Is that just me, or is the room getting really chilly?
We sometimes ask this question with dread when our home furnaces refuse to warm us with heated air. Let’s face it, furnace problems, especially on those freezing Colorado winter nights, can be a real hassle.
Whether at home or work, furnace malfunction can create a lot of discomforts. The good news is that we have a few solutions up our sleeves for you!
Have a look at our list of most frequent furnace issues and tips on how to avoid or resolve them quickly and inexpensively yourself.
- The Furnace Isn’t Blowing in Warm Air
- The Furnace Isn’t Blowing Warm Air Consistently
- Frayed Blower Belt
- Furnace is Making Scraping Sounds
- Rattling Sounds Coming From the Furnace
- Faulty Limit Control Switch
- Cracked Heat Exchanger
- Gunky Burners
The Furnace Isn’t Blowing in Warm Air
Every homeowner’s nightmare! Your furnace completely stops producing any warm air.
This is the most frequently faced furnace problem, and there can be several reasons for it. Check if the thermostat is set to heat, and give that knob a slight movement to see if there’s any change. If not, check the home circuit breakers in case a fuse got tripped. Turn it on again to see if it resolves the problem.
The Furnace Isn’t Blowing Warm Air Consistently
This is different from the previous problem. Here, your issue is that it is not blowing insufficient warm air or is heating it intermittently. Most of the time, this can be solved by replacing your clogged air filter, which wasn’t letting the warm air through. Have a supply of air filter replacements at home so you can change the filter swiftly and regularly. First, turn the furnace off and then take out your dirty air filter, which will look like a grate coated with dust and debris. Insert the new one and turn your furnace back on.
Dust or debris-coated filters cause the air handler to struggle to blow the warm air in. While this gradually affects other furnace components, it also puts a strain on your energy bill. Additionally, it leads to heat buildup inside the furnace and hurts the performance of the heat exchanger. Trust us – replacing the air filters regularly will go a long way towards keeping your furnace well-maintained and performing efficiently.
Frayed Blower Belt
The blower belt is present inside the furnace as a part of the motor, which makes the fan revolve. If you notice squealing sounds coming from the furnace, check if the blower belt has worn out. Replace it with a new one, or get help from an HVAC professional to ensure your furnace blows air efficiently.
Furnace is Making Scraping Sounds
Did you hear a grinding sound coming from the furnace? That’s the sound of worn-out ball bearings, which help the fan motor to work properly. Over time with use, they become worn and make scraping sounds. To replace them, it is better that you contact the HVAC experts at JD’s Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning as this is a more specialized job.
Rattling Sounds Coming From the Furnace
While we are on the topic of strange sounds coming from the furnace, another common problem is rattling noises. This isn’t a cause for panic, as the sound is probably coming from loose panels in the furnace. Simply tightening them should make the noise go away. If it doesn’t, turn off the unit and get help from an HVAC professional.
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Faulty Limit Control Switch
What’s worse than a furnace not blowing in enough hot air? A furnace blowing in hot air ceaselessly! The limit control switch is responsible for decreasing fan speed when over-heating occurs. If you notice that the fan keeps blowing warm air continually even though you have it set to ‘Auto’, it might be time to give that limit control switch a check.
We recommend that you contact the HVAC experts at JD’s Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning right away to install a new switch for an optimum heating experience. This will also save you spending extra on electricity bills.
Cracked Heat Exchanger
This is a common furnace problem that many homeowners aren’t able to spot without the help of a professional. It is indicated by the presence of soot inside the furnace, distinctive smells, or dripping water. A heat exchanger is a metal chamber responsible for separating the combustion air (filled with poisonous carbon monoxide) and the breathable air. If you have an old furnace, you might face this problem.
The HVAC pros at JD’s Plumbing Heating & AC can help you replace your heat exchanger and save you from the possible health implications of inhaling carbon monoxide.
Gunky Burners
Furnace burners that are coated with debris and gunk don’t produce a good flame which in turn does not produce sufficient heat. This problem is indicated by a yellow or orange flame instead of a healthy blue flame. Although many DIY help videos are available online to guide you on how to clean up those burners yourself, we strongly recommend you let the experts handle it for you as a lot can go wrong with it.
While many furnace problems can be solved right away by taking prompt measures, always contact the HVAC technicians if you come across a furnace problem that doesn’t go away. Proper and timely inspection by an expert will save your home heating system from further damage and keep it working efficiently for years to come.
