While you don’t expect to encounter furnace problems during the winter, heating issues can occur at any time. Temperatures can drop quickly in Louisiana, so your household needs a dependable heating system to keep everyone warm and cozy.
Some heating problems have simple solutions, while others require professional help from a qualified technician. As Mandeville’s trusted HVAC company, our Airsmiths Cooling & Heating professionals see plenty of furnace issues. Here’s what our crew says are the most common problems with furnaces in the winter.
Top Four Winter Furnace Issues and What To Do About Them
Furnace problems can take many forms. Perhaps your unit doesn’t produce enough heat, or it’s making loud, usual sounds when it turns on. Your furnace might even stop working altogether without warning.
Not having sufficient heat can leave your home feeling uncomfortable. However, a faulty furnace can also create an unsafe environment inside your house in the middle of winter. Take note of these common furnace problems and learn how to handle them to keep your heating system running smoothly.
1. Dirty Air Filters
One of the easiest furnace components to maintain is also one that many homeowners overlook. A dirty furnace air filter can create many problems for a heating system because a filthy screen restricts airflow to and from the HVAC unit.
Examples of problems a dirty filter can cause include:
- Failure of safety switches: Some safety switches rely on sensors to detect heat or pressure. If the dirt from the filter sheds onto the sensor, the safety switch won’t work.
- Damaged heat exchanger: Gas furnaces have heat exchangers that transfer heat from the combustion chamber. When the system lacks airflow, the exchanger can overheat and crack.
- High energy bills: When your furnace doesn’t have sufficient airflow, the heating unit will overwork itself, which consumes more energy and increases utility bills.
Protect your furnace by replacing its air filter at least once every three months. Replace it more frequently if your home has poor indoor air quality or furry pets with dander.
2. Malfunctioning Blower Motor
If your furnace’s blower motor constantly runs, it could indicate an issue with the limit switch. This switch regulates the furnace’s operations, telling it when to turn on and shut down by detecting the heat inside the chamber. Since the limit switch is a safety mechanism, it’s best to call an HVAC company to inspect the component and replace it if necessary.
3. Faulty Thermostat
Your furnace needs a thermostat to trigger its operation, so the heating system will suffer if it isn’t working correctly.
Many faulty thermostats are due to dead or dying batteries or a tripped circuit breaker. Try resetting the breakers and replacing the batteries to ensure the device gets enough power to trigger the HVAC system when temperatures drop. If the battery replacement doesn’t solve your furnace problems, contact a professional to diagnose and repair or replace your thermostat.
4. Pilot Light Issues
With a gas furnace, a lit pilot light will facilitate the combustion process each time the furnace turns on. The flame might go out occasionally, but you can relight it.
You might have a problem if the light constantly goes out, though. Inefficient burning is another problem with pilot lights. If the flame is yellow instead of blue, it’s not getting enough oxygen to burn.
Routine maintenance from a professional HVAC technician will help. The issue might be a clogged intake valve preventing oxygen from feeding the flame, or the air filter could be full of debris.
Get Professional Furnace Repair From Mandeville’s Trusted Experts
No matter what furnace problems you experience, you can count on our crew at Airsmiths Cooling & Heating to provide reliable, long-lasting solutions. As one of the top-rated HVAC companies serving Mandeville, Louisiana, we provide our customers with comprehensive heating and cooling services, including furnace repair and maintenance.
With our decades of experience, we know how to complete jobs correctly—call (985) 400-5093 today for an appointment with Airsmiths Cooling & Heating.
