At Dor-Mar Heating and Air Conditioning we understand a furnace becomes the most important appliance in a household during an Ohio winter. With sub zero temperatures, a furnace is essential in maintaining warmth for the home. And as useful as they may be, heaters also encounter various issues during the cold season.
In order to enjoy a functioning furnace, it is essential for you to know what causes these problems and how to fix them. Additionally, if you have a broken furnace, you have the option to either consult the services of a professional furnace repair company or try to fix the simple issues by yourself. Here are the main furnace problems you are likely to encounter this winter.
Blocked Air Filters
When a furnace is not in use, dust, and dirt, tend to accumulate in the system. As a result, when the furnace needs to get utilized during the winter, it blows cold air because the hot air can’t get through the air filters. To a novice, the issue may appear as if they have a broken furnace, but in reality, it’s just a blockage. Hence, to avoid the problem, have the air filters inspected on a regular basis and have them cleaned/replaced at least once every three months.
Inconsistencies In Airflow
During the winter, you may realize that the air flow is uneven where some rooms tend to be warmer or colder than others when the furnace is working. There are various reasons as to why the air flow is inconsistent, but primarily it has to do with the air ducts and insulation. When the air ducts are unattended to for a long time, they may also accumulate dust, cobwebs, etc. all of which will prevent the efficient flow of warm air to various parts of the house.
Alternatively, if the system leaks, cold air could be leaking into the system and thus some rooms will be colder than the rest. Another common reason for this is a poor installation of the air ducts such that the air flow doesn’t get evenly matched to all room ducts.
Production of Carbon Monoxide
One of the severe repercussions of a broken furnace is the production of excessive amounts of carbon monoxide. An output of the gas is hazardous to humans and can lead to death if unchecked and as a result, it is essential to have a carbon monoxide detector in your residence.
In old furnaces, carbon monoxide can be a problem that occurs if the heat exchanger has tiny cracks that allow the gas to leak through. However, carbon monoxide occurs when there is excess moisture or water leaks, and soot streaks around the furnace. If you do not have a carbon monoxide detector, make sure to check the color of the flame in the stove regularly. The glow is typically blue, but when it changes to yellow, this signifies the production of carbon monoxide.
Power or heat loss
When your furnace begins to lose heat or power, this is a sign that something is broken. Quite often, the reason behind it is usually a broken ignition system or a malfunctioning pilot light. To confirm whether this is the problem, check whether the pilot light is on. If it is not on then, it will require getting re-lit for the furnace to heat your home.
A furnace that won’t turn on
This is a standard issue that most people consider as the result of a broken heater. Quite often the problem has nothing to do with the furnace but instead the switches. If your furnace doesn’t start, check the thermostat first and ensure that it is set to heat. Additionally, ensure that the fan settings are set to auto so that the fan blows warm air to the ducts. If the problem is not the thermostat, check your circuit breaker to see if any circuit has tripped.
If you check and confirm that it is not any of these issues causing your furnace problems, then you can assume you need to consult a furnace repair technician to have a look.
