There are many common types of furnace repair. Heating systems work hard, and wear and tear are inevitable. Every homeowner who has a furnace must eventually deal with a heater repair. Knowing the most common repairs can help you realize when to call an HVAC company for prompt service.
These are the most common types of furnace repair we provide at Trilogy AC:
Clogged Filter
No matter what type of furnace you have or filter installed, it has to be replaced. Filters should be changed at least every three months. This is the simplest type of furnace repair, and you don’t need a technician for it.
We recommend checking the filter every month if it becomes dirty or clogged. A blocked filter can otherwise reduce air intake and the furnace’s efficiency. It may also potentially damage the unit.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
A faulty thermostat is another issue that doesn’t involve the inner workings of your furnace. Call a heater repair contractor if the fan is constantly running. The thermostat battery can then run down, causing inefficiencies with your furnace.
To check if the thermostat is the problem, set the fan to “Auto”. If it runs constantly on all settings, call for help. A malfunction can lead to an incorrect temperature reading, causing the heating unit to produce heat when not necessary, and stop providing heat when a room is cold. An electrical issue is another possible cause, which means the furnace won’t get the right messages.
A technician can check whether the thermostat has a hardware, software, or electrical issue and then fix or replace the unit.
Dirty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor rod is attached to the high-limit switch. Once the furnace ignites, the sensor detects the presence of a flame. If no flame is detected, the switch is triggered to turn the furnace off. A malfunctioning flame sensor prevents the heating unit from running.
The issue is often caused by a buildup of soot, debris, and other materials. Cleaning the flame sensor can resolve the issue. While this is often a simple process, it’s best to let an HVAC technician properly clean the sensor and determine whether to replace it.
Pilot Light Issue
If your furnace has a pilot light, it provides the flame to ignite the gas and start the combustion process. The pilot light is usually near the bottom at the front of the heating unit. Depending on the system, the flame is visible by opening a panel or looking through a small window. If it’s yellow or orange instead of blue, your furnace may be releasing carbon monoxide, which is one reason it’s important to have prompt heating repair during the cold season.
Ignition Problem
Ignition problems are common with old and new furnaces. Aside from a faulty pilot light, furnaces with electronic ignition systems can develop issues. The starting mechanism allows the unit to start a heating cycle. If it fails, your furnace won’t turn on. A professional repair is needed if it’s not starting when you expect it to.
Damaged Blower Belt
A furnace’s blower mechanism consists of many components. The blower fan pushes heated air into your home. It has a belt that allows it to run properly. If something goes wrong with this belt, you may hear a high-pitched squealing sound. This is a good reason to call for help.
An HVAC technician inspects the belt when they arrive. They can often make adjustments if it slips out of place. However, if the belt is worn or broken, it must be replaced. This simple repair improves your furnace’s performance and efficiency.
Damaged Blower Capacitor
The capacitor is an electrical component that releases energy to power the blower mechanism. A damaged capacitor can cause a power surge and short out the circuit board. One sign of a problem is when the furnace starts up but quickly stops. By inspecting the suspected faulty component, a technician can determine if the capacitor is damaged and must be replaced.
Blower Bearing Replacement
The blower mechanism has ball bearings that can be damaged by incorrect installation or wear and tear. A scraping sound from your furnace is a sign of a faulty blower bearing. Continuing to operate your heater will lead to additional damage. Fortunately, a furnace repair specialist can quickly replace the bearings and restore normal heating performance.
Faulty Limit Switch
The limit switch controls when the blower fan turns on and off. It can sense when your furnace gets too hot, shutting it down at high temperatures to prevent major damage or a fire. A malfunctioning limit switch can cause your furnace to blow continuously. It will be on when it shouldn’t be.
Your furnace running may not seem like an urgent problem. However, it can lead to dangerous situations, as a broken limit switch won’t turn the system off if it’s overheating. A professional can repair or replace the switch to restore safety and get your furnace to run normally again.
Gas Leak Repair
Aside from a mild burning smell the first time you run the furnace for the season (which normally disperses within an hour), it should release no odors. A gas, rotten egg, or metallic smell should prompt you to take immediate action. If you can, turn off the gas valve and open all your windows; then evacuate your home. Call a repair company to address the problem, whether it requires fixing the gas pipe connection, a valve, or other heating components.
Heat Exchanger Replacement
A coil of heated tubes inside your furnace heats the air pushed through them. This is the heat exchanger. If it’s cracked or otherwise damaged, it must be replaced. While this is one of the more costly heater repairs, it’s still not as expensive as replacing your furnace. A sign of a damaged heat exchanger is if you feel air from the vents, but it’s not warm enough or warm at all.
Call Trilogy AC for Furnace Repair
At Trilogy AC, our licensed technicians can fix any brand or model of furnace. They are extremely thorough and can explain any problem to help you make an informed decision. We use only the highest quality parts and charge competitive rates for heating repairs and labor. To request assistance from a leading heating services company in Houston, TX, call (832) 802-6386 today.
