Most homeowners figure their furnace will always be there in the background, doing its job without fail. However, as furnaces age, they become more at risk of breaking down. Furnaces need regular maintenance to remain functional. Maintenance also helps furnaces operate at peak performance and energy efficiency. Although your furnace might be out of sight and out of mind, it’s important to schedule service checks at least once a year to avoid problems. Here are five of the most common furnace problems and how you can avoid them.
1. Old, Dirty Furnace Filters
This is number one because it is not only the most common but also the easiest to resolve. Furnace filters are given a MERV rating for their efficiency. Although all furnace filters become clogged eventually, the higher the rating, the less frequently you need to change the filter. However, filters also get clogged faster in high-demand months when you have your heat running day in and day out. A good rule of thumb is to replace your filter monthly in peak seasons in summer and winter and then at least based on the manufacturer’s recommendations the rest of the year.
2. Basic Wear and Tear
Because furnaces have so many different components and working parts, it is only natural that over time they will suffer from wear and tear. Unfortunately, even one small part that seems insignificant can create a domino effect of troubles when it wears down. This can result in complete system failure. Wear and tear can cause all kinds of furnace issues including airflow problems, efficiency trouble and eventually complete breakdowns. You might experience furnace fan noise problems or common gas furnace problems such as furnace gas valve problems. The best way to avoid wear and tear is to schedule regular maintenance checks, preferably twice a year in the spring and fall.
Is it about that time you schedule a maintenance check on your furnace? Let our team at Lambton ClimateCare get the job done right. Contact us today.
3. Pilot/Ignition Control Issues
Common gas furnace problems are often related to pilot or ignition control malfunctions. Your furnace ignition control provides power to your furnace. It has a standing pilot light and is electronically controlled. Failure for this part is common and when this happens, your home heating system can’t operate. As a result, you can experience furnace blower problems. There are a few things you can do to help avoid control issues including changing your filters, checking for clogs in your ductwork and scheduling regular maintenance calls to check for ignition cracks or breaks.
4. Broken Thermostat
As you probably know your thermostat controls the heat level in your home. It both reads the temperature of the room to adjust the comfort level and allows you to set the temperature manually. Furnace problems in winter can be due to a broken thermostat. When it malfunctions you can find heat is not being adjusted properly, whether it is too much heat or not enough. To avoid this issue, first see if your thermostat is hard-wired, or battery powered. If your thermostat uses batteries, be sure to switch them up every October like you do for your fire and carbon monoxide alarms. You should also make sure you are using AA lithium batteries as they last longer. You can also check to see if the circuit breaker is tripped, or a fuse was blown. Again, with any furnace issue, regular maintenance checks will help ensure everything is connected properly and there aren’t any issues with your transformer.
5. No Maintenance
A general lack of maintenance for your furnace can lead to all the above issues and more. It just takes a fall and spring check each year to keep your furnace operating at optimum performance.
Are you experiencing issues with your furnace and looking for a professional helping hand? Here at Lambton ClimateCare, that is what we do! Contact our team today.
