When those cold winter nights blow in, you need your heater to warm your house. When a furnace is not working, it can make for a very uncomfortable living situation.
Like all appliances, things can go wrong with your furnace that will prevent it from working correctly. While there are a wide range of furnaces on the market, there are common issues that all of them experience.
Understanding what the problems might be and what the issues are signs of can help you get a solution fast.
What Does it Mean When a Furnace is Blowing Cold Air?
If your furnace is blowing cold air, that may be a cause for concern. It isn’t necessarily the sign of a huge problem, though. It could be as simple as a fan setting being off on the thermostat. If you set the thermostat to run the fan, it will only circulate the home’s air and won’t warm the air.
When a furnace keeps running, it’s also possible there is a faulty thermostat. If the thermostat isn’t telling the furnace that it’s reached the appropriate temperature, then it won’t shut off.
Another common reason why your furnace isn’t blowing hot air is the filter needs to be changed. Dust and other particles can clog the filter and restrict airflow through it.
It’s also possible that the pilot light is out. This flame ignites your fuel source, which warms the air. The fix could be as simple as re-lighting the pilot light, or the thermocouple has built in safety features so the furnace repair could require the services of a professional HVAC company like Rowland Air.
Your Furnace Turns On and Off
When your furnace is running correctly, it will turn on and off based on the temperatures you set in the thermostat. When a furnace keeps shutting off before the home gets to the set temperature, there may not be enough airflow, which may cause it to overheat.
When your furnace won’t kick on, the problem could be as simple as a faulty breaker or a problem with an electrical outlet. In the case of an oil furnace, a lack of fuel could be the culprit as well. A lack of fuel could be one reason why your furnace won’t stay lit.
Can a Furnace Leak Water?
Condensation leaks can occur in certain furnaces. If the condensation pipes that route water produced by air combustion leaks, then you could find a pool of water around your furnace. Pipe leaks are typically the most common reason why your furnace leaks water.
What’s Happening When a Furnace Makes Noise?
Your furnace will make some noise, but what’s happening if it’s making too much? A rattling or knocking noise could be a sign of some part coming loose. If you hear a rumbling noise, your furnace may be out of fuel.
If you’re hearing a different noise than usual coming from your furnace, you should have the professionals at Rowland Air check on your system.
Odor Issues
From time to time, you may smell certain odors coming from your furnace. These can be alarming.
When a furnace smells like burning, a professional should check it out immediately. It may be leaking oil or gas or burning too hot. Both situations could be quite dangerous.
If you smell eggs, that could indicate a natural gas leak. If you smell this, call your gas company immediately, and have everyone evacuate the home.
With foul odors coming from your furnace, it’s always best to play it safe.