Ordinary Wintertime Furnace Problems
As the cold winter season starts to return, it’s likely that you’ve scheduled your annual furnace maintenance. That’s a very important part of keeping your furnace in working order. However, malfunctions can still occur. As a homeowner, it’s a good idea to understand some of the most common furnace problems so that you can work to fix them more quickly so that your home doesn’t have to be without heat for too long.
Dead Thermostat Batteries
One of the most alarming issues that you may stumble across with your furnace this winter season is that your thermostat won’t turn on. Typically, when your thermostat is in good working order, it will display the actual temperature of your home and your desired temperature settings. If you notice that the display screen is not working at all, it’s likely that the batteries have gone dead in your thermostat. You’ll simply need to pop the cover off your thermostat and replace the batteries.
Faulty Thermostat
In the event that your thermostat display does not turn on after replacing the batteries and checking that the circuit breaker is on, it’s an indication that your thermostat is faulty and needs to be replaced. Your thermostat may also need to be replaced if you’re unable to change any of the settings on it and you’ve checked to make sure that the child lock is off. Lastly, if your thermostat settings are set correctly, and your furnace is not kicking on when the temperature gets below your set temperature, it could be an internal problem with your thermostat and will need to be replaced.
Worn Out Ball Bearings
One overly alarming noise that your furnace can make is a scraping or grinding sound. Whenever you hear this noise, it’s a likely indication that the ball bearings inside of a fan motor are wearing out. You should be turning off your furnace immediately. This will help to prevent any further damage from happening to your furnace until the motor can be replaced.
Yellow Pilot Light
In order for your furnace to work, it needs to have a source of fire that works to burn the fuel that your furnace uses. The blue flame from the pilot light on your furnace should always be visible whenever your furnace is on. If you notice that the flame is no longer blue and has turned to a yellow color, it’s an indication that there’s something wrong with your system. This could be something as simple as excess oil or grime that is being burnt. Or, it could mean that there is a carbon monoxide leak. If you’re experiencing a yellow pilot light, it’s advisable that you shut off your furnace and contact a professional to evaluate the situation.
Frayed Fan Belt
There are various fans that run throughout your heating system that are responsible for forcing air in certain directions. These fans are controlled by a belt that is wrapped around the pulley of a motor. Over time, these belts can start to wear out, and you’ll notice that they will fray. When a belt starts to fray, you’ll hear a squealing noise coming from your heating system. To fix this issue, you need to turn off your heating system and evaluate which fan belt is having the issue. You need to replace it with a fan belt of a similar model to ensure that it will work efficiently in your heating system.
Clogged Filter
Probably the most common issue that you’re going to run across with your furnace is a clogged filter. This is the natural way that the filter works. When it reaches the end of its life span, it becomes completely clogged up with debris. This can make it more difficult for your heating system to force air through the filter. The most common indication of this problem is a lack of adequate warm air in your home.
Replacing the filter is fairly easy to do. You’ll need to locate the filter housing on your system and pull the filter out. If you can no longer see through the filter, it’s time to replace it. You need to replace it with a filter of the same model number to ensure that it fits securely within the housing. You should be replacing your filter every couple of months for optimal airflow efficiency throughout your heating system.
Dependable Heating Service
JAMCO Heating & Air Conditioning is your dependable heating service professional for the Deptford area. We’re also here for all of your cooling and sheet metal needs. Just give us a call today to get the help that you need.
