Why You Should Leave Furnace Repair to a Certified Professional
Furnaces are complicated machinery with many mechanical parts that could break or become loose. It’s best to leave any Furnace Repair Cincinnati or maintenance service to a certified professional.
If your heater shuts off, check the circuit breaker to see if it was tripped by a power surge. If the breaker keeps tripping, it may need to be replaced.
The ignitor is the part of your furnace that creates an ignition spark to ignite the gas in the heat exchanger. If it fails, the gas will not burn, and your Furnace will stop heating. Several different reasons may cause the ignitor to fail. The most common is that it has become dirty and isn’t able to ignite the gas, which is why your Furnace shuts off the operation until you fix it. Other reasons include that the ignitor isn’t getting enough power to work, or that there are electrical problems in your circuit board or other parts of your furnace. If these things happen, you should call a professional because the problems could put your safety at risk and might damage other components of your Furnace.
When a problem occurs, the first step is to check that your circuit breakers haven’t tripped as a result of too much power being demanded all at once. Furnaces require a significant amount of electricity to operate, and your home’s circuit breakers will trip as a safeguard to prevent too many demands from being placed on the system at one time.
You should also look at your air filter to make sure that it isn’t clogged. A clogged air filter can prevent the air from flowing properly through your furnace and can trigger a variety of malfunctions. You can also check the ducts to see that there isn’t any debris blocking the flow of air.
If you can’t find anything wrong with the ignitor, you might have an issue with the flame sensor or the pressure switch. These are located inside a sealed combustion chamber, and you might have to remove the furnace door to access them. Consult your furnace’s service manual for a diagram showing their locations, and use a lighted flexible mirror to help you discover the wire colors that lead to them.
If the pressure switch has been triggered repeatedly, it may have burned out. Replace it, and your furnace will resume igniting after each cycle. You might have an electronic ignition system, instead of the old-fashioned pilot light.
Thermostat
If your furnace constantly runs and won’t turn off, it might need a new thermostat. Having it replaced will save you money on high utility bills and repair costs. Thermostats aren’t cheap and it’s a job best left to professionals.
Furnaces have many mechanical parts that could break or become loose. When they do, it’s time to call a specialist for a service appointment. Having a professional inspect the unit will prevent it from continuing to operate incorrectly and cause further damage.
The first thing to check is whether the furnace breaker switch is flipped down. Since it looks like a light switch, it can easily be mistaken for one and someone might have flipped it off by accident. If it’s flipped, it needs to be turned on.
Another issue may be that the furnace blower fan is set to “on” and that’s causing it to run continuously, raising your energy bill and potentially damaging the motor. The white button on the switch needs to be pulled out to reset it.
Lastly, if the thermostat isn’t registering the correct room temperature, it might need to be replaced. Depending on the type of thermostat, there are a variety of ways to test it. For example, you can compare the temperature setting to the actual room temperature, or you can make sure the date and time are correct on electronic or programmable models.
A sour smell is usually a sign that the heat exchanger has an issue and it’s time to call for a repair. The smell is caused by layers of dirt burning off the heat exchanger over time and it can be a fire hazard if not addressed.
When the heat exchanger is working properly, it should emit a slight glow and the furnace should turn on and off at normal intervals. When it doesn’t, there might be a problem with the thermocouple or the ignitor. A professional can diagnose the issue by examining the unit and checking its components. If you do decide to repair it yourself, make sure to unplug the unit and remove the cover. It’s also important to use a screwdriver with insulated handles and grip wires with needle-nose pliers.
Blower Motor
If the blower motor isn’t working, it won’t be able to circulate air through your home. The first thing you should do is check the vents and filters for clogging. It is also important to make sure that the arrows on your air filter are pointing in the direction of the blower motor. If they are not, this will cause the motor to stop working.
Moisture is another reason why your blower motor might not be working. If it gets wet, this can cause rusting on metal components within the motor. It can also short circuit the motor and lead to failure. This can occur due to humid weather or a leaky roof. If this happens, it’s best to call a professional for repairs.
A professional can help you choose a cost-effective replacement blower motor and install it properly. They can also provide input on the overall condition of your furnace and suggest other fixes or upgrades to make sure your system is running efficiently.
If you hear a grinding or rattling sound from your blower motor, it may be because it is overheating or nearing the end of its life. This can be a costly repair, but it is also an opportunity to save money by switching to a more energy efficient model.
The limit switch is another critical component that prevents the fan from operating at an unsafe temperature. It senses the temperature inside the blower fan and tells it when to start and shut off. If your limit switch is damaged, it can overheat and emit a burning smell.
A gas valve is what allows your gas (or propane) to flow into the system and the blower fan to blow the warm air through your home. It is a key safety component, and if it fails to operate correctly, your system can produce dangerous carbon monoxide.
The gas valve can be a simple fix or require a replacement unit, which can run between $75 to $200 for repairs and up to $1,500 for replacement. It is important to replace this part quickly if it’s faulty because it will fail soon and you won’t be able to use your furnace at all.
Heat Exchanger
A furnace’s heat exchanger is the metal shield between the combustion chamber and the blower that works to dispense heated air throughout your home. The heat exchanger is designed to ensure the gases that are being burned in your furnace are safe for your family to breathe. If cracks form in the heat exchanger, carbon monoxide and other dangerous gases will leak into your house, putting your family’s health at risk.
A cracked heat exchanger is a major safety concern that can only be repaired with the removal and replacement of the damaged cell. This is a costly repair, and often it is better to replace the entire furnace at this point, which will save you money on your energy bills in addition to providing a newer more efficient furnace.
If your furnace repeatedly trips the breaker or experiences a continual overheating problem, this is a good indication that there is an electrical issue. Our technicians can examine the thermostat and the breaker box to find the root of the problem and have it fixed quickly.
Uneven heating of your home can be an indicator that the heat exchanger is starting to wear out. If your hot and cold spots are getting more pronounced, you will be spending more on your energy bills to heat them up, which can lead to higher than usual utility bills.
Strange smells in your home can also indicate a problem with the furnace’s heat exchanger. Natural gas is odorless, but to help detect leaks the utility company adds an additive called mercaptan to your gas. This chemical gives the gas a rotting egg or sulfuric smell, which can be detected by your nose. If you notice this smell, contact your gas utility immediately to shut off your gas line.
The rattling and banging noises your furnace is making are another obvious sign that it is wearing out. They may signal that the grate is loose and needs to be replaced, or that the sleeve is cracked and needs to be replaced. If the grate is loose, we will be able to fix it with some metal tape.