Most of us don’t want to think about heating repairs, but it is common to encounter issues when you need to restart the system for the colder weather. When your heater is sat, it can accumulate dirt, dust and other debris that could interfere with the furnace workings. This means that if you haven’t had professional annual maintenance, you may be crossing your fingers when you want to turn on the furnace for the first time. While it is not advisable to attempt any repairs yourself or start to poke around your gas furnace, it can be helpful to be aware of the common issues so you can more easily spot if you have a repair problem.
Ignition Problems:
Your gas furnace is likely to have a pilot light or electronic ignition. Your particular ignition will depend on the model and age of your furnace. Unfortunately, either model is not invulnerable to issues and can experience problems that affect whether the burner can be lit. Faulty thermocouples, position shifts, even dust, and dirt can prevent your furnace igniting. If your furnace is not igniting, it may be a simple issue of cleaning, or you may need a replacement part. The problem will need to be investigated by a trained expert, to the issue can be diagnosed and corrected as quickly as possible.
Air Flow Problems:
There can be a few reasons why there isn’t the correct amount of warm air circulating in your home. The first potential issue is a problem with the blower. Your blower is the primary fan in your heater that is needed to push the warmed air around your living spaces. If the fan or its components develop any type of issue, it may not work correctly. The second type of air flow problem can be traced to a clogged air filter. When air filters are clogged, air flow is restricted that creates lower air volumes and places greater strain on the system. If left unchecked, airflow problems can develop into major issues that can cause a poor heating performance or even a breakdown.
Heat Exchanger Problems:
The heat exchanger is at the core of your furnace, and when it becomes cracked or excessively dirty, it will be unable to work as needed. An experienced technician can easily clean a dirty heat exchanger as part of a service or regular maintenance. If your heat exchanger has become cracked or damaged, it will need to be replaced.
Gas furnaces are an effective way to heat a home, but they do need care and attention to ensure that they continue to operate correctly and safely. If you want to ensure that your furnace is ready to handle the colder winter temperatures, it is a good idea to have your system checked by an HVAC technician. Most manufacturers recommend scheduling a service for your furnace and heating system once a year. An experienced technician can assess your furnace and perform any preventative maintenance necessary to ensure that it is operating at peak efficiency and performance.