When the fall and winter seasons are here, homeowners throughout the greater Atlanta area call on furnace repair technicians in order to solve a problem with their heating system. The heating technicians at Estes Services have seen almost every type of problem over the course of our 70+ years in business. That's why, in this article, we will share the most common furnace problems so that you know how to identify and prevent them.
Let's begin with an overview of the most common furnace problems:
What are the Most Common Furnace Problems?
You may ask, what are the most common furnace problems? The most common problems include the following:
Dirty or clogged filters
Malfunctioning thermostat
Ignition Control Issue
Faulty blower
Malfunctioning heat exchanger
Strange noises
Gas leaks or strange odors
The furnace stopped working altogether
Improper maintenance
In the below sections, we will focus on each one of these issues in more detail.
Dirty or Clogged Air Filters
First and foremost, dirty or clogged air filters are one of the most common furnace problems that homeowners can experience. When your air filters are dirty or clogged, you put unnecessary strain on your heating system by inhibiting the airflow and making it more difficult to draw air in.
While it is a simple problem that can be fixed easily, do not let dirty filters fester. As it can lead to poor indoor air quality, higher heating bills, decreased indoor comfort, and damage to the system's mechanical components.
Replacing your furnace filters at the proper intervals is an important part of proper heating maintenance. Joining a Maintenance Membership Plan can ensure that you keep on track and avoid such effects of dirty filters.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
Another common problem could actually be related to your thermostat and not the furnace itself. That is, if you have a malfunctioning thermostat, you could experience performance issues with your furnace. For instance, a malfunctioning thermostat could be reading the wrong temperature and thereby producing too much heat or no heat at all.
With a malfunctioning thermostat, your furnace could also be short-cycling or improperly turning on/off. It's important to have your thermostat inspected by a professional. You may need a full thermostat replacement or thermostat battery replacement.
Faulty Ignition Control (Pilot Light)
If your furnace clicks on but doesn't fire up, you may have a faulty ignition sensor or pilot light. The ignition control produces a very small flame that burns natural gas to generate heat. With a faulty ignition sensor, your furnace won't have heat.
Ignition control repairs should be conducted by a licensed and trained technician.
Faulty Blower Motor
A faulty blower motor is another common furnace repair issue. Your blower motor could be dirty or loose power, which causes your furnace not to work.
Malfunctioning Heat Exchanger
A cracked or malfunctioning heat exchanger can be another culprit. The heat exchanger serves as the largest component of your furnace and transfers heat from one location to another. Specifically, a heat exchanger contains the flue gas, so any cracks or other damage to it can pose a health and safety risk to your home, as unsafe levels of combustion gases like carbon monoxide (CO) could be present.
Strange Noises
Certain strange noises, such as squealing, screeching, rattling, grinding, or whistling, are not normal and can be indicative of a problem with your furnace.
Gas Leaks or Strange Odors
Any strange odors should be a reason for concern, and you should have a licensed and trained professional perform a thorough inspection to identify the source of the odor.
Furnace Stopped Working Altogether
A more serious problem would be if your furnace has stopped working altogether. This situation requires emergency furnace repair service.
Improper Maintenance
Has your furnace been following a normal maintenance routine? Or, are you unaware of its maintenance history and overall performance and health? Improper maintenance of any kind is not recommended, as it can lead to larger problems down the road.
At Estes Services, we offer popular Maintenance Membership Plans to ensure that your furnace keeps up with proper maintenance. In fact, both our HVAC and Whole-Home plans include comprehensive heating and cooling checks.
Furnace Repair Services in Atlanta, GA
If you are in need of furnace repair, we offer furnace repair services in the greater Atlanta area. Since 1949, homeowners have chosen us for comfort and efficiency with top-quality service. In, we are proud of the expertise that are family business offers, including:
NATE-certified technicians
Locally owned and operated family business
Award-winning team with superior customer service
75+ years of experience giving the best advice
Whatever furnace problem you are encountering, we can help.
Schedule Furnace Repair Service Today
Since 1949, our family-owned business has been proudly providing furnace repair services to the greater Atlanta area, and we strive to treat our customers like family. We hope you found this guide helpful.
If you have any questions regarding your furnace, schedule service with us online today, or give us a call. One of our friendly team members will be glad to assist. We also offer exciting special offers and coupons including free 2nd opinion on HVAC quotes! We make furnace repair simple and easy. It's that Easy; it's Estes!
Schedule service today.
