What Causes Furnace Failure

Your furnace giving up on you is the last thing you would want when it’s snowfall outside. If you have an old furnace, the probability of it developing problems is comparatively more than a new one. However, these problems can be avoided if you were to routinely check your furnace before the chilling season sets in with the help of heating repair services DC.

Malfunctioning Thermostat

The first problem is an easy one to fix. Surprisingly, malfunctioning thermostats are one of the primary reasons behind furnace failures. In some cases, homeowners tend to adjust the settings, which does not allow the furnace to turn on. It might also be that someone accidentally changed the setting without knowing that the thermostat controls the furnace.

However, in other cases, the thermostat might be faulty as well. In such cases, the thermostat will not be able to read the temperature of the room properly and will not inform the furnace to turn on. Since thermostats are electric devices, you never know when they can give up. And, if the thermostat is working perfectly, make sure the settings are right.

Switches & Breakers

The next thing you would want to check is the switches & breakers. You must ensure that your furnace is really malfunctioning. In most cases, people tend to ignore other factors that might be causing the problem and get down with experimenting with the furnace. This is not the right way to solve furnace-related problems. Furnaces will last for years before developing problems. In the majority of cases, the problem is related to other factors such as electrical devices that control the furnace.

With that said, you need to check if there are any blown fuses. If a fuse is blown, your furnace will malfunction and not turn on. Additionally, check the power switch as well, since every furnace has one. Believe it or not, sometimes people confuse the furnace switch with regular switches of the house and turn it off accidentally.

Blower Motor

A blower motor is made to distribute the heat inside the house. If it happens to be faulty, the hot air will not enter the house. Then again, even though a blower motor can last for years before giving up, you never know when it actually does since it is an electrical component.

If the blower motor is not working, check the fan motor. If the fan is not working, you need to get it fixed. However, if you notice that the fan is working but the blower isn’t, you simply need to get the blower repaired or replaced.

Dirty Filters

Every furnace comes with air filters installed. The air filters make sure that the air inside the house is free of contaminants. As a result, with time, the air filters are bound to become dirty. The accumulation of dust and debris causes the air filters to become clogged. This makes it hard for the furnace to breathe and circulate air.

In addition to that, dirty air filters expose you and your family members to toxic contaminants that can lead to serious chronic diseases. Furthermore, having pets in the house also contributes to air filters being clogged. Therefore, it is important to change your air filters regularly so that the furnace runs at its optimum and the air quality is top-notch.

Blocked Ducts Or Vents

Blocked ducts or vents are another reason that might be causing a furnace failure. In addition to checking the air filters at least once every week, you should check the ventilation system as well for any blockages. You need to ensure that the vents are cleaned and maintained so that the air quality improves and the furnace keeps running smoothly.

In addition to that, you need to check the air intake or any other passages that directly enter your home. It might be that there are some cracks or damage leading to the escape of hot air. Moreover, during the summer season when the furnace is not in use, the birds can take up residence and block the chimney. Therefore, before the winter season sets in, ensure that the exhaust flow is clear.

Final Word

Concluding, when it comes to diagnosing furnace problems, make sure that you follow the tips mentioned above. If the furnace still fails to work, you need to call furnace repair services DC who will perform a thorough inspection and determine the root cause of the problem.