One of the most common problems you will encounter is your furnace needing to be fixed. Whether you are experiencing trouble turning the unit on or off or not getting any airflow, there are several potential causes for your problem.

changing furnace filter

Air Filter

There are many furnace problems; one of the most common is the air filter. The air filter is a vital part of your heating and cooling system, and a dirty filter can cause various issues. In addition to reducing the effectiveness of your home’s heating and cooling, a clogged air filter can cause your furnace to overheat and even break. This is particularly true if your filter needs to be cleaned regularly. If your furnace stops functioning, the blower motor has probably been harmed or broken, requiring furnace repair in Chicago. Eventually, this will cause the entire unit to malfunction. That can cost hundreds of dollars to fix. Another possible issue is a faulty limit switch. If a limit switch is broken, it will not shut off your furnace when it reaches a specific temperature. The same thing can happen if your air ducts are blocked. Not only will this prevent the unit from efficiently heating or cooling your home, but it can also be costly to fix.

Pilot Light

If you have a furnace and your pilot light isn’t lighting up, you may be experiencing a variety of problems. These include a faulty thermocouple or a dirty gas valve. It is also possible that you need to relight your pilot. Before you get started, make sure that you have all of the tools that you will need. Your furnace manual will have detailed instructions on relighting your pilot. You can find your furnace’s reset button near the gas valve. If you cannot light the pilot, try turning the gas back on and closing the access panel. Typically, this is done with the help of a screwdriver. Some issues that could cause your pilot light to go out include leaks in your ductwork or airflow problems. To prevent this from happening, you should regularly clean the ducts and vents in your furnace. Performing this maintenance will reduce the wear and tear on the various components in your furnace.

diagnosing furnace issue

Circuit Breaker Tripped

It may signify something more severe if your heater trips your circuit breaker. To reset it yourself, though, would be preferable. Contact an HVAC company instead. The specialists can identify the problem and repair your heating system. Most furnaces use a lot of electricity, so they must be linked to a different circuit. If they don’t, they’ll run too hard and ineffectively. This is especially true if other appliances are traveling along the same path. Another cause of tripped breakers is faulty wiring. This can happen when the wiring inside your furnace wears out after years of use. Exposed bare wires can also cause it. When the bare wire touches a grounded wire, it creates an electrical ground fault. Another problem that can cause a tripped breaker is a clogged filter. Filters should be cleaned regularly to ensure there isn’t a blockage in the airflow. A clogged filter will cause your furnace to work twice as hard to replace the air that has been lost.

Turning On and Off

If you are suffering from a furnace that frequently turns on and off, then there are a few things that you can do. The easiest thing to do is to change the air filter. But if that doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to replace the wiring or the batteries. It would help if you also checked the blower motor. Sometimes this can cause the furnace to turn on and off. There are several reasons why this could happen, but the most common sense is that the motor is not operating correctly. Another possible issue is a faulty flame sensor. The flame sensor behind the burner tells the system that a flame is present. A dirty or clogged flame sensor can cause the furnace to shut off. This is a safety feature to prevent gas from building up. Another common reason for your furnace to turn on and off too often is short cycling. Short cycling occurs when your furnace switches on and off within a couple of minutes. It can be dangerous and can lead to expensive repairs.