We’re counting down the days until the warmer weather arrives and stays. That still may not happen until June, so we need our home heating systems to keep working.
If you’ve got a furnace that is shutting off earlier than you expect, you might feel tempted to ignore it because of how late it is in the season. But any furnace problem needs attention or else it may worsen and trap you without any heating at all.
Below, we’ll look at some of the reasons you’ve got a furnace that just doesn’t want to put in a full heating cycle to warn your home the way you need.
Clogged Air Filter
The air filter in your furnace prevents dirt, dust, and debris from entering the cabinet and damaging components. When the filter becomes clogged, it reduces airflow, and this can cause several problems, such as the furnace overheating and shutting down early. You need to replace the air filter regularly (usually every one to three months) to prevent this. If your furnace is shutting off early, check to see if the filter needs immediate replacement.
Thermostat Issues
A faulty or misset thermostat can also cause a furnace to shut off early. If the thermostat is incorrectly reading the indoor temperatures (a miscalibration), it may mistakenly register that the furnace has already reached its heating goal and shut it down. Or the problem could be as simple as a mistake in programming the thermostat. If the thermostat is malfunctioning, you’ll need professionals to repair or replace it.
Electronic ignition problems
Modern furnaces don’t have standing pilot lights to ignite the burners, instead using a type of electronic ignition system. These systems often fail earlier than the furnace and need to be replaced. If your furnace has a failing ignition system, it will cause a safety mechanism to shut the furnace off early. Rely on professionals to replace the ignition system.
Overheating
The furnace has a device called a limit switch that registers the temperature inside the furnace and turns the blower fan on and off. If the furnace overheats for whatever reason, the limit switch will force the furnace to shut down early. Several issues can cause a furnace to overheat, such as a clogged filter, a broken blower fan, or blocked vents. You can change the filter, but for the other problems, you’ll need HVAC professionals.
Electrical Issues
Even gas furnaces use multiple electrical components to operate. Trouble with the circuit board and overheating motors can cause a furnace to shutdown early. If your furnace is regularly tripping its circuit in the electrical panel, stop running it and call for assistance.
Except for simple tasks like changing the air filter or properly programming the thermostat, please don’t attempt to fix the furnace yourself. Only trust furnace repair in Batavia, NY to licensed professionals. This will not only ensure the work is done correctly, but also that the furnace continues to run safely.
Trust your furnace repairs needs to our team of experts! Triple-O Heating, Cooling, Electrical & Plumbing Is Your One-stop Shop for HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical.