There are a lot of different signs and symptoms that indicate that a furnace isn’t operating the way it should be. Failing to heat properly is one of the more obvious ones. If your furnace isn’t putting out enough heat this season, you should obviously have it examined by a professional technician as soon as possible. While you’re waiting for your heating technician to get there, though, why not read through some of the possible reasons why your furnace is acting that way?
Clogged Burner Assembly
If you’re using a gas furnace, it’s possible that it’s not generating enough heat because the burner assembly is partially or entirely clogged. This can often happen as the result of carbon particles building up on the jets in the assembly, a common byproduct of combusting natural gas. Eventually, the carbon buildup can get so bad that the jets in the assembly become too clogged to ignite. This prevents the furnace from generating enough heat. Having a professional clean out the burner assembly should resolve this issue.
Clogged Air Filter
Another part that commonly gets clogged is the air filter. The furnace air filter sits in the return duct for the system, and removes contaminants from all air that enters the system. If the filter is not changed every three months or so, it will become clogged with all the dust and other debris that it has captured. A clogged air filter will prevent the furnace from circulating enough air, lowering its output capacity in the process. Change your air filter every three months to prevent this from happening.
Malfunctioning Air Handler
The air handler is the part of the furnace responsible for actually blowing through the ducts while the system is running. If the air handler malfunctions in some way, it can seriously impact the furnace’s ability to distribute enough heat. If you hear your furnace making a loud grinding sound in addition to having low heat output, that often means that the air handler is in trouble. You should act quickly to have it repaired, before the motor burns out and you have to have it replaced.
Short Cycling
If your furnace is turning itself on and off every couple of minutes, that means it’s short cycling. Short cycling cuts down on the furnace’s heating ability, since it prevents it from completing a full heating cycle. However, it also makes it wear down much faster than it normally does. A furnace that is allowed to short cycle for an extended period of time will be more likely to develop issues in the future. So, if your furnace is doing this, it’s a good idea to call for repairs as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more damage will be done to the system.
DB Heating & Cooling, Inc. offers a full range of furnace repair services in Westwood, NJ. If you need your furnace repaired for any reason, we can help you out. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our technicians.