Your furnace is an integral part of your home. Without one, you wouldn’t be able to keep warm during the winter. Yet furnaces can have some problems that are more typical than others.
Let’s go over these problems and discuss what they might cost to fix so you know before you call an HVAC technician. Some of the most common furnace repair problems include:
- Furnace won’t turn on
- Furnace doesn’t stay lit
- Furnace won’t blow hot air
- Furnace won’t turn off
1. The Furnace Will Not Turn On
There are a few reasons why your furnace won’t turn on, so make sure to go through all of them.
- Is your thermostat set right? Make sure it’s on “heat,” “auto” and that your desired temperature is greater than the room’s current temperature. If you use a programmable thermostat, make sure it has new batteries.
- Is the circuit breaker tripped? Your furnace can’t operate if it doesn’t have electricity. Reset the switch if it’s facing the outside of the electrical panel.
- Is the furnace switch off? Your furnace has a power switch located on or close to it. Because this switch looks like a light switch, it’s easy to unintentionally turn it off. If it was off, it may take your furnace a few minutes to turn on.
- Is the air filter clean? A dusty air filter can cause a lot of problems for your furnace. Replace yours if you can’t see light through it.
Estimated Repair Cost
This issue can be complicated, so the estimated cost to repair it varies according to what’s wrong.
2. The Furnace Won’t Stay Lit
Your furnace follows a certain sequence when it starts heating your home.
- Your thermostat notices the temperature has dropped and tells your furnace to start running.
- The draft inducer fan turns on to bring in fresh air for combustion.
- The gas valve unlocks for the burners, which are lit electronically.
- The flame sensor signals to your furnace the burners have been ignited.
If something is off during the sequence, your furnace will shut off as a safety precaution.
A couple of potential causes for this problem include:
- Dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor. If the sensor doesn’t sense a flame, it will turn off your furnace to prevent natural gas from spilling into your home. The ignition process corrodes flame sensors as time passes. While cleaning during annual furnace maintenance can help, yours may eventually need to be taken out and changed.
- Bad limit switch. This safety feature will shut off your furnace if it senses backdrafting. Backdrafting is hazardous, since carbon monoxide and natural gas can leak into your home. These switches can fail due to age, damage or dust accumulation.
- Old thermostat. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, your furnace won’t be able to operate.
- Dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can reduce airflow and force your furnace to shut off to avoid overheating. Make sure to change yours every 30 to 90 days, or whenever you can’t see light through it.
Estimated Repair Cost
These costs are estimates, so it’s necessary to note yours may vary based on your furnace’s brand and model.
- Flame sensor: $350–$500
- Limit switch: $150–$300
- Thermostat: $150–$350
- Furnace filter: $10-$30
3. The Furnace Blows Cold Air
In many cases, this problem is tied to an incorrect thermostat setting or a dusty air filter that’s limiting airflow. Follow the steps above to fix the issue.
4. My Furnace Isn’t Shutting Off
If it’s very cold outside or you like your home to be toasty, your furnace may be working for a long time.
If this isn’t the case, make sure your thermostat is set correctly and working properly. If your fan setting is at “on,” the blower motor will be going even when the furnace isn’t, so it’ll seem like your furnace is running all the time.
Otherwise, there might be a problem with the blower motor or your ductwork may be losing air, making your furnace run constantly to make up for the lost air.
Estimated Repair Cost
These costs are approximations, so it’s necessary to note yours may vary based on your furnace’s brand and model.
- New blower motor: $250–$800
- Seal ductwork: varies based on square footage
Central Heating & Plumbing Can Get to the Bottom of Your Furnace Problems as Soon as Possible
Furnace problems can be an expensive headache, but not when you work with Central Heating & Plumbing. We’ve been providing the quality, affordable furnace repair New Castle homeowners have relied on since {year}. Call us at 724-401-1843 to request your free estimate today.