Your furnace is an integral part of your home. Without one, you wouldn’t be able to stay warm during the winter. Yet furnaces can have some issues that are more common than others.
Let’s go over these issues and about what they might cost to correct so you know before you contact an HVAC technician. Some of the most common furnace repair problems 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 right? Make sure it’s set to “heat,” “auto” and that your desired temperature is higher than the room’s current temperature. If you use a programmable thermostat, make sure it has new batteries.
- Is the circuit breaker tripped? Your furnace can’t operate if it doesn’t have power. 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 near it. Because this switch looks like a light switch, it’s easy to unintentionally turn it off. If it was off, it might take your furnace a few minutes to turn on.
- Is the air filter clean? A dirty air filter can create a lot of issues for your furnace. Get a new one if you can’t see light through it.
Estimated Repair Cost
This problem can be complicated, so the estimated cost to repair it varies according to what’s wrong.
2. Furnace Won’t Stay Lit
Your furnace uses a specific sequence when it begins heating your home.
- Your thermostat notices the temperature has fallen and tells your furnace to start running.
- The draft inducer fan turns on to bring in fresh air for combustion.
- The gas valve unlocks for the burners, which are ignited electronically.
- The flame sensor signals to your furnace the burners have been ignited.
If something is wrong during the sequence, your furnace will shut off as a safety precaution.
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 ultimately need to be taken out and changed.
- 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 leak into your home. These switches can fail due to age, damage or dust accumulation.
- Old thermostat. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, your furnace won’t be able to run.
- Dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can restrict airflow and cause your furnace to shut off to prevent overheating. Make sure to replace yours every 30 to 90 days, or anytime you can’t see light through it.
Estimated Repair Cost
These costs are estimates, so it’s important 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 restricting airflow. Use the steps above to fix the problem.
4. Furnace Won’t Turn Off
If it’s very cold outside or you like your home to be warm, your furnace may be running for a long time.
If this isn’t what's happening, make sure your thermostat is set correctly and running 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 a problem with the blower motor or your ductwork may be losing air, making your furnace run constantly to make up for the lost air.
Estimated Repair Cost
These costs are estimates, so it’s necessary to note yours may be different based on your furnace’s brand and model.
- New blower motor: $250–$800
- Seal ductwork: varies based on square footage
Dave's Diversified Services Can Solve Your Furnace Problems Quickly and Affordably
Furnace problems can be a costly headache, but not when you work with Dave's Diversified Services. We’ve been providing the quality, affordable furnace repair Front Royal homeowners have trusted since 1999. Contact us at 540-636-3396 to request your free estimate today.