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9 Furnace Problems Homeowners Experience

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Originally Posted On: 9 Furnace Problems Homeowners Experience | Bulk Quotes Now

 

When the weather outside is frightful, at least you can stay cozy and warm inside. Well, that’s the hope, anyway.

But what do you do when you turn on the furnace and all you get is cold air and strange noises? Keep reading and you’ll find out.

We’ve written you the following guide to help you troubleshoot your furnace problems. Chances are, the particular problem you’re experiencing is a common one. So, read on and you’ll find it listed below, along with an explanation of what to do about it.

Most importantly, the first three points are general tips that will solve or prevent most furnace issues. Do these first, then continue troubleshooting if necessary.

  1. The Air Filter Is Full

Proper maintenance prevents breakdowns and ultimately determines how long your furnace should last. And the most basic and essential maintenance step is replacing your air filter regularly.

You see, as you run the furnace, the air filter fills up with dust and other particles. Eventually, it will block the airflow and cause numerous furnace issues, like those listed below.

So, before you continue troubleshooting, change your air filter and see if that helps. Do this every 1-3 months.

2. You’re Out of Fuel

If you use an oil furnace, it’s possible that you’re simply out of fuel. Check your fuel level and top it off before troubleshooting.

3. The Thermostat Is Set Wrong

Check the thermostat to make sure that it’s set properly. In fact, test all the features of your thermostat to make sure they’re all working correctly. If they aren’t, try replacing your thermostat and then test it again.

Secondly, find out if the thermostat is running a program that keeps automatically overriding your manually set commands. Similarly, other members of your household might be overriding your commands as well. Make sure no one else in your house touches the thermostat so you can find out if it’s working.

4. The Fuel Burns Up Very Fast

If you find that your fuel is empty when you check, keep checking the levels often. Does it seem like the fuel burns up more quickly than it should? Most likely, then, there’s a blockage in the system or some component is malfunctioning.

You might be able to fix this by adjusting the pressure of the oil pump. Lubricating the motor could help, too. If these steps don’t work, have the furnace checked by a professional.

5. Heating Problems

A blockage or a malfunctioning fan could be causing your heating issues. Turn the system off and access the fan. Clear away any debris and apply lubrication.

Additionally, make sure your pilot light is lit. If it isn’t, follow these steps to relight it. Finally, call a professional if the problem persists.

6. Random Shutdowns

Random shutdowns should be solved by the first three steps in this guide. If the shutdowns continue, it’s most likely an electrical problem. Turn the system off and call for emergency furnace repair.

7. The Furnace Isn’t Turning On

The same issues that cause random shutdowns can also prevent the system from turning on at all. Also, check if the pilot light is lit and relight it if necessary. For gas furnaces, make sure the gas valve is open.

Call a professional if these steps don’t help.

8. Weird Noises

If your furnace makes any type of loud or strange noise, look into it right away. Find the relevant noise on this list for specific instructions. Otherwise, contact a furnace technician.

Rattling

Rattling usually indicates loose components. Tighten the access panel and any other parts that you know how to tighten. Or, call it in.

Knocking

Sometimes, air bubbles can get trapped deep within your heating system. Solve this with a common technique known as “bleeding the furnace.”

Whistling

If you already changed your air filter, whistling is almost certainly from an air leak or a blockage. Have a professional investigate and fix the problem.

Screeching

Usually, screeching is caused by a fan belt or other component that is worn out. Lubrication might solve this. Otherwise, call a furnace technician.

Grinding

If you hear a grinding noise when the furnace powers on, shut it down immediately and call for emergency furnace repair. There are probably two metal components grinding against each other. This causes heat and sparks which can ignite and explode the whole system, along with your house.

Rumbling

If you hear a rumbling noise, it’s probably coming from a faltering pilot light. Try the pilot light reset button first and then clean the igniter if your furnace manual tells you how. Otherwise, leave it to the professionals.

9. Smoke Coming From the Furnace

Any smoke made by your furnace should leave your building through the exhaust port. If you instead see smoke around the system or coming from your vents, shut the furnace off and call for emergency repairs.

There are a number of causes for this issue. But none of them have a DIY solution, so just call it in.

Troubleshoot Your Furnace Problems With This Guide

We hope this guide has given you the info you need to solve your furnace problems. If so, there are two things you should do.

First, keep this guide bookmarked in case you need to troubleshoot your furnace in the future. And please share this guide with other homeowners so that they can benefit as well.

Next, learn when to replace your sump pump or how to choose the right tile flooring for your bedroom. Find these and other great tips in our Home Improvement archives.

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