How to Fix Heater Problems 5 Common Furnace Issues

If you live in a place that experiences some cold winters, your furnace plays an incredibly important role in keeping your space comfortable. Without it, your home would be very chilly and would be almost unlivable for most of the year. However, a crucial part of keeping your furnace in good shape is taking care of it. This includes getting proper furnace repair and maintenance done by trained professionals to keep everything in order. The better you take care of your furnace, the longer it will last and the better it will perform in most cases. But even with proper maintenance and care, some heater problems can still arise that you should be knowledgeable of and prepare for, to make them easier to deal with. This article is going to take a closer look at some of the most common heater problems you will experience, and how to deal with them.

Furnace is Making Strange Noises

A common issue that many people will experience in regards to their furnace is that the furnace makes strange noises. No furnace will be completely silent, but if yours is making noises that are out of the ordinary, it certainly isn’t something to ignore.

As far as the furnace noises to look out for, it could include banging, squealing, screeching, buzzing, grinding, or even scraping. Oftentimes, these sounds can indicate that a part is loose, a component has found its way out of place, or something is worn out and damaged.

Fixing it is often as easy as turning the system off and inspecting the furnace to see if there is anything out of place or looks damaged. If you haven’t worked with a furnace closely before, you will likely want to bring in a professional for this.

Furnace Isn’t Producing Enough Heat

Another issue you may run into is that your furnace simply isn’t providing enough heat. You may be able to tell that there is some heat in the home, but it may struggle to reach the desired temperature. Not only is this bad for the longevity of your system, but it also can lead to higher-than-normal bills.

The first thing to try in order to rectify this heater problem is to look at your filter. If the filter is dirty, clogged, and old, air will need to work harder to get through it, which can lead to your space not being as warm as it should be. Another potential cause of this issue is dirty burners, as they can stop your system from being able to generate heat.

If your burners end up being dirty, we recommend calling in a pro as there are a lot of risks if you attempt to handle the issue yourself. However, if your issue is related to a clogged filter, those are quite easy to clean and/or replace, so you should be able to handle that fix on your own.

Furnace is Short Cycling

If your furnace is short cycling, it could be another sign that your furnace is experiencing issues. This is when your furnace continually turns off and on, but without actually reaching the desired temperature that you had set on your thermostat.

This is annoying not only because your home will never get as warm as you want it, but the added wear and tear can ruin the longevity of your system, and lead to sky-high bills. As far as fixing this issue, there are a few different options to try.

A dirty filter can often be the culprit, as can a thermostat that is faulty, defective, or simply not working correctly. Things like a flue that is clogged or a dirty flame sensor should also be inspected as they can cause this issue, as well.

Furnace Won’t Blow Any Air At All

In addition to not producing enough hot air, your furnace may also suffer from the issue of not blowing any hot air at all. This Is obviously a major concern, and one that should be dealt with immediately. If you leave it too long, you may be without heat on a day that you need it most.

If your furnace is not blowing any air at all, hot or cold, the problem often stems from the blower being clogged with some debris. If you clear the blower of any debris and still no air is being blown, the issue could come from an ignition issue, a problem with the thermostat, the wiring being incorrect, or simply an issue with the motor. To identify the true reason (and get it fixed) a professional should be brought out.

Fix Heater Problems – Furnace is Releasing Concerning Scents

If you notice some strange scents coming from your furnace, that could be another cause for concern. These scents can range from burning dust, to a metallic smell, to rotten eggs, to mold, to sewage, or even chemicals. These scents are usually not normal, and should not be simply ignored or glossed over.

These scents can be caused by a variety of different things. For example, a metallic scent could indicate that something is overheating, while a scent of rotten eggs could mean that there is a gas leak present.

To fix this issue, you first need to identify the unique problem that is causing them. Once that has been figured out, you can begin finding a fix. Some of these scents could potentially be a health hazard for you and your family, so don’t ignore them and make sure to call in for an inspection as soon as possible if you think something is off.

In conclusion, we hope that this guide has been able to help you not only learn about some of the most common heater problems, but also how to fix and deal with them. While some can potentially be fixed on your own, a furnace can be a complicated thing to work on, so it is often best to bring in those with experience.

Photo by Danny Howe on Unsplash