When the hot summer weather turns into cool fall and winter weather, many households turn on their furnaces for the first time in months. Without a furnace, living in an area where it gets cold outside would be incredibly challenging and uncomfortable.
This furnace exists to distribute warm air throughout your home, but unfortunately, things don’t always go according to plan. Your heating system might experience a range of different issues that can impact its overall performance or even stop it from working at all.
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With that in mind, this article is going to not only go through some of the most common furnace-related issues you will face, but also how they can be fixed.
Furnace Not Blowing Warm Air
A common issue that many homeowners might experience is that their furnace is not blowing warm air. This is obviously a problem as it will not adequately heat your home, while still costing you money. The first thing to check if you encounter this issue is your thermostat.
You need to ensure it is at the right temperature. If it is, then there are a few other reasons why this might be taking place. It could be due to a clogged filter, the furnace being the wrong size, or a part being damaged or malfunctioned. In some cases, there could be a problem with the heat exchanger or ignition.
Some things you may be able to fix yourself (such as cleaning something or replacing the filter in the furnace), but if you can’t get to the cause of the issue, or it is complex, reach out to a pro. Be sure to check CM Heating or another reputable company’s website to ensure they offer the service you need before hiring them of course.
Furnace Blowing No Air
While a furnace blowing cool or room-temperature air is a problem, it’s also possible that your furnace will blow no air at all. If you are getting no air out of your vents, despite your thermostat and system being on, there are a few causes of this issue.
A clogged filter could greatly restrict airflow, and if there is an issue with your blower (such as a clog or a piece being out of place), this could also lead to the problem. Take some time to clear the debris if this is the problem, and the furnace should be back to normal. In some cases, a piece like your blower fan belt will have been broken, and will require an expert to come out and fix or replace.
Furnace Making Odd Sounds and Emitting Strange Scents
Every furnace will make some noises from time to time when it operates and turns off and on. However, over time, you will begin to become familiar with what sounds are normal, and which are not.
At some points, you may hear some concerning furnace noises that range from banging, to squealing, “to scraping, or a variety of others. In addition to sounds, you may experience some scents like burning, gas scents, rotten eggs, and others. These sounds and scents can come from anything from loose parts, to broken components, to leaks, and a variety of other sources.
Because of the sheer amount of potential causes of these sounds and scents, we don’t recommend you try to fix this problem yourself. If something seems out of the ordinary and potentially dangerous, simply turn off your system and call in an expert to ensure things are handled correctly.
Furnace is Short Cycling
If you experience a short cycling furnace, it can be a cause for concern. This is essentially when your furnace turns on and off very rapidly, without allowing enough time for your home to fully heat up. This is awful for your system, and can lead to a lot of wasted dollars, too.
There are a few reasons for this that range from the furnace being the wrong size for your space, to a dirty filter, to a clogged exhaust flue. If you notice your furnace turning off and on every few minutes, calling in an expert to find the exact cause and repair it is generally a good plan.
Furnace is Experiencing Ignition Issues
Another major issue some furnaces will run into is a problem with their ignition. Without being able to ignite, your furnace will simply not be able to pass warm air through the ducts and into your home.
If you have an older furnace, you may be able to see you have an ignition issue if your pilot light is weak, flickering, or strangely colored. This could be because too much carbon monoxide is present, and warrants a call to a specialist. If you have a newer furnace, your electric ignition system could be failing due to build-up on the flame sensors that is stopping your furnace from fully turning on and working.
In conclusion, we hope that this guide has helped you not only learn about the most common heating issues, but also how you can deal with them.
