Introduction:

Many people in the United States believe that furnaces are more common in homes in northern states than in southern ones. Unfortunately, the warm weather that allows for the cultivation of our exceptional Wisler does not last year-round in Roanoke, Virginia. If you live in the area you know you need artificial heating to get through the season when winter temperatures sneak 40 degrees into your home.

Professional maintenance and repairs will keep your appliance in top condition and help you prevent or alleviate common furnace problems before they become serious. For a trusted Roanoke furnace repair, trust Wisler Plumbing & Air to fix the problems listed below and more.

Furnace Problems That Most Homeowners Experience

1. Lack of Heating Power

If your furnace lacks heat output, it will either blow cold air or no air at all. The first thing a professional will check when the air comes out cold is debris in the system that is impeding airflow or limiting heating. Because the heat comes from the pilot flame that ignites the burners of a natural gas furnace, the accumulation of dirt on the rim of the pilot burner creates a dull spark that is easily extinguished.

Other furnaces use a flame sensor instead of a pilot light, but the same rules apply. If dirt or dust accumulates on the flame sensor, it will not ignite. The air then flows through the combustion chamber without being heated and thus directs the fresh air back into your home.

A specialist not only cleans your heating components, but also your air filters. Air filters trap dust, dander, and other airborne allergens so the furnace doesn’t suck these contaminants in and disperse them throughout your home. Unfortunately, unless you clean or replace your filters every three months, heavy buildup will impede controlled airflow, resulting in little or no airflow.

Other reasons why your furnace will run but not produce the desired temperature include the following factors:

• A failed fan will not deliver controlled air: Dirty filters will damage the limit switch that signals fan operation.
• The thermostat is incorrectly set to a colder temperature or is faulty: Your thermostat may be reading incorrectly or sending incorrect signals to your furnace about when to turn on and off.
• Low Gas Supply Cannot Fire Your furnace: furnaces will stop working when fuel is low, so a low supply will prevent the unit from going through a full heating cycle.

2. Furnace Doesn’t Power On

The only thing worse than your furnace turning on with no comfort is it not turning on at all. Usually re-adjusting a small component will help get your furnace working again, setting your thermostat on a warm setting as fall approaches. You should also try cycling the circuit breaker or turning on the gas line. However, if these changes don’t work, there may be a technical issue.

Of our top five furnace problems, this problem has the most root causes and sometimes results in the need for a new unit. However, before you research your favorite brands for a new system, call a certified technician to take a close look at your furnace.

Clogging in your device, whether it’s in your air filters, coils, or air ducts, causes your system to have to work harder to produce the desired temperature. This is because every single part struggles to function beyond the deposits, causing your system to deteriorate prematurely. Not only will this cause your device to overheat and increase your electric bill, but it will eventually shut down and require a costly repair or replacement.

Other causes of your furnace not heating include:

• Faulty Ignition, Flame Sensor or Pilot: If you hear a click from your appliance but it won’t ignite, these heating components may be faulty or worn out.
• Your thermostat is broken or needs to be replaced with a battery: If your thermostat won’t turn on, it can’t send signals to your furnace to turn it on.
• A dirty or defective fan motor: The motor draws in air and redistributes it. However, if it is clogged, it will not direct enough air to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger will then overheat and shut down your entire device.

3. Furnace Is Long Cycling

If your furnace cycles longer before shutting off, it might take forever to create a comfortable atmosphere. Long cycling could signal that you have an undersized unit working harder to warm your home, resulting in long heating durations. If you call a professional, they’ll measure your home in square inches and use a BTU calculator to determine an appropriately sized unit.

If your unit is the correct size for your home but still long-cycles, dirty filters likely restrict airflow. When little controlled air comes from your vents, it’ll continue running until your indoor temperature matches your thermostat setting, which takes longer. Only when it finally heats your home does your thermostat send signals to your furnace to turn off. 

Your furnace may also long cycle when:

• Your defective heat exchange isn’t providing enough heat 
• The thermostat gives false lower readings and keeps your system running longer
• Inefficient duct systems or long duct passageways cause the air to lose momentum or seep out before reaching your household rooms 

4. Furnace Is Short Cycling 

If your system only goes through short cycles, your furnace will heat up your home in a matter of minutes and shut down immediately. When that happens, your home might feel snug, but when you get your monthly utility bills, you’ll feel like a cold shower, as the constant on and off uses more electricity.

Short cycles, like long cycles, can be due to insufficient one-size-fits-all. If your furnace is too big for your space, you will notice this problem when you first purchase your system. This short cycle problem also occurs with many other furnace problems.

The accumulation of dust and skin flakes in the system leads to overheating, which forces the device to switch off immediately for safety reasons.

A faulty thermostat will give higher readings, suggesting your home is warmer than it looks.

A damaged electronic system causes problems and often shuts down your device.

5. Your Unit Is Producing Loud or Unusual Noises

Noise is still one of the most common problems with furnaces and immediately becomes a nuisance. Unfortunately, this does not mean that all residents must act immediately when unusual noises occur.

However, problematic noises should not be confused with normal furnace functions. For example, every time your furnace is turned on, you hear a pop or click because your burners are firing. If this noise changes to a louder popping sound or does not stop during the furnace cycle, the burners may be fouled, causing gas buildup, or the igniter may not be firing.

Bumps in your air ducts are also common as the sheet metal expands and contracts, resulting in a popping sound. However, this should only be audible when your device turns off and the metal cools and contracts. If you hear the noise constantly, accompanied by a rumbling or rattling noise, there may be debris in your air ducts that will require professional and laborious vacuuming.

Some other sounds to alert you to common furnace problems are:

• Hissing or wheezing occurs when your furnace is forcing air through tight or clogged spaces like dirty air filters.
• A squeaking or squeaking noise means that parts like the fan belt are loose or damaged, or that other components like the shaft bearings or motor need lubrication.
• The hum or buzz comes from loose screws or gears vibrating when the system is powered on.

6. Alarming Smells Are Coming From Your Unit

Furnaces should not emit odors, but it often happens that after being lit for a long time, they smell like burnt dust. This is because dust builds up in moving parts such as the heat exchanger and fan motor and without proper pre-season cleaning, the dust will burn off once the unit starts operating. However, this smell should dissipate a few minutes after first use.

Unfortunately, if the burning smell persists or smells strongly, there may be a wiring problem. In particular, if your furnace’s wires are fraying or getting too hot, you may notice the smell of burnt plastic. Otherwise, there may be a metallic odor due to hot metal parts rubbing or rubbing against each other. In this case, you should turn off your device and contact a professional immediately.

FAQs about 6 common furnace problems that U.S. homeowners experience:

Q: What are the most common furnace problems?

A: The most common furnace problems are:

• Dirty or clogged filters
• Faulty thermostat
• Low refrigerant levels
• Burner problems
• Pilot light problems
• Clogged or damaged coils

Q: What are the consequences of ignoring these problems?

• Ignoring these problems can lead to more serious problems down the road, such as a furnace breakdown.
• It could also make your furnace less energy efficient, which could lead to higher energy bills.
• In some cases, ignoring these problems could even be dangerous, such as if a gas leak occurs.

Q: What are the repairs costs for these problems?

The repair costs for these problems will vary depending on the severity of the problem and the cost of parts and labor.

However, in general, the repairs for these problems are relatively affordable.

For Roanoke Furnace Repairs, Reach Out Wisler Today!

While these are the 6 most common furnace problems that we see on a regular basis, many other problems can be traced back to improper furnace maintenance. Whether you found your problem on this list or not, trust us to thoroughly examine your unit and determine the appropriate course of action to get your furnace back up and running.

Our five star services have earned us the position of the premier HVAC company in the Roanoke area. From emergency assistance and furnace repairs to air conditioning installations and vent cleaning, our trained technicians use world-class tools and equipment to get the job done right every time.

To learn more about common furnace problems or to schedule an appointment with a licensed and certified contractor in Roanoke, Virginia, call 540 405-8028. Our Wisler Plumbing & Air team are ready to help!