3 Furnace Problems To Be Prepared For

A lack of understanding about the problems that the furnace system in your home can experience may limit your ability to respond to situations where the home has lost its source of heat. Unfortunately, this is a problem that can occur with any gas furnace regardless of its age.

What Could Cause Your Furnace To Experience Frequent Cycling On And Off?

Cycling is easily among the most common problems that a home’s furnace can experience. When this occurs, the unit will turn off and on fairly quickly. In addition to reducing the ability of the system to warm the home, this can also indicate that there is a serious problem with the unit. Typically, cycling occurs due to the furnace overheating and being forced to shut down.

Poor ventilation can be a source of this problem as the unit will not be able to expel the excess heat from the mechanical and electrical components. If thoroughly cleaning the side vents does not correct this problem, you will need to have the system professionally repaired as this could indicate that there is a problem with the temperature regulator or the burner is outputting too much heat.

Why Can Corrosion Be A Common Problem For Furnace Systems?

Homeowners will often be surprised by the fact that the furnace will be extremely vulnerable to corrosion damage. This can be due to the fact that the furnace may be kept in the basement or other area that can be prone to moisture problems. Furthermore, the temperature change that these units will cause can lead to condensation being more likely to form on the exterior or near the vents.

If you notice condensation forming on the exterior of your unit, it may be worth considering placing a dehumidifier near the unit to help reduce the moisture content of the air.

Why Should You Clean The Furnace’s Ignition Or Burner Every Few Weeks?

The most common type of care that your furnace will require is going to be cleaning the burner or the ignition. At the start of the heating season, you will need to clean the burner so that you remove any dust that gathered while the unit was dormant.

The furnace’s burner should be cleaned every few weeks during the winter so that any residue or other unburnt fuel is removed. If left, these substances can severely degrade the performance of the system by reducing the amount of heat output that the burner is generating from the fuel.

Furnace Maintenance Tips

Here is some furnace maintenance to reduce repair costs and prevent replacement:

1. Cleaning and Changing the Filters Before Change of Seasons

One of the most basic parts of HVAC maintenance is changing the air filters, and this is also something that needs to be done first with your furnace. In addition to changing the filters before winter weather, occasionally check the filters and change them if needed throughout the coldest months of the year to ensure your heating is working good and reduce wear that can lead to costly repairs.

2. Checking Furnace Wiring for Damage and Wear That Needs Repairs

Furnace wiring can be damaged by things like heat, pests or just common wear. Therefore, it is important to inspect the wiring of your furnace before the winter months to ensure no repairs are needed and everything is working efficiently.

If you do have problems with your furnace during the winter months, you may want to inspect the water for signs of damage wiring that can lead to some of these problems.

3. Cleaning Ducts, Vents and Blower to Ensure Your Heating Has Good Airflow

Cleaning the ducts and vents are also maintenance tasks that need to be done during the winter months. Cleaning these things and removing clutter that blocks vents will help improve airflow and the efficiency of your furnace.

You may want to clean dust and dirt from the furnace’s blower to further improve airflow and efficiency of your heating.

4. Cleaning the Pilot Light and Heating Elements During Winter for More Efficient Heating

Pilot lights are another area of furnaces that need to be maintained before and during the winter months. Before the winter months start, you will want to clean pilot lights and heating elements of your furnace to make sure they are working efficiently. You may also want to occasionally clean the pilot light throughout the winter months, especially if you find you have problems with the pilot light going out.

These are some furnace maintenance tips to help reduce repair costs and the need to have your furnace replaced. If you need help with maintenance and repairs, contact a professional HVAC technician.