Your furnace is a key part of your home. Without one, you wouldn’t be able to stay warm during the winter. Yet furnaces can have some issues that are more typical than others.
Let’s go over these issues and discuss what they might cost to fix so you know before you contact an HVAC technician. Some of the most common furnace repair problems include:
- Furnace won’t turn on
- Furnace doesn’t stay lit
- Furnace won’t blow hot air
- Furnace won’t turn off
1. Furnace Won’t Turn On
There are a couple of reasons why your furnace won’t turn on, so make sure to go through all of them.
- Is your thermostat set right? Make sure it’s set to “heat,” “auto” and that your desired temperature is greater than the room’s current temperature. If you use a programmable thermostat, make sure it has fresh batteries.
- Is the circuit breaker tripped? Your furnace can’t operate if it doesn’t have power. Reset the switch if it’s facing the outside of the electrical panel.
- Is the furnace switch off? Your furnace has a power switch found on or close to it. Since this switch looks like a light switch, it’s easy to unintentionally turn it off. If it was off, it may take your furnace a few minutes to turn on.
- Is the air filter clean? A dirty air filter can create a lot of issues for your furnace. Get a new one if you can’t see light through it.
Estimated Repair Cost
This problem can be complicated, so the estimated cost to repair it varies according to what’s wrong.
2. Furnace Won’t Stay Lit
Your furnace follows a specific sequence when it begins heating your home.
- Your thermostat notices the temperature has fallen and tells your furnace to turn on.
- The draft inducer fan activates to pull in fresh air for combustion.
- The gas valve unlocks for the burners, which are ignited electronically.
- The flame sensor tells your furnace the burners have been lit.
If something is off during the sequence, your furnace will shut down as a preventive measure.
A couple of possible causes for this issue include:
- Dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor. If the sensor doesn’t sense a flame, it will turn off your furnace to prevent natural gas from spilling into your home. The ignition process corrodes flame sensors over time. While cleaning during annual furnace maintenance can help, yours may eventually need to be replaced.
- Bad limit switch. This safety feature will shut off your furnace if it senses backdrafting. Backdrafting is dangerous, since carbon monoxide and natural gas can leak into your home. These switches can malfunction due to age, damage or dust buildup.
- Old thermostat. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, your furnace won’t be able to run.
- Dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can reduce airflow and force your furnace to shut down to prevent overheating. Make sure to change yours every 30 to 90 days, or anytime you can’t see light through it.
Estimated Repair Cost
These costs are estimates, so it’s necessary to note yours may fluctuate based on your furnace’s brand and model.
- Flame sensor: $350–$500
- Limit switch: $150–$300
- Thermostat: $150–$350
- Furnace filter: $10-$30
3. Furnace Won’t Blow Hot Air
In many cases, this problem is tied to an incorrect thermostat setting or a dusty air filter that’s limiting airflow. Follow the steps above to resolve the issue.
4. Furnace Won’t Turn Off
If it’s very cold outside or you like your home to be toasty, your furnace may be running for a long time.
If this isn’t the case, ensure your thermostat is set correctly and running properly. If your fan setting is at “on,” the blower motor will be going even when the furnace isn’t, so it’ll seem like your furnace is on all the time.
Otherwise, there might be an issue with the blower motor or your ductwork may be leaking air, forcing your furnace to run constantly to make up for the air loss.
Estimated Repair Cost
These costs are estimates, so it’s necessary to note yours may vary based on your furnace’s brand and model.
- New blower motor: $250–$800
- Seal ductwork: varies based on square footage
Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning Can Solve Your Furnace Problems Quickly and Affordably
Furnace problems can be a costly headache, but not when you call Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve been delivering the quality, affordable furnace repair Warrenton homeowners have relied on since {year}. Contact us at 636-456-5041 to request your free estimate today.