Troubleshooting Your Furnace

It’s probably the last thing you want to happen but when your home furnace is on the fritz, you need to do something about it and fast. Where do you begin? Who do you talk to?

As we mentioned before, the average home furnace lasts about 15 years. While most operate well during that time, there may be an issue here or there to deal with – especially during the cold winters in the Twin Cities.

Before anything, you need to know what kind of furnace you have. There are pretty complex differences between a conventional furnace and one that is classified as a high-efficiency condensing furnace (operates 90 percent AFUE). Knowing this basic information will help HVAC professionals understand right off the bat what they’re dealing with and how to investigate the issue.

Here are some of the most common home furnace issues:

Scenario 1: There’s no heat being produced

The thermostat might not be working
Pilot light is out (in cases without electric ignition)
Circuit breaker or fuse controlling the furnace might be tripped

Scenario 2: Frequently switching on and off

Dirty air filter
Issue with blower motor
Thermostat issue

Scenario 3: There’s heat…but not enough being produced

Gas burners may need an adjustment
Something blocking air flow
Dirty air filter

Scenario 4: It’s really noisy

Troubleshooting this issue may depend on the type of sound you hear
Low rumble may come from dirty burners – if the noise happens while they’re on
High pitched noise may occur when certain components need to be oiled

When in doubt, the best bet is to leave the troubleshooting to trusted HVAC professionals. To learn more about how Minneapolis Saint Paul Plumbing, Heating & Air can help, visit us online.