Unusual noises coming from your furnace could be a telltale sign of mechanical trouble. Banging, rattling or squealing noises could signal that the belt connecting motor to fan has come loose or that something else has gone awry with its connection.
When hearing suspicious noises coming from your heater, it’s wise to seek professional assistance as ignoring these can result in long-term damage. Read on to understand some of the most common heater issues and how you can address them.
1. Thermostat Issues
Your thermostat is an integral component of your furnace that communicates with its heating system and helps determine when and how warm to make the house. When something goes amiss with it, you may be tempted to call the pros at Big Texas Comfort or start searching tutorials online. However, to resolve this problem, it may be as simple as swapping out batteries in the thermostat as well as making sure it’s unlocked, but otherwise consult a professional repairman for assistance.
Your heater could also experience temperature sensor issues, leading to an inoperable pilot light. This sensor is responsible for making sure the gas valve remains open, so when it becomes dirty it won’t detect flame and your pilot light won’t illuminate – leading to no heating for your furnace! To combat this problem, remove it from the heater and clean with sandpaper before installing back in.
2. Blower Motor Issues
Over time, your furnace’s blower motor may experience wear and tear from daily operation, however this shouldn’t be surprising considering it works hard to circulate warm air throughout your home. Older blowers may become less efficient or even break completely; thankfully there are several straightforward troubleshooting steps you can take in order to address these problems before they escalate further.
Over time, your blower motor’s internal lubrication can deteriorate, leading to dust and dirt build-up that causes overheating – when this happens, the blower shuts off abruptly with a burning smell coming from it. To prevent this from occurring, make sure your filter doesn’t become clogged up and perform regular maintenance on your HVAC system, including regularly replacing air filters.
Your blower motor should also have the proper voltage and be free from loose or broken wires. A malfunctioning fan limit control switch could also keep running the blower, though this usually requires professional intervention to replace or reset – a job well suited for Big Texas Comfort, who you can contact or visit at the following:
Big Texas Comfort
2437 Bay Area Blvd STE 38, Houston TX, 77058
832-888-5166
https://www.bigtexascomfort.com
3. Capacitor Issues
Furnace capacitors are important parts of any home heating system – according to this site – acting like batteries that store energy to power your blower motor and distribute warm air throughout your ductwork. Unfortunately, as with any component in a furnace, capacitors may wear down over time and stop functioning effectively; this could cause issues with your blower motor or even cause the entire heating system to stop functioning altogether.
Faulty capacitors can be difficult to identify. But you may notice some indirect signs that your capacitor is malfunctioning; for instance, if your blower motor suddenly becomes louder than usual or becomes hotter, this could be indicative of its inability to get enough electricity from the capacitor to function as expected and spin properly.
Your capacitor may also be malfunctioning if you hear an unusual clicking sound when trying to start your fan. This usually indicates it has reached the end of its lifespan and is overburdening your motor by trying too quickly to turn on.
Your blower motor might start up, only to stop turning suddenly – this could be an indication that there is something physically blocking its rotation; such as dirt accumulation or an obstruction in its squirrel cage full of debris. A residential heating repair specialist can help identify what exactly is causing problems with your blower motor.
4. Ignition Issues
If your heater won’t light, the problem likely lies with either its pilot light or ignition sensor. Both issues are simple to rectify by switching off power to your heater and opening its burner door; once unplugged you can use a screwdriver to dislodge screws that hold down sensors so they can be cleaned using fine grit sandpaper or paper towel before replacing and turning back on power to your furnace.
If the sensor and gas valve have been properly set, but your furnace still won’t ignite, it could be indicative of a larger issue that needs addressing(https://beezzly.com/what-to-do-if-the-pilot-light-is-lit-but-the-furnace-wont-kick-on). Modern furnaces typically use a standing pilot flame that keeps the ignitor warm; older furnaces may require a pilot light that may extinguish due to drafts or ground movement; if that is the case with your furnace then follow your owner’s manual’s directions in order to relight it.
Furnaces are essential elements in every Illinois home, yet can be complex to repair or maintain. If your furnace is experiencing issues, acting quickly to avoid further damage or costly replacement is vital – for both safety and investment purposes! Contacting a professional as soon as possible is always the best course of action.
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