Your furnace is a key part of your home. Without one, you wouldn’t be able to keep warm during cold weather. Yet furnaces can have some issues that are more common than others.

Let’s review these issues and discuss what they might cost to correct so you know before you contact an HVAC technician. Some of the most common furnace repair problems involve:

  • 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 few reasons why your furnace won’t turn on, so make sure to check all of them.

  • Is your thermostat set correctly? Make sure it’s set to “heat,” “auto” and that your preferred temperature is higher than the room’s current temperature. If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure it has new 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 located on or close to it. Since this switch looks like a light switch, it’s easy to accidentally turn it off. If it was off, it may take your furnace a few minutes to start.
  • Is the air filter clean? A dusty air filter can create a lot of problems 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 starts heating your home.

  1. Your thermostat notices the temperature has fallen and tells your furnace to start running.
  2. The draft inducer fan activates to pull in fresh air for combustion.
  3. The gas valve unlocks for the burners, which are lit electronically.
  4. The flame sensor signals to your furnace the burners have been ignited.

If something is off during the sequence, your furnace will shut off as a preventive measure.

A couple of potential causes for this issue include:

  • Dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor. If the sensor doesn’t detect a flame, it will shut off your furnace to prevent natural gas from spilling into your home. The ignition process corrodes flame sensors as time passes. While cleaning during annual furnace maintenance can help, yours may ultimately need to be replaced.
  • Bad limit switch. This safety feature will turn off your furnace if it senses backdrafting. Backdrafting is dangerous, because carbon monoxide and natural gas can seep into your home. These switches can malfunction due to age, damage or dust accumulation.
  • Old thermostat. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, your furnace won’t be able to operate.
  • Dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can reduce airflow and cause your furnace to shut down to avoid overheating. Make sure to replace yours every 30 to 90 days, or whenever you can’t see light through it.

Estimated Repair Cost

These costs are estimates, so it’s important 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 instances, this problem is linked to a wrong thermostat setting or a dusty air filter that’s restricting airflow. Follow the steps above to fix the issue.

4. Furnace Won’t Turn Off

If it’s extremely cold outside or you like your home to be warm, your furnace may be working for a long time.

If this isn’t the case, ensure your thermostat is set correctly and working properly. If your fan setting is at “on,” the blower motor will be running 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 continuously to make up for the lost air.

Estimated Repair Cost

These costs are approximations, so it’s important 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 Resolve Your Furnace Problems Quickly and Affordably

Furnace problems can be a costly headache, but not when you work with Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve been delivering the quality, affordable furnace repair Warrenton homeowners have trusted since {year}. Contact us at 636-456-5041 to receive your free estimate today.