Common Furnace Problems We Fix
Modern residential furnaces have an exceptional reputation for reliability. On average, a well-maintained gas furnace should last at least 15 years. A well-maintained electric furnace can last 20 years or more. However, both types can experience component failures over their lifetimes. When those failures occur, turn to Ideal Conditions Heating & Air Conditioning for furnace repair.
Some kinds of furnace problems can strike both electric and gas models. Degraded or loose wiring is an excellent example of that. Faulty power wiring can prevent a furnace from operating at all. Meanwhile, loose or damaged control wiring can interrupt communication between your furnace and thermostat. Our HVAC experts have the training and diagnostic tools to identify and solve any wiring problem. Another issue that can affect any kind of furnace is a faulty control board. It’s the brain of the furnace, interpreting signals from your thermostat and telling your furnace when and how to operate. When you call us for furnace service, we can repair or replace your control board to restore normal operation.
Electric and gas furnace models may also have issues stemming from limit switch malfunctions. A limit switch is a critical safety device that turns off the furnace when its temperature is too high. However, if the switch fails, it may send a shutoff signal at an inappropriate time. In rare cases, a failed limit switch can allow your furnace to overheat, damaging it and increasing the risk of fire. Fortunately, your furnace has fail-safes that force it to shut off if the limit switch malfunctions, minimizing that risk.
Electric furnace models can suffer some failures you won’t experience with a gas furnace. A common failure point in an electric furnace is its sequencer. It’s a component that staggers the activation of the furnace’s heating elements. When it malfunctions, your furnace may behave erratically. It may fail to produce adequate heat because some of its heating elements won’t turn on. Or it may trip its circuit breaker because too many heating elements activate at once. In either case, we can replace the sequencer to resolve the problem.
A gas furnace has a few unique components that can fail, too. A common example is a gas furnace’s ignitor. If yours is an older furnace, it may use a pilot light for ignition. Newer models, meanwhile, use electric ignitors. Either type can malfunction, causing your furnace to fail. Our experts can fix all types of furnace ignition systems to get yours running again.
You should watch out for the following signs that you need immediate furnace repairs.
- Short cycling
- Strange smells
- Unusual sounds
- Weak airflow
- Unresponsive thermostat
If you own a gas furnace, be especially careful regarding natural gas or carbon monoxide leaks. A gas leak should produce a noticeable rotten egg smell around your furnace. If you smell that, evacuate your home right away and contact emergency services. They’ll work in concert with your gas company to halt the leak and ensure your home is safe. Then, we’ll send a technician to make repairs.
Carbon monoxide leaks, meanwhile, don’t create obvious smells or sounds. That makes it essential to keep your home’s carbon monoxide detectors in working order. If they alert you to carbon monoxide, leave your home immediately. Then, take the same steps you would for a gas leak. While a gas leak can cause a fire or explosion, carbon monoxide can be fatal at sufficiently high concentrations. Because carbon monoxide is a normal byproduct of gas combustion, it’s crucial to keep your furnace in top working order to keep it working safely.
