Is your furnace blowing cold air on the coldest night of the year?
There’s nothing worse than walking into a cold house in the morning. The bad news… Furnaces usually give you signs that they are going to stop working. Here’s the good news. With a little basic troubleshooting, you can:
- Fix small problems yourself
- Avoid a costly emergency call-out
- Know exactly when it’s time for furnace repair
The best part? Most of these checks take less than 10 minutes.
Here is how to do it…
Inside this guide:
- Why Furnace Troubleshooting Matters
- 5 Common Furnace Problems (And How To Fix Them)
- When To Call A Pro For Furnace Repair
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Furnace Troubleshooting Matters
Your furnace runs a lot. All winter long, it can kick on hours each day… and wear and tear accumulates quickly.
The average furnace will last between 15 and 20 years. Without yearly maintenance, however, you could see your furnace malfunction years before. Minor issues such as a dirty filter or a tripped breaker can become major, expensive problems when left unchecked.
And it’s not just about money.
Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires. To be exact, there were 44,210 heating fires each year in US homes from 2016-2020. That’s why it’s critical to catch issues before they start.
The key is knowing which furnace problems you can handle and which you can’t. Simple fixes like replacing a filter are jobs that any homeowner can do. However, things like gas leaks, cracked heat exchangers and damaged wiring should be handled by a professional furnace technician. Homeowners in Northern Kentucky can schedule furnace repair in Erlanger and Florence, KY to safely repair a broken furnace and restore heat quickly.
Pretty simple, right?
Now let’s look at the problems you’re most likely to run into.
5 Common Furnace Problems (And How To Fix Them)
Here are the most frequently encountered homeowner problems and how to handle each situation.
1. The Furnace Won’t Turn On
This is the problem everyone dreads…
Don’t freak out; check the thermostat first. Many times “faulty” furnaces are merely thermostat issues.
Check these 3x things:
- Is the thermostat set to “Heat”?
- Is the temperature set higher than the room temperature?
- Do the batteries need replacing?
Still don’t have anything? Check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker. Then check the furnace power switch. It looks like a standard light switch near the furnace… and it’s easy to turn off by accident.
2. The Furnace Is Blowing Cold Air
Cold air from your vents is frustrating. Especially when you’re paying for heat!
Occasionally the fan control is switched to “On” instead of “Auto”. When this happens the fan will blow continuously, even if the furnace is not running to heat the air. Turn the fan switch to “Auto” and determine if the hot air returns.
A dirty flame sensor or a worn ignitor are other possible causes if nothing above helps. These components ignite your burners, and if they fail, your furnace won’t generate any heat. Your HVAC technician should handle this.
3. The Furnace Keeps Turning On And Off
That’s known as short cycling. Your furnace turns on, runs a few minutes, then turns off. Repeat.
Nine times out of ten, the culprit is a clogged air filter.
If your filter is dirty, air can’t flow through it. This overheats your furnace and trips a safety switch that turns it off to protect itself.
Hold your filter up to the light. If you cannot see through it, replace the filter. For best results, most filters need to be replaced every 1-3 months (depending on whether you have pets or not).
It’s the cheapest fix on this list!
4. Strange Noises
Furnaces naturally produce sound. That’s to be expected. However, loud or new noises could signal trouble.
Here’s what different noises can mean:
- Banging or booming: Gas may be building up before it lights
- Squealing: A worn belt or a motor that needs attention
- Rattling: Loose panels or screws
- Scraping: A broken part inside the blower
You can tighten a loose panel yourself. Anything else? Leave it to a technician.
5. Weird Smells
It’s normal to smell a dusty, burning odor when you first turn your heat on. Dust builds up on the burners after months of inactivity. The smell should dissipate after an hour or so.
But a rotten egg smell is very different.
That’s a gas leak.
Gas companies put that smell in natural gas so you’ll notice a leak. If you smell it, get everyone out of the house immediately. Do not turn any switches on or off. Once you’re outside, call your gas company or 911.
When To Call A Pro For Furnace Repair
DIY troubleshooting is great. But there’s a limit.
Some problems are just too unsafe to DIY. Number one on that list? Carbon monoxide. It’s colorless, odorless, and a malfunctioning furnace can be emitting it into your house without your knowledge. The CDC reports that carbon monoxide poisoning led to an average of 430 deaths per year in the United States.
Scary stuff.
Call a professional straight away if you notice any of these warning signs:
- A gas smell near the furnace
- Your carbon monoxide alarm going off
- A yellow or flickering burner flame (it should be blue)
- Soot around the furnace or vents
- A breaker that keeps tripping
- Energy bills that suddenly jump
Age plays a role as well… If your furnace is more than 15 years old and constantly needs repairs, you may want to consider replacing it. A good tech will be honest with you if a repair will be cost-effective.
Bonus tip: Schedule annual furnace maintenance every fall. A tech will clean the parts, check the safety controls and identify minor issues before they turn into big ones. It’s the simplest way to prevent a mid-winter breakdown.
Keeping The Heat On All Winter
Most furnace problems can be solved quickly and easily. You can fix some problems yourself in just a few minutes. Here’s a quick review:
- Check the thermostat settings and batteries first
- Make sure the breaker and power switch are on
- Replace dirty air filters every 1 to 3 months
- Listen for strange noises and watch out for odd smells
- Call a pro for gas smells, CO alarms or electrical problems
If it’s easy, do it yourself. If it’s risky, hire a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you reset a furnace?
Locate the power switch on or near the furnace and flip it off. Wait about 30 seconds, then turn it back on. Some furnaces also have a reset button located near the blower motor. If you find that you have to reset your furnace frequently, you have a more serious problem on your hands. Call a technician.
How much does furnace repair cost?
Depends on what part of the furnace goes out. A new filter is only a few dollars. But if something like an ignitor or blower motor goes out, you’ll pay more. Your best bet would be to get a quote from someone local.
