While Huntsville isn’t known for its extremely cold winters, it does get quite chilly in December and January. Can you imagine spending a cold winter night without your furnace? There are few things worse, right? It’s stressful and uncomfortable to deal with a faulty furnace. It’s bound to happen eventually, but preventive maintenance and smart problem-solving can help you avoid an untimely system failure.

Common Furnace Problems to Check for Before Winter

If your furnace is showing signs of malfunction, you want to call an HVAC service professional immediately. Your furnace could work but still exhibit signs of pending problems. There are several common warning signs you don’t want to ignore. Otherwise, you could end up with a complete failure of your furnace.

Why Is My Furnace Short Cycling?

• Broken Thermostat: If you’re having temperature control issues or your fan is working overtime, your thermostat could be to blame. A broken thermostat can lead to furnace inefficiency.

Why Is My Furnace Leaking Water?

If your furnace is leaking water, turn off the system immediately. Be sure to clean up carefully to avoid a potential mold problem. Some water leaks are a simple fix, and others are far more serious.

• Clogged Filter: When your heater’s filter is clogged, it will reduce the intake ability of your furnace, reducing its efficiency and potentially damaging the limit switch. Your filters should be changed at least once per quarter to prevent system complications.
• Clogged Condensation Drain: Check the drain line at the exit point of your home for clogs and debris. If you don’t see evidence of water or moisture from the line, give us a call. We can blow the line out with high-pressure air.
• Heat Exchanger: If your filter is clean and your condensation line is properly functioning, we will need to come out and check your heat exchanger for issues. Sometimes, we find a minor problem a homeowner may not detect. Heat exchangers are expensive, so we recommend a service call if you are unable to easily troubleshoot the water leaking from your gas furnace.

Why Does My Furnace Keep Turning Off?

• Weak Pilot Light: Your furnace’s pilot light shouldn’t flicker. Your pilot light should be bright blue, and if it changes colors, like yellow, for instance, it could be a sign of an excess of carbon monoxide in your system. You should seek an immediate inspection.

• Worn or Broken Limit Switch: The limit switch controls the furnace blower assembly, and the limit switch also controls how warm is pushed through the air ducts. To ensure your furnace doesn’t overheat, the limit switch shuts down the furnace when it’s compromised so to avoid complications.

• Broken or Faulty Heat Exchanger: The heat exchanger is responsible for keeping your warming flame and the air separate, which is the safety function of your furnace. Many issues can cause a heat exchanger to break or malfunction. Regular maintenance and prompt replacement or repair of supporting systems can help protect the life of your heat exchanger.

Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

• Worn Blower Belt: If you’re asking, Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air? The blower belt could be the culprit. Your blower belt is part of the motor, and it keeps the fan of your furnace running. When it’s worn or broken, it can negatively impact the effectiveness of your system. If you hear loud squealing noises coming from your furnace, it could be a sign your belt is worn.

• Worn Ball Bearings: The ball bearings in your furnace keep the motor running smoothly. When they wear out, you will need to replace them. An HVAC specialist can ensure the ball bearings in your system are changed before they are worn out, which is better for your system. When they’re worn, the bearing can scrape the inside of your furnace, emitting a horrible sound.

Call Air Care Systems Schedule to Schedule a Furnace Tune-Up Today!

If you’ve checked your furnace in preparation for the coming winter and noticed a problem, it’s time to call the HVAC experts at Air Care Systems. We can ensure your furnace is ready for action as soon as the weather is cold. You can prevent expensive system repairs by proactively scheduling ongoing furnace maintenance. Call us now at (256) 537-9987 or use our convenient online contact portal to schedule an appointment or request more information about our maintenance services.