Furnace Fails to Turn On
There is probably nothing as disturbing as working the whole day and coming home to find your furnace has broken down, especially during the cold months. A comfortable home during the cold months of the year requires a fully functional furnace. When your home is warm, then your peace of mind is restored. There is a sweet sensation that comes about when there is some warmth in a chilly season. However, these are things that we do not have control over. It may reach a point where your furnace will break down. But there is no cause for alarm as it is easier to troubleshoot it. However, it is recommended that you seek an expert if the problem appears to be complicated. This article will demonstrate simple steps you will need to follow to Troubleshoot a Broken Furnace takes each problem at a time with the possible solutions to it.
Furnace Fails to Turn On
Failing to switch on is one of the most obvious signs of detecting that your furnace is malfunctioning. Before anxiety and stress can creep into your mind, there are simple solutions you can implement to repair it.
- Check the Thermostat
In this case, you will take a look to ensure that the thermostat is set correctly. This is the easiest way of solving the problem. The thermostat could be causing the problem because of reasons such as the thermostat temperature being too low to start the furnace, the thermostat is set to cool instead of heating, and the thermostat being near high-temperature sources and therefore leading to false readings.
- Circuit Breaker Tripped
A circuit breaker cannot trip itself; something must have caused it. In this case, you will check the circuit pane and ensure that it is turned OFF. Then you will turn ON the circuit. If there is a fuse that has blown, a replacement should be done accordingly. There is also a switch near the furnace that could turn the furnace ON or OFF. It will be prudent to countercheck to ascertain that no one accidentally flicked it.
- Check the Pilot Light or the Ignition Problem
A pilot light is found in the older models of furnaces while the ignition is found in the modern ones. Standing pilot light or ignition has the potential of causing the furnace failure to turn ON. You can use a screwdriver to open the furnace’s cover panel to have a clear look at the pilot light and then relight it. The blue colour is attributed to a successful pilot light. However, if the colour appears to be yellow or orange, it is multifunctional, and it needs a replacement.
Furnace Running Continually
Sometimes your furnace may fail to turn OFF. This may be very strange to some people as the house will continually be warm. There are simple steps to find a solution to this problem.
- Check the Thermostat
In this scenario, the primary area you will check is in the setting section at “heat.” It should be “auto” and not “ON.” There is a difference between “auto” and “ON.” “Auto” means that your furnace will operate automatically depending on the surrounding temperatures. Therefore, if the cold temperature persists, the furnace will continue to ensure a certain set temperature is maintained. The “ON” setting Will hold hostage your gas bill as it will continue to blast the heat.
- Ensure your Ducts are not Leaking
It is important to ensure that the ducts are properly functioning, and there are no leakages. A house cannot heat to its thermostat if the heat keeps on spilling along the way. Therefore, duct leakages could be harmful to the overall distribution of heat in the house. This problem could, however, be solved. To identify the area where the duct is leaking, explore the ductwork while the furnace is working. Once you locate the precise leaking point, tape it.
Furnace Turning ON and OFF and Blowing Cold Air
It isn’t comforting when a furnace keeps on turning ON and OFF and letting out a cool breeze. Many users will wonder about doing in such circumstances. You do not have to replace your furnace if you experience this kind of problem. There is a simple solution that you can implement to rectify the situation.
- Clean the Air Filter of the Furnace
The air filter’s primary function in a furnace is to reduce the possibility of contaminated air that is distributed in your house. By nature, nothing functions efficiently forever; the air filter of the furnace will be clogged with debris. When the air filter id clogged, it may lead to restriction of the flow of air, funnel running for a longer period something that will lead to overheating and as a result distributing cold air, reduced quality of air, turning ON and OFF of the furnace, and even total shutdown of the entire system. This should not cause you anxiety as it can be solved.
To solve the issue, you will need to check and replace your air filter. To check the air filter condition, you need to remove it then hold it against the light. If you cannot see through it, then it is probably clogged, and it needs replacement. It is quite a simple process. All you will need is to switch OFF your furnace, trace the air filter’s location, and replace it manually.
Conclusion
A furnace plays an important role in our lives when it comes to changing environmental conditions. During a cold season, a furnace comes in hand by bringing warmth. Equally, during the warm season, it aids in bringing a cool breeze. However, it has its own challenges. It sometimes breaks down, and we are left stressed and anxious. This is a minor problem which we can solve. It is not in all the areas we can repair them; there are circumstances where we may need to contact experts or even replace the entire furnace. Learning these simple troubleshooting steps of a broken furnace may be of great help in the future.