Common Residential Furnace Problems

When you want to have a warm and comfortable living space during the colder days of the winter months then it is important to make sure that your furnace is working smoothly. This will not only let you regulate your indoor temperatures but will also help you save both money and energy. When a furnace is well-maintained then it plays an important role in maintaining a comfortable environment in your home while avoiding damages that can lead to costly repairs and unexpected breakdowns. If you do not have a furnace then you will need to deal with chilly rooms along with spending large amounts of money on electric bills.

However, with regular use of the furnace, you will start to experience problems over time. In this blog, we will discuss some warning signs that you will get when your furnace needs repair along with the common furnace problems and their effective solution like how you can deal with dirty or clogged furnace air filters, the malfunctions that can get in your thermostat, how to identify the issues in your blower motor, solving the problem in your pilot light and ignition issues, and lastly the importance of regular furnace maintenance. You will also learn about the times when it becomes necessary to call a professional to fix the problems of your furnace.

Warning Signs Your Furnace Needs Attention

The furnace is an extremely useful piece of technology. However, with regular use for a long period of time, it starts to give certain alert signals that indicate that your furnace needs attention. Below you will learn about some of the warning signs that your furnace is in need of maintenance and repairments.

1. Irregular Heating In Your Home

The very sign that you get when your furnace is not working properly is that your home will not get proper heating. Your furnace is constantly struggling to maintain the temperatures around your house. When you notice that some rooms are cooler than others then it means that there is poor airflow, blockage on the ducts, or malfunctioning in the blower. In some cases, inaccurate calculations of thermostats or leaks in the ductwork can become the reason for uneven heating in your home.

2. Hearing Unusual Sounds From The Furnace

When your furnace starts to make strange sounds like rattling, squealing, or banging then it is another sign that your furnace needs attention. It becomes important for you to investigate the reason behind the sounds otherwise these noises will eventually lead to bigger mechanical issues. The main cause of these unusual sounds is because of loose parts, malfunctioning in the motor of the blower, or clogged burner. If you choose to ignore these noises then it can lead to more problems which will eventually cost expensive repairs.

3. Getting Higher Energy Bills

If you suddenly start getting higher energy bills without increasing the overall consumption of energy then consider it as another signal that your furnace requires proper maintenance. An increase in energy bills is a clear indication that your furnace is not being able to operate efficiently. The main reason behind this particular problem is when the furnace air filter gets clogged because of dirt and debris then it puts extra pressure on the furnace to maintain the air flow resulting in more energy.

4. Having Trouble In Starting The Furnace

When you notice that your furnace is not being able to start properly or having frequent shutdowns then it is a warning sign that your furnace seriously needs attention. This problem indicates that something in your furnace is not working properly. There could be multiple reasons for these issues like faults in the thermostat, problems in the ignition process, or the malfunctioning of a pilot light. When the furnace does not start then it will leave your home to be cold in the winter which will be quite uncomfortable.

Common Furnace Problems And Solutions

It is extremely important that you take care of your furnace system as it plays an important role in maintaining a warm and comfortable environment in your home. However, like any other electrical appliance, the furnace can have some issues with regular usage. Read on to find out about some of the most common furnace problems and how you can solve them. By addressing these problems you will be able to keep your heating system in top condition.

1. Dealing With Dirty Or Clogged Filters

One of the most common problems is a dirty or clogged furnace filter. This issue causes a restriction in the airflow which eventually results in putting extra workload on the furnace. The added pressure on the furnace reduces its efficiency in providing you with proper heating. It also causes your energy bills to get higher. The solution to this problem is quite simple, you need to make sure that you regularly clean or change your furnace filter. Making a schedule for replacing the furnace air filter will help prevent any damage to your furnace while making sure the furnace is working at its best.

2. Troubleshooting Thermostat Malfunctions

Whenever there are malfunctions in the thermostat of your furnace then it creates multiple problems like showing inaccurate readings or giving you less control over it. The issue with the thermostat causes uneven heating in your house and trouble maintaining the temperature that you have set. To troubleshoot this problem you need to first check if the thermostat is set correctly. It should be set to “heat” mode to make your living space warm and comfortable. Always remember to check and replace the batteries from time to time. If these solutions do not work then you will need to recalibrate the thermostat or get it replaced entirely.

3. Identifying And Fixing Blower Motor Issues

Another common furnace problem that many people face is issues with the blower motor. You can easily identify this problem when you see that there is less air circulation or no airflow from your furnace. The main cause for this problem is because of a faulty blower motor. When the blower motor starts to fail then you will get certain signs like hearing strange sounds while very limited to no air coming out from the vents. To deal with this blower motor problem you need to examine the motor if there is any sign of dirt or debris that is causing obstructions. Clean the area and put oil or grease on the motor to make sure that it will run smoothly.

4. Troubleshooting Pilot Light And Ignition Issues

The pilot light of the furnace is the small flame that helps ignite the gas in the furnace to start the process of heating. It is usually located close to the bottom of the furnace or can be found near the front and behind a small access panel. When there is a fault in the pilot light then it will create issues in the process of ignition which will not allow the furnace to start. The reason for this failure can be because of the collection of dirt or the fault in the thermocouple. To reignite the pilot light you need to first turn off the gas and then light it according to the instructions in the manual provided by the manufacturers.

5. Importance Of Regular Furnace Maintenance

It is extremely essential that you make sure to have regular maintenance of the furnace. This simple yet effective thing will help in increasing the lifespan of your heating system while preserving and improving its efficiency. You should schedule a professional inspection at least once a year to make sure everything is working smoothly. The task of maintenance includes various small jobs such as checking the air filters, cleaning the blower motor, examining the thermostat, and verifying proper ventilation. When you maintain the furnace properly then it helps in operating more efficiently while lowering the cost of energy and decreasing the chances of breakdowns.

When Should You Call A Professional For Furnace Issues?

Many of the furnace problems can be fixed easily by applying simple solutions like cleaning or replacing. However, there are certain major furnace problems that require you to call a professional. Below you see some issues that need expert attention to make sure of safety and efficiency.

  • When you hear strange sounds like banging, grinding, or squealing.
  • If your furnace is causing trouble starting or getting turned off repeatedly.
  • If you start to notice bad odors or the smell of gas leaks.
  • When there is a yellow pilot light showing instead of having blue flame.
  • When there is weak airflow from the vents.
  • You start to get higher energy bills.

To make sure that you find a trustworthy professional to fix your furnace problems you should first start by checking if they have the license or are properly certified. You can also check their online ratings and read the reviews given by their previous customers. To make the search easier you can take recommendations from your friends and family members. Lastly, always remember to ask how much they charge for their work.

Popular Furnace Filter Sizes

Conclusion

Here, you have learned how important it is that you have a furnace to keep your home warm and comfortable during the cold and chilly winter months. It is also quite essential that you properly maintain your furnace system. You have discovered that warning signs like irregular heating, strange sounds, higher energy bills, and not being able to start the furnace system are some of the signals that your furnace needs attention. Apart from these you also learn some common problems and their solutions and lastly, the issues for which you should seek help from a professional. All of this information will help you to properly maintain for furnace to keep your living space warm and comfortable.

To make sure that your furnace is operating efficiently you need to have a high-quality air filter. We at Custom Filters Direct have a wide range of options for you to choose from. Every air filter we have is premium that will help in improving the air quality of your home. Our air filters will help you keep your home comfortable while being quite energy efficient. To shop for the best air filters you can visit our website and if you have any questions then you can send us an email at info@customfiltersdirect.com or give us a call at 877-958-5612. Our experts will be happy to help you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Average Life Of A Residential Furnace?
The average life of a residential furnace is approximately 15 to 20 years. However, the lifespan depends of a furnace on several factors including the type of furnace you are using eclectic furnaces can last for a much longer period of time than gas units. When you are providing your furnace with proper maintenance then it will eventually last longer. You need to make sure that the size of the furnace is suitable for your home otherwise it will reduce the lifespan of your furnace.
How Many Hours Does A Furnace Run Per Day?
A furnace normally runs for about 9 hours a day but the total amount of time depends on different factors like the climate. During the colder months of winter, the furnace has to run for 8 hours per day while during the other seasons like spring and fall it is only required to run for 3 to 4 hours in a day. The overall size of your property also plays an important role as it affects the time period on how long will the furnace require to work.
How Frequently Should The Furnace Filter Be Replaced?
The frequency of the replacement of the furnace filter depends on the size of the air filter. If the size of the filter is 1 to 2 inches then it will be required to be replaced every 1 to 3 months. If the size is between 3 to 4 inches then you will need to replace the air filter every 6 to 9 months. Large air filters that size between 5 to 6 months need to be replaced in 10 months or once a year. The frequency of replacing the air filter of your furnace will increase if your home has small children or pets.
What Should I Do If My Furnace Is Making Loud Banging Noises?
If your furnace is making loud banging noises then there could be multiple reasons behind it. When the air filter of your furnace gets dirty or gets clogged it causes restrictions in the flow of air which eventually becomes the reason for loud noises. Another reason can be when the vents of the furnace get closed and then it can also restrict the airflow and cause loud noises. With the passage of time, the parts of the furnace like the motor, fan blades, or belts can get loose resulting in unusual noises.
What Should I Do If My Furnace Makes A Strange Smell?
You need to take immediate action when your furnace starts to smell strange. There are different reasons for getting different kinds of smells if you are getting the smells of burning plastic or melting rubber then it can be extremely dangerous as it increases the chances of fire hazard and you should immediately stop using your furnace and call a technician. However, if you are getting the smell of burning dust then there is no need to worry as it is quite normal when you start using your furnace at the beginning of the season. This smell goes away just after a few days.
Is It Ok To Leave The Furnace On All The Time?
It is not recommended that leave your furnace constantly on all the time. Regularly operating the furnace can cause damage to the motor of the fan which will eventually lead to frequent repairs. When you use your furnace all the time then you will need to replace the furnace air filter pretty frequently. If you choose to constantly run your air filter then it will start creating major problems in your heating system which can only be solved by a licensed and qualified HVAC professional.
Why Does My Furnace Keep Turning Off?
There could be several reasons that your furnace is getting turned off. When the flame sensor gets dirty then it will not be able to sense the flame and will eventually shut off the gas and cause the furnace to shut down. If the thermostat is not operating correctly it can turn off your furnace. A dirty or clogged air filter can make it pretty hard for the furnace to work and blocked exhaust vents can start to build up harmful gasses like carbon monoxide causing the furnace to turn off.

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