Gas Furnaces: Common Problems You Might Encounter

Furnaces play a vital role in keeping homes warm during the cold winter days. So whether using a high-efficiency gas furnace or a conventional gas furnace, keeping it in good working condition is essential. Besides that, you need to invest in professional furnace repair services from a registered HVAC contractor to ensure the longevity of the unit. Below are some of the issues your furnace might develop in the course of its lifespan.  

Excessive System Cycles

Short-cycling increases the frequency at which the furnace that is gas-powered switches on and off, even when the desired temperature is not attained. As a result, it leaves the house colder than the set temperature.

Excessive cycles can result from faulty or corroded flame sensors. Furthermore, dirty air filters lead to blocked airflow, which retains heat within the furnace and prevents the warm air from getting released. The furnace eventually shuts off before the room is warm enough. Similarly, a clogged flue or air leaks hinder a normal heating cycle.

Malfunctioning Electronic Ignition

Unlike traditional models, modern gas furnaces are powered by electricity to ignite the gas burners. And you can have your electronic ignition in one of these two ways: either your ignition is a hot-surface ignition or an intermittent pilot.

An electronically-driven resistance heating element is used in the hot-surface ignition system. If these electronic components become faulty, the blower may run for extended durations. Besides that, the furnace might experience increased cycles or stop giving out warm air. 

Noisy furnace

A noisy furnace can be an indication of a looming problem. As the fan belt wears out or slips, you will hear a clanging noise in the blower compartment. If it slips further or breaks, it damages other system components.

Dirty motor bearings also produce grinding noises and may need to be replaced. Additionally, grime build-up in the gas jets causes them to block, resulting in booming sounds as the furnace attempts to ignite. When these issues are left unaddressed, your furnace may overheat.

Faulty Thermostat

The thermostat regulates the heat produced by your gas furnace during the winter months. Though the thermostat can deliver uninterrupted service for many years, it may experience reduced efficiency due to age. However, the thermostat can show erroneous readings due to bad wiring, accumulation of dust around the thermostat, and misalignment of furnace components.

The Pilot Light Disappears

This issue mainly arises in older furnaces containing a standing pilot. A strong draft, clogged gas tube, a broken thermocouple may all contribute to the disappearance of the standing pilot. Fortunately, relighting the standing pilot light is not difficult. A faulty thermocouple is also replaceable.

Considering how vital a gas furnace is during cold days, you need to maintain it in the best condition possible. Once you detect any of the issues above, hire an HVAC contractor right away to prevent further damage to your gas furnace. 

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