In our industry, we know all about common furnace problems. When the weather starts getting cooler, and it is the time of year to turn the furnace on to heat their homes, some homeowners find themselves left in the cold. You may find the thermostat just is not turned to heat, the filter is dirty and needs to be changed, or a pilot needs re-lit. A more severe problem may also be an issue if you find your unit making grinding, scraping, or squealing noises. It is cold and you may experience one– or more of these common furnace problems. Do not panic! Call Sal’s Heating & Cooling, Plumbing & Sewer, Inc.
No Heat
If your furnace is not producing the heat, the first thing to check is for a dirty or clogged filter. Always ensure there is proper airflow to your unit with a clean filter. Make sure to change the filter regularly. Always change your filter before turning your furnace on for the colder weather season.
Is the pilot out? If so, click here.
Next, you will want to make sure your furnace and thermostat both have power. Maybe your thermostat needs new batteries? You also want to make sure the thermostat is set to heat, assess your home’s vents, clear anything blocking them, and make sure they are open. Furnace repair troubleshooting doesn’t have to be done alone. Save time and hassle by contacting a professional.
Furnace Turns On/Off Frequently
Is your furnace turning on and off frequently? We call this “short cycling”. A furnace that is short cycling will make your energy bills rise in addition to wearing your equipment down faster. It could be a sign of a defective thermostat, dirty filter, or several other potential problems that need to be diagnosed by a qualified professional.
However, during freezing weather, this may be normal. It is harder for your furnace to keep your home at the right comfortable temperature in extreme temperatures.
Pilot Out or Electric Ignition Problem
Older model furnaces have a pilot light that sometimes needs re-lit. Please note: the gas also may need to be turned back on to the unit prior to relighting the pilot. Other signs of an issue are yellow, orange, red, or purple flame or a flickering or sputtering of the flame. In Newer models the unit will have an electric ignition and if one fails you will have a loss of heat. You will need a qualified professional to diagnose the problem and resolve it for you.
Furnace Noises
Thumping, humming, squealing, banging, and rumbling are all signs of an internal issue in your furnace. If you hear any loud or unusual sounds coming from your furnace, it could be a sign of a serious problem. It would be best to turn off the power and gas to the unit and call a professional as soon as possible to access the system and diagnose the problem. If left on, you can cause more damage to the furnace.
Contact Sal’s
If you find yourself with a furnace emergency, contact Sal’s Heating & Cooling, Plumbing & Sewer, Inc. There are live representatives available 24/7, including holidays and weekends, to answer your call! We also offer annual clean and check services that help prevent any problems from happening with your unit and ensure your system is running efficiently. It can save you the headache by helping catch common furnace problems early before they turn into more significant issues down the road.