Your residential furnace is an often underappreciated yet integral part of your home’s heating system. When things are working correctly, you’ll barely notice anything other than a warm and comfy home. In contrast, a small problem can cause your furnace to perform poorly or not turn on at all.
If you can’t get heat, it means you’ll need to stock up on blankets and firewood. You might even rush to find a reliable AC repair in Ashburn, VA.
If you want to learn more about residential furnaces and the top five common problems homeowners deal with, read on!
Whether you’re searching for furnace repair or duct cleaning, Cardinal Plumbing, Cooling and Heating has your back. Contact us today at 703-645-4527 to schedule an appointment.
1. Furnace Not Producing Heat
The most obvious problem furnace owners report is a lack of heat. Since this is the main purpose of a furnace, you can imagine that this issue is a fairly serious one.
If your furnace isn’t doing its job, it should send up a red flag. While serious problems will require the assistance of your local Ashburn heating and air conditioning services, other root causes might not be as severe.
Here are some common problems that you can handle yourself:
- Check your fan settings — If your HVAC system has a fan setting, it could be the cause of your heating woes. You might have the fan setting turned on. If so, this can mean the furnace is not warming the flowing air.
- Is your thermostat on the right mode? — Before you ring up your local HVAC specialist, check to make sure you have your thermostat on the correct “heat” mode.
- Inspect your pilot light — You might not know it, but a small pilot light lives in most furnaces. If the light goes out, it means the furnace can’t produce warm air. Both older and newer models can experience this problem.
2. Short Cycling
If your furnace is in a constant state of turning on and off, it might mean your system is in a “short cycle.” Short cycling can occur for a few reasons. Most commonly, it means your system is trying to maintain the set temperature and can’t finish the job.
A tell-tale sign that your furnace is short cycling is that the unit will only run for a few minutes before turning off. Often, the cause of short cycling is poor airflow. To prevent this from happening, you need to stay on top of changing your HVAC filters.
Short cycling can be indicative of more serious issues. When in doubt, always contact a trained HVAC professional. Luckily, if you’re hunting for affordable HVAC and AC repair in Ashburn, VA, Cardinal Plumbing offers the services you need to get your home back to being comfortable and inviting.
3. Irregular Noises Coming from Furnace
Let’s face it, diagnosing furnace issues can be a struggle. Since manufacturers hide most components behind the scenes, it can be challenging to inspect them when problems arise. One strategy you can implement is listening to your system.
To get a good gauge of what your system sounds like, you’ll need a reference. All you need to do is listen to your furnace the next time it turns on and pay attention to the sound. Take note of what sounds—or lack of sound— you can hear.
When a mechanical issue comes up, you may be able to hear the problem first, and get help before more damage occurs.
4. Tripped Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers are an essential part of your home’s electrical safety network.
When a circuit overloads, the breaker cuts the electrical current before a short happens. If your furnace is tripping your breakers, it could be a sign of something more serious.
Tripping a breaker every once in a while isn’t a huge issue. If it happens frequently, you’ll need to find the source of the problem.
Here are a few common sources of tripped breakers and furnaces:
- Overloaded furnace — If your furnace is working overtime, it could cause your circuit to overload. Dirty air filters, blocked vents, restricting ductwork and broken parts can all be the culprit.
- Other devices on the circuit — Other power-hungry devices on the same circuit can be the source of overload. Your furnace should have its own circuit for this reason.
- Short circuits and ground faults — Improper wiring, damage from rodents and faulty repairs all can cause loose wires to touch. When this happens, the furnace works overtime and trips the breaker.
- Issues with the breaker box — Your home might have an older breaker box. Old wiring and outdated parts can be the cause of constantly tripped breakers. Always consult an electrician when dealing with electrical box upgrades.
5. Furnace Not Turning on When You Need It
In a properly operating system, the signal from your thermostat will trigger your furnace to turn on automatically. If you’ve noticed that your furnace isn’t turning on and the air in your home is chilly, it could mean you’ve got issues with your furnace.
Much like other furnace problems, the fix could be something simple or it could mean costly repairs. Only your local AC repair in Ashburn, VA, will know how to handle the problem.
It could be a problem with your circuit breaker. It might mean you have faulty parts or other issues like a faulty pilot light. Whatever the issue, your HVAC technician will know what to do.
Ashburn Heating and Air Conditioning Services You Can Trust
Whatever furnace issues you might run into, Cardinal Plumbing, Cooling and Heating is here to help. Our team of licensed HVAC technicians can handle any furnace issue in no time.
For the most reliable AC repair in Ashburn, VA, contact Cardinal Plumbing, Cooling and Heating online today to schedule an appointment.