Furnace Problems You Need to Watch for This Fall

We’re getting pretty close to heating season, which means you’re probably going to start using your furnace on a daily basis in the next few weeks. That added strain makes it much more likely for your furnace to develop some sort of problem over the next few months. Preventive maintenance will help to keep your furnace in good condition during the heating season. However, it’s not a guarantee. There are still ways for your furnace to develop issues during the season, which is why you should keep an eye out for any signs that your system is in trouble. The following are just a few of the possible signs that your furnace might be in need of repairs.

Low Air Flow

If your furnace isn’t circulating as much air as it normally does, then it might be a problem with the air filter or air handler. The air filter is the part of the system responsible for protecting it from the dust and other debris commonly found in ductwork. If the filter is not changed every few months, it can become clogged and prevent much of the air in the ducts from making it into the furnace. No air flowing into the furnace means no air for the system to distribute throughout the home while it’s operating. If you think this is the cause of your furnace not circulating enough air, change the air filter or have a professional do it for you.

The air handler is the part of the furnace responsible for circulating air throughout the home during operation. It’s basically a large fan attached to a motor. If the air handler malfunctions, the furnace won’t be able to properly circulate air through the home while it’s working. You’ll need professional repairs in order to restore the part to proper operation.

Short Cycling

Short cycling is when your furnace turns off before completing a full heating cycle, often turning off just a couple minutes after turning on. This prevents the system from heating your home properly, but it also increases the amount of wear and tear the system suffers over time. The longer a furnace short cycles, the more prone to developing issues of various kinds it’s going to be. If you don’t have the issue dealt with soon, you may end up having to replace the system entirely. Make sure you call for professional repairs as soon as you notice your system short cycling.

Low Heat Output

If your furnace doesn’t seem to be heating as well as it normally does, you might have a partially clogged burner assembly. The burner assembly is the part of the system responsible for burning natural gas to generate heat for the system. Carbon particles build up on the assembly over time, eventually resulting in the jets not firing when they should. Professional cleaning should resolve this problem. But do it quickly, since if the assembly becomes fully clogged it will be unable to provide any heat at all.