Common Furnace Problems to Expect and How to Troubleshoot Them

Table of Contents

1. The Furnace Is Making Strange Noises
2. The Furnace Is Not Heating the House Properly
3. The Furnace Keeps Shutting Off
4. The Furnace Is Smoking
5. How to troubleshoot a furnace problem?[+]
   1. Furnace problem: Blown fuse or tripped breaker
   2. Furnace problem: The pilot light is out
   3. Furnace problem: The system is not working
   4. Furnace problem: Rattling noise
   5. Furnace problem: The furnace is cycling on and off too frequently
   6. Furnace problem: The furnace is not heating properly
   7. Furnace problem: The furnace is working but is not producing enough heat
   8. Furnace problem: The furnace is running too loudly
6. How to take care of a furnace[+]
   1. Keep the furnace area clear
   2. Change the filter regularly
   3. Inspect the furnace every year
   4. Schedule annual maintenance.
   5. Make sure it is the right size for your house

If you have a furnace in your home, you expect it to work well and keep you warm all winter long. However, even the best of furnaces can have problems from time to time.

If you are worried that your furnace may be experiencing some issues, examine this list of common furnace problems to see if any of them sound familiar.

The Furnace Is Making Strange Noises

Hearing strange sounds coming from your furnace could be a sign that something is wrong with the motor or that some other part of the furnace is wearing out. If your furnace is making unusual noises, it may be time to call in an expert to handle any furnace repair.

The Furnace Is Not Heating the House Properly

If a furnace is not heating your house correctly, it may be time for repair. Some things could be causing this problem, including a dirty filter or a broken part.

The Furnace Keeps Shutting Off

When your furnace is constantly shutting off, it may indicate that something is wrong with the thermostat or that the furnace is overworked. If your furnace keeps shutting off, you should call in an expert from Air Makers to find out what is wrong and fix it.

The Furnace Is Smoking

If your furnace starts smoking, it could be a sign of trouble. You should call in an expert immediately to avoid any serious furnace problems.

How to troubleshoot a furnace problem?

There are different furnace problems, as illustrated above. Below are some of the ways to troubleshoot your furnace:

1. Furnace problem: Blown fuse or tripped breaker

If your furnace is not working and the appliance is plugged into a receptacle, make sure you check for any blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers in the house panel box. Also, keep in mind that the tripped circuit breaker could be located in another section of your home other than where it’s installed.

If the furnace is not working and it’s unplugged, inspect the main electrical panel in the home to ensure that you haven’t tripped any circuit breakers in any section of your home. Additionally, if you find a tripped circuit breaker in another housing area, switch it back on and start with an alternate part of the circuit breaker box.

After having checked both the fuse and circuit breaker box, and confirming they are fine, then there may be a problem with your furnace.

2. Furnace problem: The pilot light is out

If your furnace has a pilot light, it’s essential to ensure that you light it. The pilot light is out, you’ll need to relight it.

When your home doesn’t have a pilot light, consequently, you’ll need to locate the furnace’s manual reset button and press it in to reset the switch. Furthermore, when no one has done this recently, there may be an issue with your furnace.

3. Furnace problem: The system is not working

If the furnace is not working, it’s essential to determine whether the system is blowing cold air or no air at all. If the system is blowing cold air, you may have a problem with the thermostat setting or the filter.

4. Furnace problem: Rattling noise

The furnace is making a rattling noise, it’s crucial to determine where the noise is coming from. The rattling could result from a loose panel, a dirty filter, or a broken belt.

5. Furnace problem: The furnace is cycling on and off too frequently

If your furnace is cycling on and off too frequently, it’s crucial to determine the underlying cause. The problem could be a dirty filter, a blocked airflow, or a problem with the thermostat.

6. Furnace problem: The furnace is not heating properly

If the heating system is not working correctly, first, check to make sure there’s a power supply running to it. If your furnace has a pilot light, ensure that it is lit.

7. Furnace problem: The furnace is working but is not producing enough heat

The heater is working correctly, but it’s not producing enough heat, you probably have a heat exchanger or single-speed blower problem. You may have to call a professional to fix this issue.

8. Furnace problem: The furnace is running too loudly

If your furnace appears to be running too loudly, you can first try to resolve the issue by checking for dirt around its blower and cycling system. If this doesn’t work, check the capacitor and limit switch.

How to take care of a furnace

1. Keep the furnace area clear

It is vital to keep the area around your furnace clear to have plenty of airflow. A cluttered area around the furnace can cause it to work harder than necessary and may lead to problems down the road.

2. Change the filter regularly

One of the best ways to keep your furnace running smoothly is to change the filter regularly. A dirty filter can cause the furnace to work harder than necessary and lead to many problems.

3. Inspect the furnace every year

Inspect your furnace every year to ensure no problems with it. If you find any issues, you should call an expert to fix them.

4. Schedule annual maintenance.

It’s also a good idea to perform yearly maintenance on your furnace to help keep it running smoothly. Performing maintenance will help catch any problems before they become too serious.

5. Make sure it is the right size for your house

To ensure your furnace is the correct size for your home, avoid getting one that’s too small or too large, as it will either struggle to heat or work harder than necessary. In summary, it’s crucial to promptly call in an expert to address common furnace problems and ensure continued efficient operation for years to come.

Thank you for reading!