Your furnace is an integral part of your home. Without one, you wouldn’t be able to stay warm during the winter. Yet furnaces can have some problems that are more typical than others.
Let’s review these problems and about what they might cost to correct 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 few 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 on “heat,” “auto” and that your preferred temperature is higher 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 run 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 looks like a light switch, it’s easy to unintentionally turn it off. If it was off, it might take your furnace a few minutes to turn on.
- Is the air filter clean? A dusty air filter can cause a lot of problems for your furnace. Replace yours 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 certain sequence when it starts heating your home.
- Your thermostat notices the temperature has dropped and tells your furnace to turn on.
- The draft inducer fan turns on to bring 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 off 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 turn 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 eventually need to be taken out and changed.
- Bad limit switch. This safety feature will turn 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 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 restrict airflow and force your furnace to shut off 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 instances, this problem is linked to a wrong thermostat setting or a dirty air filter that’s limiting airflow. Follow the steps above to fix 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 working for a long time.
If this isn’t what's happening, make sure your thermostat is set correctly and working 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 losing air, forcing your furnace to run constantly 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
Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. Can Resolve Your Furnace Issues Quickly and Affordably
Furnace problems can be an expensive headache, but not when you work with Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C.. We’ve been providing the quality, affordable furnace repair the Rio Grande Valley homeowners have relied on since 1991. Contact us at 956-630-3522 to receive your free estimate today.