Your furnace is an integral part of your home. Without one, you wouldn’t be able to keep warm during cold weather. Yet furnaces can have some problems that are more typical than others.
Let’s go over these issues and discuss what they might cost to fix so you know before you contact an HVAC technician. Some of the most common furnace repair issues include:
- Furnace won’t turn on
- Furnace doesn’t stay lit
- Furnace won’t blow hot air
- Furnace won’t turn off
1. Furnace Won’t Turn On
There are a couple of reasons why your furnace won’t turn on, so make sure to check all of them.
- Is your thermostat set right? Make sure it’s on “heat,” “auto” and that your desired temperature is higher than the room’s current temperature. If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure it has new batteries.
- Is the circuit breaker tripped? Your furnace can’t operate if it doesn’t have power. Reset the switch if it’s facing the outside of the electrical panel.
- Is the furnace switch off? Your furnace has a power switch located on or close to it. Since this switch looks like a light switch, it’s easy to unintentionally turn it off. If it was off, it may take your furnace a few minutes to turn on.
- Is the air filter clean? A dirty air filter can create a lot of issues for your furnace. Replace yours if you can’t see light through it.
Estimated Repair Cost
This problem can be complex, so the estimated cost to repair it depends on what’s wrong.
2. Furnace Won’t Stay Lit
Your furnace uses a specific sequence when it begins heating your home.
- Your thermostat detects the temperature has dropped and tells your furnace to turn on.
- The draft inducer fan turns on to pull in fresh air for combustion.
- The gas valve opens for the burners, which are lit electronically.
- The flame sensor tells your furnace the burners have been lit.
If something is wrong during the sequence, your furnace will shut off as a safety precaution.
A couple of potential causes for this issue include:
- Dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor. If the sensor doesn’t sense a flame, it will shut off your furnace to prevent natural gas from spilling into your home. The ignition process corrodes flame sensors as time passes. While cleaning during annual furnace maintenance can help, yours may ultimately need to be taken out and changed.
- Bad limit switch. This safety feature will turn off your furnace if it detects backdrafting. Backdrafting is dangerous, since carbon monoxide and natural gas can leak into your home. These switches can malfunction due to age, damage or dust accumulation.
- Old thermostat. If your thermostat isn’t working correctly, your furnace won’t be able to operate.
- Dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can limit airflow and force your furnace to shut off to avoid overheating. Make sure to replace yours every 30 to 90 days, or anytime you can’t see light through it.
Estimated Repair Cost
These costs are estimates, so it’s important to note yours may vary based on your furnace’s brand and model.
- Flame sensor: $350–$500
- Limit switch: $150–$300
- Thermostat: $150–$350
- Furnace filter: $10-$30
3. Furnace Won’t Blow Hot Air
In many instances, this problem is linked to an incorrect thermostat setting or a dusty air filter that’s limiting airflow. Follow the steps above to resolve the problem.
4. Furnace Won’t Turn Off
If it’s extremely chilly outside or you like your home to be toasty, your furnace may be working for a long time.
If this isn’t what’s happening, make sure your thermostat is set correctly and working properly. If your fan setting is at “on,” the blower motor will be going even when the furnace isn’t, so it’ll sound like your furnace is running all the time.
Otherwise, there might be an issue with the blower motor or your ductwork may be losing air, making your furnace run continuously to make up for the air loss.
Estimated Repair Cost
These costs are estimates, so it’s necessary to note yours may be different based on your furnace’s brand and model.
- New blower motor: $250–$800
- Seal ductwork: varies based on square footage
Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. Can Solve Your Furnace Problems Quickly and Affordably
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