It may not be winter anymore, but that doesn’t mean that we aren’t still experiencing cooler temperatures—quite often cold enough at night to still warrant the consistent use of a furnace. While we will be looking forward to warm weather soon, that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate a fully functioning furnace until that time comes.
Two of the most common service calls that we get are in regards to a furnace that either won’t start, or one that won’t stop running. Read on to discover what it is that could cause either of these furnace malfunctions, and be sure to call our experienced team when you find yourself in need of quality repairs!
Why Your Furnace Might Not Turn On
There are a few possible reasons for this type of furnace issue. Some are more serious while others are relatively minor. For example, it could be that your furnace doesn’t have a problem at all and rather there is an issue with the thermostat.
First, check the thermostat to make sure that it’s in heating mode. (It may have accidentally been put in cooling mode by someone else in the home.) Then check that there’s not a problem with the wires connecting the furnace to the system. We aren’t recommending that you do any electrical work—in fact, turn the circuit breaker to the system off before you check this, and contact a professional if you aren’t comfortable doing so.
A lack of power could also be the reason your furnace isn’t turning on. Perhaps you have a tripped circuit breaker, or it may be that there’s a power outage in your neighborhood. It could also be an issue of no pilot light—is yours lit?
Should you find that none of these issues are the cause of your furnace malfunction, you may have a more serious issue on your hands. If you had furnace maintenance performed before the start of heating season, you’ve likely eliminated the risk of most major furnace failures—but either way, it’s time to call in a professional.
The Opposite Problem: A Furnace That Won’t Shut Off
Again, your thermostat may be the culprit here—if it is malfunctioning then it may not be able to accurately signal to the furnace that your desired temperature has been met, and it’s time to shut off.
Other issues that can prevent a furnace from shutting off include the temperature being set too high, and a dirty air filter. Either of these could prevent your furnace from cycling off, since it’d be working to meet your desired temperature even when it simply cannot. Check your temperature setting and your air filter. If neither of these resolves the issue, give our pros a call!
Prevent Further Problems
As we mentioned above, furnace issues can be prevented with routine maintenance. Keeping up on these services helps you avoid the costliest of furnace repairs, and helps to ensure that your heating system will work as effectively and efficiently as possible for as long as possible.
Contact Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning today for expert furnace services throughout Chicagoland!