Winter is the most stressful time of year for furnaces, many of which work on a daily basis to keep their homes warm. That kind of daily use makes it more and more likely for the furnace to develop all kinds of problems. Since furnace problems get progressively worse the longer they are allowed to continue, it’s a good idea to call for repairs as soon as you notice anything strange with your system. Let’s go over a few furnace problems that you might run into this winter.
Short Cycling
Short cycling is when your furnace turns on and off every couple of minutes. It is caused by the air filter becoming clogged, which traps heat in the furnace. As the furnace overheats, the limit switch activates and shuts down the system to protect it. The limit switch can’t solve the root problem, though, and the system will just keep turning on and off indefinitely until it breaks down.
Strange Noises
Weird noises coming from your furnace are almost always an indication of a problem within the system. What kind of problem that is will depend on the type of noise. No matter what, though, you shouldn’t ignore this sign. If you hear any kind of unusual noises coming from your furnace, call for repairs immediately.
Failed Ignition
If you’re using a gas furnace, as most homeowners do, then your system relies on an ignition system to start up the burner assembly. It could be a standing pilot light, or a more modern electric system. No matter what kind of ignition system you have, though, if it malfunctions your furnace will not be able to activate. If your furnace doesn’t seem to be turning on, this might be why.