Heating And Air Conditioning Repair: Common Furnace Problems And Their Causes | Allen, TX
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There is nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night because you are cold. Not because you do not have warm covers, but because your furnace is working poorly. A furnace is a considerable investment in any home, and pays off during winter. To keep your furnace working optimally, you will need to organize regular professional tune-ups from a heating and air conditioning repair expert in Allen TX.
However, even though you take the best care of your furnace, it is prone to develop problems down the line. Below is a list of furnace problems you are likely to encounter and what you should do when they happen.
The furnace will not start.
If you set the thermostat above the room temperature and nothing happens, it could mean that the furnace switch is off. This is relatively simple to solve, just switch it on. The switch is located near the furnace and will often look like a typical switch. However, it would be best if you were patient as there will be a short delay before it starts.
- Circuit breaker
Another reason the furnace will not start is if the circuit breaker is off. It is usual for the circuit breaker to trip once, but if it happens often, it could mean there is a wiring short in the furnace. If you think there is a short, you should call a repair expert from Allen, TX.
- Dirty air filter
A dirty air filter could be the reason why the furnace is not working. The new generation furnaces are built in such a way that they shut down if the air filter does not allow adequate air. If this is the case, you will need a heating and air conditioning repair to help change the air filter. They will diagnose if the furnace has any other underlying problems. They also know the right filter for your furnace model.
The furnace is blowing cold air.
The furnace will not come on if it is not getting power. To check if the furnace is getting power, you should switch the fan from auto to on. If the fan turns on, it means that the furnace is getting power. The problem could emanate from the gas control valve. If the gas control valve is not opening, it could mean that it needs to be replaced, and only an experienced heating and air conditioning repair expert can handle that task.
- Leaking ducts
Ducts carrying the hot air from the furnace to the entire home could be worn out and bring outside air in the ducts. The pipes are usually placed on the outside of the house, and they are often exposed to extreme temperature changes throughout the year. These can cause a weak spot in your ducts, causing them to leak. When there is a leak, cold air enters the ducts or the hot air in the ducts escape into the atmosphere, meaning you get cold air from the ducts in the house. If you suspect a leak in the ducts, duct tape will not work. You will need a trained heating and air conditioning repair expert to fix the leaks or replace the ducts if they deem it necessary.
- Faulty flame sensor
A faulty flame sensor could be the reason cold air is blowing from the ducts. The furnace flame sensor might be malfunctioning because it is covered in grime, causing the burner to shut off. The remedy for a faulty flame sensor is to have it regularly maintained by a professional heating and air conditioning repair expert. If the sensor requires to be changed, they are better placed to do it.
- Faulty ignition or pilot light
It is possible that the ignition system is the reason your furnace is not blowing hot air. If the ignition system is not working, it could mean that the furnace is not burning the fuel. Try and relight the pilot light and wait to see if the flame goes out. If it does go out, it indicates the system has a problem, and you should call in an experienced heating and air conditioning repair technician.
Loud noises coming from the furnace
It is usual for the furnace to make little pops and hums while it runs. However, if the furnace is noisier than usual, you should call a trained and certified heating and air conditioning repair expert. Below are a few noises you should listen out for;
- Scraping noises
If the furnace starts making scraping noises, it means that something is loose and needs to be fixed immediately. The problem is probably with the blower wheel. If the blower wheel is broken, the furnace will not efficiently heat your home. Before the problem gets out of hand, call in a heating and air conditioning repair expert to have it fixed.
- A loud bang when the furnace is running
If your ducts are made from metal, they will expand and contract when the furnace is switched on and off. You are likely to heat popping noises as they expand. You are likely to hear a loud band when dirt collects on the furnace burner, causing a delay in the ignition. This could lead to a gas build-up that will produce a loud banging sound once the burner ignites. The small explosions of the gas can cause damage to the heat exchanger, which can be quite expensive to repair. Do not wait until the problem is beyond repair to call a heating and air conditioning repair expert.
- Squealing noises
Sharp squeals or whines coming from the furnace could be coming from a failing fan mover or from a deteriorating blower belt that has become loose or is slipping. If such issues are left without remedy, they could require expensive repairs later.
Call in the Experts!
Have you spotted any of the above symptoms from your furnace? It might be time to call in the experts from K&S Heating and Air in Allen, TX. The experts training and experience allows them to handle any problem with your furnace.