Having a reliable heating system is an absolute must to get through the cold Indianapolis winter. Unfortunately, all heating systems are likely to experience issues from time to time. Many of these problems come on slowly over time, such as a weird noise or odd system smell. Getting timely help for troubleshooting furnace issues is key. When you first notice an issue, prompt repairs will greatly reduce your risk of experiencing a major system breakdown.
Understanding How Your Furnace Operates
Before we dive into common furnace problems you may experience, let’s start by taking a look at how furnaces work. Furnaces can run on electricity, natural gas, propane, or heating oil. Those that run on the latter three all burn fuel to create heat. When your thermostat signals to your furnace that it needs to produce heat, its electric igniter will send a spark to the burner.
The burner will ignite and start burning fuel to create heat. There’s a safety mechanism known as a flame sensor that’s responsible for detecting when there’s a flame on the burner. As long as there’s a steady flame, it will allow fuel to continue to be provided to the burner to create heat. Your heating system will continually run until your home gets up to your desired temperature setting.
If you rely on an electric furnace, it operates a little bit differently. Instead of having a burner, it has internal heating elements. When your thermostat signals to your furnace that it needs to generate heat, it will turn on these heating elements. As air passes through your furnace, the heat is transferred into it and then delivered to all the rooms of your home via your ducting.
There’s no doubt that furnaces have many internal components that must function correctly. A malfunction in just one component, like the flame sensor or the electric igniter, can cause your entire system to stop working correctly. Being able to accurately identify when there’s a problem and get prompt repair services is necessary to protect the integrity of your heating system.
Furnace Won’t Turn On or Produce Heat
One of the most common problems you may have is your furnace not working or producing heat. It’s best to start by checking your thermostat settings to ensure that it’s set to heat and your blower fan is set to auto and not on. If you notice that your thermostat screen is blank, it typically indicates a power supply issue.
You can try resetting your circuit breaker if it tripped or putting new batteries inside your thermostat. If your thermostat is working but your heating system won’t light, it typically indicates an ignition problem. If you have an older furnace, you may just need to relight your pilot light. If you have a newer system, you’ll need to call one of our professionals for furnace repair service to fix your electric igniter.
If you notice that your unit starts but immediately shuts off, it could signal a problem with the burner. If there’s not a steady supply of fuel going to the burner, it won’t be able to continue lighting. There could be a simple obstruction in the line that’s preventing that steady supply. In other cases, the flame sensor may be dirty or faulty, which stops the flow of fuel to the burner.
Uneven Heating or Weak Airflow
One of the more annoying problems you may experience with your furnace is weak airflow or uneven heating throughout your home. A lot of the time, this issue can be simply solved by putting in a new air filter. If your filter is dirty or your air vents are blocked, it can restrict the flow of warm air.
If there’s no air coming out of your vents, it could indicate a problem with the blower compartment. This could be a blower motor that’s burnt up or a broken fan belt. In some cases, the issue may lie with your ducting. If there are obstructions in your ducting or leaks that develop over time, they can divert your hot air away from your rooms.
Strange Noises, Odors, or Frequent Cycling
Sometimes you may notice that your heating system has a problem, but is still running. This could be that it’s producing a strange noise, odd odor, or it seems to be cycling frequently. Your furnace should only be cycling about one to two times per hour maximum. If it starts to short cycle, it typically indicates an internal problem with your system that’s severely decreasing its operating efficiency. This could range from a dirty air filter to a malfunctioning thermostat.
If your system starts to produce a strange noise, the particular tone of the noise can give you some insight into where the problem may be. For example, a rattling noise typically indicates a loose internal component within your system. A grinding noise usually means the blower motor is nearing the end of its lifespan. A squealing noise typically signifies a frayed blower fan belt, while a booming noise indicates incomplete combustion inside your system.
Other than when you first start your system up for the season, it shouldn’t be producing any smells. If it does, it indicates an internal problem with your unit. An electrical burning smell usually indicates a problem with the wiring or circuit boards. A rotten egg odor means you have a gas leak and need to immediately shut off your gas supply. A smoky smell may indicate soot buildup inside your furnace.
When Furnace Troubleshooting Requires Professional Help
It’s pretty natural for homeowners to opt for DIY solutions when they first experience an issue with their furnace. However, it’s important to keep in mind that some issues are best handled by professionals. When it comes to troubleshooting, stick to doing things like changing air filters and putting new batteries in your thermostat.
Anytime that there’s a safety risk, like a gas, electrical, or carbon monoxide issue, it requires professional intervention. Our technicians know how to safely handle these issues to protect your home and your heating system. It’s fairly common for HVAC manufacturers to require certified technicians to perform warranty repairs.
If you attempt to do DIY repairs on your furnace, they may deny your warranty claim and void the remaining warranty coverage you have. It’s necessary to get prompt repair services to ensure the repair work is covered under warranty. Fast repairs also minimize any further damage to your unit.
Keep Your Furnace Running Safely and Efficiently
When you first notice that your furnace is acting out of the norm, it’s best to start troubleshooting it. Issues like replacing the air filter, putting new batteries in your thermostat, or resetting your circuit breaker are fairly simple and easy to do. However, if the problem lies with something else in your unit, like a burned-out blower fan or a faulty flame sensor, you need to call for professional repair services. We recommend calling as soon as you know that something is wrong, as this will help prevent more damage from happening to your system.
Schedule furnace repair in Indianapolis, IN now by contacting Hope Plumbing, Heating and Cooling today for expert assistance.
