It may be summer, but before you know it, temperatures will be dropping and it will be time to crank up the furnace again. Before you settle into the change of temperature, be sure you check your furnace for any damage, as you may not have used your heating system for several months. Even if everything seems to be running smoothly, it may be worthwhile to call an HVAC service to ensure that your system will work through the cold winter months. Below are three of the most common causes of furnace failure, and why you should watch for them before the weather changes.
Cracked Heat Exchanger
Experts agree that reducing airflow to a heat exchanger can result in cracks, which could be causing your furnace to malfunction. The heat exchanger is an S-shaped metal coilin a gas-fired furnace. Once it’s heated, a fan pushes the resulting warm air through a duct, thus creating the heating effect. If you don’t allow air to reach the heat exchanger (often from not changing or cleaning your filters) the fire cannot start. In extreme cases, this can result in the heat exchanger cracking, which must be replaced by a trusted HVAC company.
Broken Motor
Even if your heat exchanger is working, a problem with the motor in the furnace can mean that the fan does not undulate, so hot air does not go through the duct and through your home. This is often results from a clog, so looking into furnace repair that includes a duct cleaning can often resolve the issue.
Ignition Failure
Your furnace should include a feature that monitors the pilot light, or the ignition that warms the heat exchanger. If your pilot light is not operational, or if you aren’t sure where to look, you can contact an HVAC service to talk to about a furnace repair. Experts agree that you should have the pilot light checked annually to ensure that it’s still igniting.
If you think you need heat repair, be sure to find a trusted heating and cooling service that can provide year-round support. Furnace repair can take time, so don’t put it off until the last minute. The last thing you want is to be caught without heat in the middle of a snowstorm or record low temperatures.