Your furnace is an integral part of your home. Without one, you wouldn’t be able to keep warm during the winter. Yet furnaces can have some problems that are more common than others.

Let’s review these issues and discuss what they might cost to correct so you know before you contact an HVAC technician. Some of the most common furnace repair issues involve:

  • Furnace won’t turn on
  • Furnace doesn’t stay lit
  • Furnace won’t blow hot air
  • Furnace won’t turn off

1. My Furnace Can’t Start

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 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 located on or near it. Because this switch resembles a light switch, it’s easy to unintentionally turn it off. If it was off, it may take your furnace a few minutes to start.
  • Is the air filter clean? A dusty air filter can create a lot of problems for your furnace. Get a new one if you can’t see light through it.

Estimated Repair Cost

This issue can be complicated, so the estimated cost to repair it varies according to what’s wrong.

2. The Furnace Ignition System Isn’t Working

Your furnace follows a certain sequence when it starts heating your home.

  1. Your thermostat notices the temperature has dropped and tells your furnace to turn on.
  2. The draft inducer fan turns on to bring in fresh air for combustion.
  3. The gas valve unlocks for the burners, which are lit electronically.
  4. The flame sensor signals to your furnace the burners have been lit.

If something is off during the sequence, your furnace will shut down as a preventive measure.

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 keep 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 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 buildup.
  • Old thermostat. If your thermostat isn’t working correctly, your furnace won’t be able to operate.
  • Dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can limit airflow and force your furnace to shut off to prevent overheating. Make sure to replace yours every 30 to 90 days, or whenever 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. My Furnace Is Blowing Cold Air

In many cases, this problem is tied to an incorrect thermostat setting or a dirty air filter that’s limiting airflow. Follow the steps above to resolve the problem.

4. My Furnace Can’t Stop Running

If it’s very cold outside or you like your home to be warm, your furnace may be working 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 going 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, forcing your furnace to run constantly to make up for the air loss.

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

Premium Air Services LLC Can Solve Your Furnace Problems as Soon as Possible

Furnace problems can be an expensive headache, but not when you work with Premium Air Services LLC. We’ve been providing the quality, affordable furnace repair Tomball homeowners have relied on since year. Call us at 713-364-9957 to receive your free estimate today.