The weather is getting cold and you turn your furnace to ‘auto’ and set the thermostat, knowing it will get cold tonight when you go to bed. You wake up at 3 am and the house is cold. The furnace isn’t kicking on and you don’t know why. This is a common problem. Before you call in an expert, know how to troubleshoot and what may be the issue.
Common Furnace Problems That Cost Money
Including the Top Three Issues:
Dirty filters can cause unnecessary wear and tear by making our system work too hard. Aside from higher energy costs, your system may fail entirely, needing repairs or replacement. You can expect to pay anywhere from $3k to $15k on a heating system, depending on the type (electric or gas) and the size of your home. Remember to replace your filters every single month during the cold season and make sure they have been changed again when you officially shut your furnace off in spring.
If you hear a high-pitched squeal, it could be something as simple as a blower belt. You will still most likely need to call a professional out to make the repair and replace the belt, but it will cost less than a major repair or replacement. If it is the weekend, you’ll pay more to get someone out. Consider if you can get by with space heaters until a Monday.
If you have a problem with the electronic ignition, a gas furnace will not fire. This will need to be replaced by a certified HVAC person in furnace repair Denver folks can trust. They are able to make repairs on gas appliances. Working with gas can be dangerous and if you don’t know what you are doing, don’t try to repair a gas appliance, especially a furnace.
Other Common Issues:
Thermostat malfunctions are a large majority of furnace malfunctions. Many people can replace their own thermostat and they are the least expensive part of the heating system in your home. If you are uncomfortable programming the clock in your car, hire someone.
Scraping sounds can indicate a ball bearing that is worn out in a blower fan. This could be a costly repair depending on the size and type of your unit. Many blower fans are located in attic space. You’ll likely need a professional to come out and diagnose the repair and replace the fan assembly.
General problems that can cause thumping and banging sounds indicate that there is an airflow problem, a system blockage, a fan that is loose or losing a bearing. You’ll need a professional to come and test the system and diagnose the problem accurately.
Cycling between on and off can be a clogged filter or even a problem with the thermostat. Try to reset your thermostat. If the issue persists, you’ll need to call a professional who can check all of the common system issues that may lead to this issue.
There is nothing more upsetting than to face a problem with a furnace once the weather is already cold. Preventative maintenance should be done each year, well before the weather gets cold. It’s not just uncomfortable, it’s dangerous to have no heat when the weather turns cold. Your electronics can be damaged from severe cold too.
Schedule your routine system checks in the late summer to early fall. Remember that when the weather is already cold, repairmen will be very busy trying to take care of all the emergency break-downs that inevitably happen in that first cold snap. Don’t wait. Don’t find yourself sitting there wrapped in a blanket in front of a portable heater, waiting on a technician.
