You rely on your furnace to stay warm during the winter, but what happens when it isn’t working properly? Yes, your furnace may work fine most of the time, but things can and do go wrong for even the most reliable heating systems. While we will always suggest calling an HVAC contractor for major repairs and maintenance, you may still be able to troubleshoot some common furnace issues.
1. Your Furnace Isn’t Producing Heat
Your furnace may stop producing enough heat for your home for a number of reasons, from power outages to thermostat issues. If this happens to you, first check your thermostat to make sure it’s set to “heat” and adjust the temperature to see if it gets any warmer. Next, check that your furnace is on and that there aren’t any tripped circuit breakers.
If you aren’t having any electrical issues or thermostat problems, check your pilot light or ignitor. You can usually reignite a pilot light when it goes out. If you can’t or if the light is weak, you likely have more serious issues and should call an HVAC repair professional. The same goes for an ignitor that isn’t working. You can replace the ignitor, but it’s best to leave it for a professional to stay on the safe side.
2. A Malfunctioning Thermostat
Your thermostat regulates your home’s temperature. If it malfunctions or isn’t calibrated properly, it could leave your home feeling uncomfortably hot or cold. It might also display the wrong temperature, which will cause your furnace to cycle on and off unnecessarily.
The most common causes of a thermostat malfunction are damaged wiring or dying batteries. Replacing your thermostat’s batteries is sometimes enough to get it working properly again. If the problem lies with the wiring, you’ll have to call an electrician to make repairs.
It’s also possible for your thermostat to give incorrect readings if it’s in a bad location in your home. Ideally, your thermostat should be placed out of direct sunlight and away from vents or anything that gives off excessive heat. If it isn’t mounted in a good location, it will register your home as being hotter or colder than it actually is and cycle your furnace accordingly.
If your thermostat still isn’t working after you’ve replaced the batteries and moved it away from heat sources, it likely needs recalibration. Consult your thermostat’s manual to learn how to do that. If you’re having any trouble, call an HVAC professional for assistance.
3. Uneven Heating Throughout Your Home
If certain rooms in your home are warmer than others, check your air vents. It’s possible that some of them simply aren’t open, or they may be clogged with dust. If that is the case, clean or replace your furnace filter. Your furnace filter removes dust and debris from the air as it moves through your home’s ductwork. If it’s too dirty, much of the dust it’s supposed to catch will blow through your vents, eventually clog them, and make them useless.
You can prevent the worst of these problems by cleaning or replacing your furnace filter regularly, preferably once a month if you have a larger household. You should also wipe away any dust you find on your vents and keep clutter to a minimum in your home. While you’re at it, rethink how you arrange your furniture. Blocking a vent with a chair or couch is just as bad as leaving it clogged with dust.
If the airflow in your home seems weak or uneven, even when you regularly clean your home and replace your filters, you might have a problem with your air ducts. Your ducts should be cleaned every three to five years. If it’s been at least that long since your last cleaning, call an HVAC contractor to schedule a furnace maintenance inspection.
4. Short-Cycling
Short-cycling is when your furnace turns itself on and off frequently. This can happen if your thermostat isn’t working properly, if your filter is dirty, or if your furnace is too large for your home. Clean or replace your furnace filter regularly, and check your thermostat to make sure it’s working properly. If you still have a short-cycling problem after you’ve eliminated those two possible issues, call an HVAC contractor to inspect your furnace. It may need repairs that go beyond basic troubleshooting, or it could be that you need a smaller heating system. Installing a smaller furnace may seem expensive at the time, but having a more efficient furnace that doesn’t turn itself off and on constantly will save you money on your utility bills in the long run.
5. Strange Noises
Your furnace should be almost silent when it’s working properly. You’ll likely hear a faint click or “whoosh” when it turns on, and a faint sound of blowing air as it runs, but even that should be barely noticeable. If you hear anything else, there’s likely a mechanical problem with your system. Loose panels can rattle, burner issues can make banging sounds, and high-pitched squealing usually indicates a worn belt or blower motor issues. While you should be able to tighten rattling panels with the right screwdriver, other sounds will require professional help. Call for an inspection and/or repairs as soon as you notice any strange sounds. The longer you wait, the harder and more expensive it will be to fix the problem.
6. Strange Odors
If you haven’t used your furnace in a few months, you might notice a burning smell when you first turn it on. This smell is merely dust in your air ducts burning off, and it should stop after about 10 minutes. If it doesn’t go away or gets worse, you might have a blocked burner or another issue that should be checked by an HVAC professional right away. If you smell rotten eggs, you might have a gas leak and should evacuate your home right away. Call emergency services as soon as you are in a safe place.
Call Peck & Weis Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Electric for Assistance
If you have any issues with your furnace that can’t be solved with these basic tips, don’t hesitate to call Peck & Weis Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Electric for assistance. We are an HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company that has served Lake Geneva, WI and the surrounding areas since 1965. Not only do we offer professional furnace maintenance and repair services, but we also provide AC and indoor air quality services, as well as a range of plumbing and electrical services.
To learn more about our services or to schedule service for your Lake Geneva home, contact Peck & Weis Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Electric today.
