My Furnace Doesn’t Work Correctly. Help!

The Good News: For Every Problem, There is a Solution (for HVAC, anyway).

A furnace that stops working is never fun. Nobody likes to be cold, and if you have small children or elderly family members living with you, low indoor temperatures can pose real risks to their health. Still, we’re grateful we don’t live in say, Minnesota, where a broken furnace can result in frozen-solid customers before we can get there to help!

Keeping your HVAC system in good working condition is a priority for all of us here at Air-Tro, 365 days a year. Let’s take a look at how a gas furnace should operate when it’s functioning correctly:

It’s cold in the house, so your thermostat signals for heat. If you have a newer HVAC system, you probably have electric ignition components. Once the thermostat sends the signal, the electric ignition is turned “on” and begins heating air. If you have an older HVAC system, you probably have gas ignition. In this case, upon the signal from the thermostat, your fuel valve opens in response, sending fuel to the burner. The pilot light engages, lighting the air and fuel mixture.  Once ignited, the heated air is blown over your heat exchanger. Heated air is then sent into the ductwork. Your blower fans then distribute the air throughout the house.

This is “the secret formula” for total indoor comfort. However, as you might imagine, things can go wrong.  Often, the following situations are to blame:

Problem: Ignition system doesn’t turn on.

Solution: Ignition or pilot light cleaning, maintenance, repair or upgrade needed.

Whether it’s a clogged pilot opening, or an ignition control module that needs to be reset, your HVAC technician will typically look here first to check for problems. Don’t panic! This can often mean a relatively simple repair.

Problem: Furnace cycles on and off too frequently.

Solution: Check out the thermostat itself or the air filters.

You’d be surprised how often just a wonky thermostat or a dirty air filter can create major heating issues throughout your home. Luckily, both these issues are common, and usually quite easily and inexpensively resolved.

Problem: Furnace doesn’t heat effectively, but heating bills are high.

Solution: Furnace maintenance!

HVAC systems require routine inspections, cleaning, and air filter changes to work properly. Call your local heating and cooling professional for this important yearly service.

A seasoned technician can spot signs of wear and tear, and potential hazards before they happen. Even swapping out a dirty filter for a clean one can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars later on from ensuing complications.  Just as you wouldn’t forgo oil changes in your car, don’t neglect having your HVAC system inspected once or twice a year to avoid more expensive problems.

A well-maintained furnace and overall HVAC system should be saving you money and conserving energy all year round. If your indoor comfort is less than perfect, don’t just ignore it. Call a specialist today.

 

Does your furnace need a tune up? Call Air-Tro. We’ve been keeping California comfortable since 1969. (626)357-3535.