furnace is meant to ensure your home is at the desired temperatures.
One reason your furnace doesn't complete the heating cycles is dirty filters. In this case, replacing the filters will resolve the issue. However, short cycling can also occur because of a faulty flame sensor. Your technician will recommend replacing the flame sensor.
Other reasons for short cycling include closed heat vents, blocked exhaust vents, and an oversized furnace. Opening the vents and clearing obstacles from the exhaust vents can stop the short cycles. Also, consider switching the oversized furnace with the right-sized furnace.
A Noisy Furnace
You should be alarmed if you hear rattling, rumbling, and squeaking noises coming from your furnace. Since a series of things can cause these noises, you should call a technician to troubleshoot the problem. Some causes include a clogged burner and airflow reductions.
The solution in these cases is to unclog the burner and insulate the ductwork. Sometimes the noises are caused by an improperly adjusted pilot light. Your technician will set the pilot light properly to resolve the problem.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
If your furnace produces erratic amounts of heat, check the thermostat. Check whether the furnace switch is on. If it is on, then try replacing the batteries on the thermostat. If this doesn't work, look for a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Your technician will replace or reset these to get the thermostat running again.
Another reason for a malfunctioning thermostat is faulty wiring or improper components. A heating repair professional will replace the wiring or install the right components to restore the thermostat to its normal condition.
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