You depend on your furnace to stay safe and comfortable over the winter months. After all, Missouri has had its fair share of blizzards and arctic air. The last thing you want is for your furnace to fail in the middle of one of these storms.
The best way to avoid significant problems that cost an arm and a leg to repair is to prevent them to start with. However, there are some common problems that many people experience that may be able to be fixed easily. Air Unlimited in Liberty, MO, offers you these common furnace issues along with their possible solutions so that you can make informed decisions and so that you can have peace of mind in our ability to get the job done for you correctly the first time.
1. Insufficient Hot Air Flow
It may start subtly, but eventually, you might notice that the air coming from your registers is not as forceful as it should be. This is actually a very common problem and is a fairly simple fix in most cases.
The first thing to check is your air filter. If this is clogged, your system cannot draw the volume of air needed, preventing more air from flowing out. Be sure to check the filter every 30 days. If your home is extra dusty, you may need to replace your filter a little more often to keep air flowing properly.
Aside from your filter, you may have a problem with your circulating fan or a clogged heat exchanger. This happens due to dust collecting in these areas. You may be able to access your circulating fan to clean it, but this fix is certainly safer if you have an HVAC professional handle it.
2. No Heat at All
You know you have a significant problem if you do not have any heat at all. It could be as simple as checking your thermostat and ensuring that it is set correctly and has a good battery.
However, if this attempt does not fix the issue, you need to call a professional. Depending on the type of heating system you have, it could be any of the following:
- Clogged air filters
- Problems with the gas supply
- Faulty ignitor
- Malfunctioning ignition or flame sensor
- Low fluid levels in a heat pump
Unless you are professionally trained for how to work on a furnace, you should hire a certified technician. Well-meaning but untrained hands can create significant safety hazards, such as natural gas or carbon monoxide leaks.
3. Furnace Is Short-Cycling
Another common problem is what is known as short cycling. This is when the furnace cycles frequently without running long enough to actually raise the temperature to the desired level.
Short-cycling can indicate a number of possible problems. Like many furnace issues, start by checking your air filters. If these are clogged, then it puts additional strain on the entire system. This includes raising the temperature of the heat exchanger quickly because enough air is not flowing across it.
Beyond clogged air filters, short cycling can be caused by:
- Blocked vents
- Faulty exhaust fan
- Malfunctioning thermostat
- Clogged or cracked heat exchanger
Best Ways to Prevent These Problems
If you have not caught it yet, the single best thing you can do to prevent these kinds of problems is to change your air filters. This is a simple fix that anyone is capable of doing, and it is inexpensive.
Ensuring you have good filters with proper flow through them will reduce your service life repairs. They will also help reduce your energy bill and reduce air quality problems. They are a win-win all the way around.
The next best thing you can do is schedule regular maintenance on your furnace. This is a better way to plan for the repairs you may face rather than waiting for a catastrophic failure.
During a maintenance visit, a technician performs a series of checks, tests, and tasks to keep your furnace running optimally. These include:
- Cleaning your heat exchanger
- Checking the electrical connections
- Cleaning your circulating fan
- Testing the entire system
- Testing the various safety systems
- Checking and tightening component screws
Heating Professionals You Can Trust
When you need to call a heating company to help with your furnace, you want to know you can trust that company. Air Unlimited has been the company to call in the Liberty, MO, area since 2010. Offering a full range of heating and cooling installation, repair, and maintenance services, it is the only company you will need to contact. Some of our other service offerings are garage heaters, air handlers, and mini-split systems. We also can provide indoor air quality audits and trusted proven solutions. Give our team a call today to schedule your consultation to ensure you are safe and comfortable all winter long. We look forward to serving your indoor home climate comfort needs.