We are now moving into heating season, which means it is time to start keeping an eye out for potential problems with your heating system. If you are one of those homeowners with a furnace, as is the case with most people, read on for a list of some of the more common furnace problems. If you notice any of these issues affecting your furnace, call for repairs as soon as you can.
Booming Noises
Gas furnaces are not complete combustion systems. That means that they have combustion byproducts left over from burning natural gas. One of these byproducts is carbon, which can start to build up on the burner assembly over time. If the assembly isn’t cleaned often enough, the carbon buildup will start to prevent it from igniting properly. That booming sound that you may hear is the sound of the burner assembly finally igniting and burning through the excess gas.
Short Cycling
Short cycling is a behavior in which your furnace turns itself on and off every few minutes, repeating this over and over. This phenomenon can be caused by a number of things, though the most common culprit is a clogged air filter. This traps heat inside the furnace chamber, or plenum, causing the internal temperature to rise past established safety protocols. The limit switch, a furnace safety device, then shuts down the furnace to prevent it from overheating. When the furnace has cooled off sufficiently, it turns itself on again and over heats again, and the cycle continues. Short cycling is one of the leading causes of the early furnace breakdown, and should be dealt with as quickly as possible.
If you need furnace repair, call Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning today. We provide a full range of furnace services throughout Chicago, IL.