Your furnace is an integral part of your home. Without one, you wouldn’t be able to stay warm during cold weather. Yet furnaces can have some problems that are more typical than others.
Let’s review these problems and discuss what they might cost to fix so you know before you contact an HVAC technician. Some of the most common furnace repair issues 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 higher than the room’s current temperature. If you have 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. Because this switch resembles a light switch, it’s easy to unintentionally 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 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 depends on what’s wrong.
2. Furnace Won’t Stay Lit
Your furnace follows a certain sequence when it begins heating your home.
- Your thermostat notices the temperature has dropped and tells your furnace to start running.
- The draft inducer fan activates to pull in fresh air for combustion.
- The gas valve opens for the burners, which are lit electronically.
- The flame sensor signals to your furnace the burners have been ignited.
If something is wrong during the sequence, your furnace will shut off as a safety precaution.
A couple of potential causes for this issue include:
- Dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor. If the sensor doesn’t sense a flame, it will shut off your furnace to prevent natural gas from getting into your home. The ignition process corrodes flame sensors over time. While cleaning during annual furnace maintenance can help, yours may ultimately need to be replaced.
- Bad limit switch. This safety feature will shut off your furnace if it senses backdrafting. Backdrafting is hazardous, because carbon monoxide and natural gas can leak into your home. These switches can fail due to age, damage or dust accumulation.
- Old thermostat. If your thermostat isn’t working correctly, your furnace won’t be able to operate.
- Dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can limit airflow and force 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 necessary to note yours may vary 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 dirty air filter that’s restricting airflow. Follow the steps above to fix the issue.
4. Furnace Won’t Turn Off
If it’s very chilly outside or you like your home to be toasty, your furnace may be working for a long time.
If this isn’t what’s happening, 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 sound like your furnace is on all the time.
Alternatively, there might be an issue with the blower motor or your ductwork may be losing 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 be different based on your furnace’s brand and model.
- New blower motor: $250–$800
- Seal ductwork: varies based on house size
HCE Systems Can Resolve Your Furnace Problems Quickly and Affordably
Furnace problems can be an expensive headache, but not when you work with HCE Systems. We’ve been providing the quality, affordable furnace repair Norton homeowners have relied on since {year}. Call us at 276-302-0076 to receive your free estimate today.