Your furnace is an integral part of your home. Without one, you wouldn’t be able to keep warm during cold weather. Yet furnaces can have some issues that are more common than others.
Let’s go over these issues and about what they might cost to fix so you know before you call an HVAC technician. Some of the most common furnace repair issues involve:
- Furnace won’t turn on
- Furnace doesn’t stay lit
- Furnace won’t blow hot air
- Furnace won’t turn off
1. Furnace Won’t Turn On
There are a couple of reasons why your furnace won’t turn on, so make sure to go through all of them.
- Is your thermostat set correctly? Make sure it’s on “heat,” “auto” and that your desired temperature is greater than the room’s current temperature. If you use a programmable thermostat, make sure it has fresh batteries.
- Is the circuit breaker tripped? Your furnace can’t run if it doesn’t have electricity. Reset the switch if it’s facing the outside of the electrical panel.
- Is the furnace switch off? Your furnace has a power switch located on or close to it. Because this switch resembles a light switch, it’s easy to accidentally turn it off. If it was off, it might take your furnace a few minutes to turn on.
- Is the air filter clean? A dirty air filter can cause a lot of problems for your furnace. Get a new one if you can’t see light through it.
Estimated Repair Cost
This problem can be complicated, so the estimated cost to repair it depends on what’s wrong.
2. Furnace Won’t Stay Lit
Your furnace follows a certain sequence when it starts heating your home.
- Your thermostat detects the temperature has dropped and tells your furnace to turn on.
- The draft inducer fan turns on to bring in fresh air for combustion.
- The gas valve opens for the burners, which are lit electronically.
- The flame sensor tells your furnace the burners have been lit.
If something is wrong during the sequence, your furnace will shut off as a preventive measure.
A couple of potential causes for this issue include:
- Dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor. If the sensor doesn’t detect a flame, it will turn off your furnace to keep natural gas from spilling into your home. The ignition process corrodes flame sensors over time. While cleaning during annual furnace maintenance can help, yours may eventually need to be replaced.
- Bad limit switch. This safety feature will turn off your furnace if it detects backdrafting. Backdrafting is dangerous, since carbon monoxide and natural gas can seep into your home. These switches can malfunction due to age, damage or dust buildup.
- Old thermostat. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, your furnace won’t be able to operate.
- Dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can reduce airflow and cause your furnace to shut off to prevent overheating. Make sure to change yours every 30 to 90 days, or whenever you can’t see light through it.
Estimated Repair Cost
These costs are estimates, so it’s necessary to note yours may fluctuate based on your furnace’s brand and model.
- Flame sensor: $350–$500
- Limit switch: $150–$300
- Thermostat: $150–$350
- Furnace filter: $10-$30
3. Furnace Won’t Blow Hot Air
In many cases, this problem is linked to an incorrect thermostat setting or a dusty air filter that’s restricting airflow. Use the steps above to resolve the problem.
4. Furnace Won’t Turn Off
If it’s very chilly outside or you like your home to be warm, your furnace may be working for a long time.
If this isn’t what's happening, make sure your thermostat is set correctly and working properly. If your fan setting is at “on,” the blower motor will be running even when the furnace isn’t, so it’ll seem like your furnace is running all the time.
Alternatively, there might be an issue with the blower motor or your ductwork may be leaking air, making your furnace run continuously to make up for the air loss.
Estimated Repair Cost
These costs are estimates, so it’s important to note yours may be different based on your furnace’s brand and model.
- New blower motor: $250–$800
- Seal ductwork: varies based on house size
ACS Heating and Air Conditioning Can Solve Your Furnace Problems Quickly and Affordably
Furnace issues can be a costly headache, but not when you call ACS Heating and Air Conditioning. We’ve been delivering the quality, affordable furnace repair Tucker homeowners have relied on since 1969. Call us at 770-450-1539 to receive your free estimate today.