6 Common Furnace Problems And Parts That Go Bad

Chances are that you won’t notice that a furnace isn’t working properly until it’s already gone bad. All of a sudden you’ll try to adjust the temperature only to find that you get no response from the system. Rather than wait for that to happen, there are a few points of failure you might want to keep an eye on.

Granted, you could also use this list as a troubleshooting guide if you’ve already run into some real difficulties. We asked the experts at the Furnace Part Source what parts they usually see go bad first.

Common Furnace Problems Requiring Regular Maintenance

1. Dirty Filters

Perhaps the single most common problem is a blocked air filter. This is an easy fix, considering that replacement air filters are readily available. That being said, some homeowners might be unaware of the fact that they have to periodically change these consumable goods.

2. Slipped Blower Belts

Belt drives will eventually fray, which can often cause the blower system to fail relatively suddenly. Sometimes, systems with a slipped or frayed belt will operate somewhat but make an unusual noise in the process. Replacing frayed belts, or adjusting loose ones that are still in good shape, should restore the blower to normal working order.

3. Faulty Ignition Components

Failing ignition parts or a pilot system can prevent a furnace from actually creating a fire. The same goes for a clogged burner, which may have to be cleaned out before the system can actually move enough fuel and air to get any measurable level of combustion. Igniters that have gone bad will need to be replaced. In order to do this kind of work, the entire HVAC system would have to be put into a safe state to prevent further damage.

4. Stuck Limit Switch

The limit switch controls when the blower turns on and off. If this switch goes bad, then the blower might simply run continuously. This is a serious problem that needs to be corrected as soon as possible because running the blower motor nonstop is a great way to cause it to burn out. Frequent cycling of the unit is common as well, but this can be caused by far simpler issues. You’ll want to check the filters and see that the system gets enough airflow before you start to assume things have taken a turn for the worst.

5. Thermostat Breakdown

If the furnace itself seems to be in good working order, there’s a good possibility that the thermostat itself has reached the end of its useful life. Fortunately, replacement thermostats will usually just install in place of the existing one. Before you do that, though, you should double check to see if you have it programmed correctly. Scheduling mistakes are a big cause of unintended HVAC behaviors.

6. Sensor Failure

Like thermostats, the sensors themselves might eventually go bad. When that happens, your furnace might not know what temperature it is and therefore never switch on. Replacing these would help to alleviate this problem.

Check The Thermostat With Help From Furnace Part Source

Are you worried about your clients’ heating and cooling systems suffering wear and tear? Furnace Part Source can provide the components needed to maintain an electric or gas furnace as well as air conditioning.

For more information about these and other common HVAC maladies, make sure to contact our team online. Furnace Part Source will answer all your questions about how to get a furnace repaired in due time.