Keeping your home warm when the temperatures drop is already a big job for your heating system. However, when heating problems happen, your system has to work harder to keep your house warm. Here are the 8 most common heating problems with your furnace that can be resolved with simple preventative maintenance or repair from a qualified professional. Douglas Cooling & Heating offers preventative maintenance plans to keep your heating system functioning smoothly even when it gets extremely cold outside.
- Dirty Air Filters
Clogged air filters restrict airflow in your home, causing your furnace to work harder to circulate heat to every room. Dirty filters can even damage the limit switch that controls the fan, as well as other components. You should clean or replace your air filter once every three to four months to keep your HVAC system healthy and running smoothly. During preventative maintenance, our technicians will change or clean your filter to ensure your airflow isn’t obstructed.
- Frequent Cycling On and Off
A common furnace problem is the unit cycling on and off repeatedly. This indicates there could be a clogged filter, restricted airflow, or a problem with your thermostat. All three of these problems are addressed with preventive maintenance, but when your unit isn’t taken care of, frequent cycling of your furnace may occur.
- Air Leaks in Your Home
Air leaks in your home cause problems with your furnace’s performance and affects the heating dispersed throughout your home. Air leaks in your home can be found in several places, such as around windows, doors, recessed lighting, attic hatches, and even in your ductwork. A technician will inspect your ductwork for any air leaks during a preventative maintenance call. If air leaks in your home are found via the ducts, they will either be sealed, or the damaged section will be replaced.
- Moldy HVAC System
A moist climate can cause problems inside your HVAC system regardless of the season. Even in the winter, moisture can build up, and mold will begin to grow in your heating system. Douglas Cooling & Heating’ technicians will inspect your whole unit and determine if you have mold inside your unit or the air ducts during maintenance. When mold is found, we will eliminate the mold and properly insulate and seal leaky ducts to prevent mold growth in the future.
- Blower Continuously Runs
If you notice that your blower is continuously running, you might have a problem with your limit switch. The best way to handle a blower problem is to call a professional to have the switch replaced and have your furnace inspected for other issues that might cause your blower to run non-stop.
- Furnace Is Too Noisy
Furnaces aren’t always quiet, but they shouldn’t make squeaking, squealing, rumbling, or rattling noises while operating. If you hear these noises, contact Douglas Cooling & Heating immediately! These sounds indicate something needs to be diagnosed quickly, such as a mechanical problem, clogged burner, or airflow obstructions.
- Malfunctioning Thermostat
A faulty thermostat will give false readings, causing problems with your furnace’s performance and leading to cold spots in your home. During a maintenance call, your thermostat is checked to make sure it is communicating correctly with your furnace, and the settings are checked to ensure your home comfortable in every room. If an issue is detected during service, our NATE-certified technicians will offer suggestions to resolve the problem.
- High Energy Bills
Energy bills that spike point directly to your furnace and other heating equipment’s efficiency. There are several reasons why your energy bill might be high, which is why maintenance is so important for your HVAC system. A professional will inspect your unit for potential problems and keep your system operating at its highest efficiency. Douglas Cooling & Heating will keep your system functioning longer and operating efficiently during the coldest time of year!
Keep problems with your furnace at a minimum this winter and schedule preventative maintenance with Douglas Cooling & Heating! Our technicians are the best in the industry through NATE-certifications, experience, and continued learning. We want you to keep warm by avoiding unexpected heating repairs!
