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 review these problems 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 include:
- 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 few reasons why your furnace won’t turn on, so make sure to check all of them.
- Is your thermostat set correctly? Make sure it’s on “heat,” “auto” and that your preferred 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 found on or close to it. Since this switch looks like a light switch, it’s easy to accidentally turn it off. If it was off, it might take your furnace a few minutes to start.
- Is the air filter clean? A dirty air filter can cause a lot of issues for your furnace. Replace yours if you can’t see light through it.
Estimated Repair Cost
This issue 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 specific sequence when it begins heating your home.
- Your thermostat detects the temperature has fallen and tells your furnace to turn on.
- The draft inducer fan activates to pull in fresh air for combustion.
- The gas valve unlocks for the burners, which are lit electronically.
- The flame sensor signals to your furnace the burners have been ignited.
If something is wrong during the sequence, your furnace will shut down as a preventive measure.
A couple of possible causes for this problem include:
- Dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor. If the sensor doesn’t sense a flame, it will turn off your furnace to prevent natural gas from spilling into your home. The ignition process corrodes flame sensors as time passes. While cleaning during annual furnace maintenance can help, yours may eventually need to be replaced.
- Bad limit switch. This safety feature will shut off your furnace if it detects backdrafting. Backdrafting is dangerous, because carbon monoxide and natural gas can seep into your home. These switches can fail 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 restrict airflow and cause your furnace to shut down to prevent overheating. Make sure to replace 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 instances, this problem is tied to an incorrect thermostat setting or a dirty air filter that’s limiting airflow. Follow the steps above to fix the problem.
4. Furnace Won’t Turn Off
If it’s extremely cold outside or you like your home to be toasty, your furnace may be working for a long time.
If this isn’t the case, 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 on all the time.
Otherwise, 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 vary based on your furnace’s brand and model.
- New blower motor: $250–$800
- Seal ductwork: varies based on square footage
Bell Air Conditioning Inc Can Resolve Your Furnace Issues Quickly and Affordably
Furnace problems can be a costly headache, but not when you work with Bell Air Conditioning Inc. We’ve been delivering the quality, affordable furnace repair Temple/Belton homeowners have trusted since 1964. Contact us at 254-307-9572 to receive your free estimate today.