Denver's Top 10 Furnace and Heating Issues

A broken furnace is one of the greatest frustrations in cold winter months. These problems rarely seem to occur at a convenient time, and a major repair is never a welcome surprise. Understanding the most common problems you are likely to encounter will help you to be prepared and possibly even avoid them. Most of these problems can be easily addressed with proper maintenance and a little attention, such as changing the air filter or checking the thermostat.

There are many reasons your furnace may need to be repaired. Here are the top ten problems we see in Denver that may cause a breakdown:

1. Dirty or clogged filters

Dirty air filters lead to a lot of problems. A dirty or clogged air filter prevents air from circulating which forces your system to work harder. Dust and debris that collects in the system will eventually show up in your living spaces.

2. Air circulation issues

Damaged fan motors, belts and bearings can cause excessive heat or poor heating control.

3. Thermostat issues

Several problems that appear to be with the furnace itself could actually be an issue with the thermostat. A faulty thermostat, or one that isn’t set correctly, could cause issues with comfort level or with the fan.

4. Furnace or heating system pilot or ignition control problems

When the pilot light or ignition control system gets dirty or worn out, it no longer lights. Without it, the furnace cannot heat your home.

5. Lack of maintenance

Regular maintenance — including an annual professional inspection and replacing the air filter on a regular basis — is the simplest, most cost-effective way to keep your system in top shape. Putting off maintenance can cost you more money over the life of your furnace with lower efficiency (higher utility bills), more frequent and expensive repairs, and shorter time to replacement.

6. The furnace doesn’t heat at all

This could be a problem with the thermostat setting, lack of power to the unit, gas not flowing properly or the pilot light not igniting.

7. The furnace doesn’t heat enough

This can be as simple as a dirty air filter or as complex as an improperly sized furnace.

8. Frequent cycling

Frequent on and off cycling may be due to a clogged filter, an incorrectly set thermostat or improper airflow.

9. The blower runs continuously

A blower that runs all the time could indicate a bad limit switch.

10. The furnace is too noisy

Normal furnace operation creates some noise, but typically not enough to be noticeable or distracting. Any loud or unusual noises, such as rumbling, squeaking or rattles aren’t normal and should be checked out by your HVAC technician. These sounds may mean there is a mechanical problem, poor airflow or a clogged burner.

How to avoid furnace and heating issues

In most cases, keeping your furnace running well takes these simple steps:

• Change the air filters every 30 to 60 days or as recommended by the furnace manufacturer.
• Check the thermostat to be sure settings haven’t been changed and that it is set for optimal use.
• Have your furnace regularly inspected and maintained by a qualified HVAC technician.