Troy & Clinton Township homeowners rely on their furnaces for indoor comfort all winter long. However, HVAC problems are most likely to develop during cold spells—right when you need your furnace the most. Here are the top issues you might experience with your furnace this winter and how to troubleshoot each one.
- Short cycling: When your furnace cycles on and off too frequently, it experiences extra wear and tear. The system may also fail to reach the target temperature. Short cycling is a sign that the furnace is overheating. Try replacing the filter to improve airflow and restore normal cycling patterns.
- Low airflow: Place your hand over the supply registers throughout your house. If the airflow feels weak from all of them, dirty fan blades or a clogged air filter may be to blame. If only some vents exhibit a problem, there may be a localized blockage, leak, or disconnected joint in the ductwork. Try changing the air filter, and if that doesn’t work, schedule furnace repair.
- Lack of heat: The air coming from the vents may feel cool if the thermostat is set to “on” instead of “auto.” This leaves the blower running even when the burner has shut off. Then again, if the furnace runs constantly without ever reaching the target temperature, it may require professional repair.
- Carbon monoxide leaks: While rare, natural gas appliances can develop CO leaks. This odorless, colorless gas can be deadly, so it’s vital to have carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home. If an alarm goes off, exit your home immediately and call the fire department, followed by your utility company and a furnace repair technician.
- Cold spots: Are some rooms more difficult to heat than others? This could be due to air leaks or lack of insulation in the walls, ceilings, floors, or air ducts of certain rooms. Your furnace may also be having trouble circulating air properly. No matter the issue, requesting a furnace repair is a good place to start.
- Faulty thermostat: Sometimes, the thermostat’s electronics are to blame. Try changing the batteries. If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace the thermostat or the wiring connecting it to the furnace. A heating technician can assist with these tasks.
- Finicky pilot light: Older gas furnaces feature a constantly burning pilot light, which ignites the burner when the heater turns on. If the pilot light won’t stay lit, or a dirty flame sensor fails to detect a lit burner, the furnace won’t operate properly. Get help from a technician to relight the pilot or replace the flame sensor.
If your HVAC system develops any of these issues this winter, and troubleshooting proves unsuccessful, schedule furnace repair with Hoover Electric. We have over 40 years of experience serving the Clinton Township area. We even offer emergency HVAC services when a repair can’t wait for regular business hours. Contact us online or reach out to us at (586) 756-5676 for the services you need.
