Furnace Issues You Need To Be Aware Of

Winter is when heating systems are most likely to develop issues related to wear and tear. Make sure that you always take precautions to keep your furnace in good operating condition.

One way you can make sure that your furnace stays in good shape is to know the signs that your system is experiencing a malfunction so that you can call for repairs as early as possible. The quicker you have the problem repaired, the better off your furnace – and your wallet – will be. Let’s go over the more common furnace issues you need to worry about.

Delayed Ignition

If you have a gas furnace and it’s making a loud booming sound every time it turns on, your unit might have a problem with delayed ignition. This sometimes happens when carbon particles build up on the jets in the burner assembly. The more clogged the jets get, the harder it becomes for them to ignite promptly. When they do ignite, they burn through the accumulated gas all at once. This generates the booming sound you hear. Having a professional cleaning of your burner assembly should resolve the issue. Don’t wait too long, though – your burner assembly can become clogged to the point where it won’t ignite at all!

Air Flow Issues

Your furnace can also experience airflow problems in a couple of different ways during operation. The first is that your air handler might malfunction. The air handler is responsible for circulating air throughout your home while the furnace is running. If the handler malfunctions, then your system won’t be able to distribute the heat it generates.

The second issue is that your air filter can become clogged. If you don’t change the filter often enough, it’ll eventually become filled with dust and debris pulled in through your cold air returns. A clogged filter will block much – if not most – of the air from entering the furnace, disrupting its output. You can avoid this by simply replacing the filter at least once every three months, or by having a professional replace it for you.

Short Cycling

Short cycling is characterized by a furnace turning itself on and off every couple of minutes, instead of completing its full heating cycle. Short cycling can cause a number of furnace problems, but the most dangerous one is that it will cause your furnace to wear out more quickly. A short cycling furnace is more likely to have parts break and will see its overall lifespan shortened by years.

As the saying goes, “knowing is half the battle”. Learning the signs of HVAC problems and paying attention to what your heating system is doing (or not doing). Call Hey Neighbor Heating & Cooling for repairs as soon as you notice your system exhibiting any of these symptoms, or you could be setting yourself up for a much larger problem – and expense – down the road.