Your furnace is an integral part of your home. Without one, you wouldn’t be able to stay warm during cold weather. Yet furnaces can have some problems that are more common than others.
Let’s go over these issues and about what they might cost to fix 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 couple of reasons why your furnace won’t turn on, so make sure to go through all of them.
- Is your thermostat set correctly? Make sure it’s on “heat,” “auto” and that your desired temperature is greater than the room’s current temperature. If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure it has new batteries.
- Is the circuit breaker tripped? Your furnace can’t run if it doesn’t have electricity. Reset the switch if it’s facing the outside of the electrical panel.
- Is the furnace switch off? Your furnace has a power switch located on or near it. Because this switch resembles a light switch, it’s easy to accidentally turn it off. If it was off, it may take your furnace a few minutes to turn on.
- Is the air filter clean? A dirty air filter can cause a lot of issues for your furnace. Replace yours 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 starts heating your home.
- Your thermostat notices the temperature has dropped and tells your furnace to turn on.
- The draft inducer fan turns on to pull in fresh air for combustion.
- The gas valve opens for the burners, which are ignited electronically.
- The flame sensor signals to your furnace the burners have been ignited.
If something is off during the sequence, your furnace will shut down 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 shut off your furnace to prevent natural gas from getting into your home. The ignition process corrodes flame sensors as time passes. While cleaning during annual furnace maintenance can help, yours may eventually need to be taken out and changed.
- Bad limit switch. This safety feature will turn off your furnace if it senses backdrafting. Backdrafting is hazardous, because carbon monoxide and natural gas can leak into your home. These switches can fail due to age, damage or dust buildup.
- Old thermostat. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, your furnace won’t be able to operate.
- Dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can reduce airflow and cause your furnace to shut down to avoid 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 vary 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 cases, this problem is linked to an incorrect thermostat setting or a dusty air filter that’s limiting airflow. Follow the steps above to resolve the problem.
4. Furnace Won’t Turn Off
If it’s very cold outside or you like your home to be toasty, your furnace may be running for a long time.
If this isn’t what's happening, ensure your thermostat is set correctly and working properly. If your fan setting is at “on,” the blower motor will be running even when the furnace isn’t, so it’ll sound like your furnace is running all the time.
Alternatively, there might be a problem with the blower motor or your ductwork may be leaking 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 house size
Halverson Brothers Inc Can Resolve Your Furnace Issues Quickly and Affordably
Furnace issues can be a costly headache, but not when you work with Halverson Brothers Inc. We’ve been providing the quality, affordable furnace repair Menomonie and western Wisconsin homeowners have trusted since 1945. Call us at 715-352-4052 to receive your free estimate today.