10 Common Furnace Problems

What is wrong with your furnace?

If your furnace is experiencing issues, Design Aire is here to help with expert furnace repair and maintenance services in St. Louis and St. Charles. Common furnace problems include frequent cycling, reduced airflow, and thermostat malfunctions. Other common issues are pilot light failures, faulty blower motors, and furnaces that don’t heat effectively. Problems like a cracked heat exchanger or a malfunctioning flame sensor can lead to serious concerns such as carbon monoxide leaks. Additionally, dirty filters and dirty air filters can cause uneven heating and reduce air quality. Whether you have a gas furnace, older furnace, or need a new furnace installation, our team is equipped to handle all your heating system needs, including heater repair, heating repair, and HVAC repair.

Here are 10 of the most common heating issues we diagnose and fix at Design Aire:

10. Frequent cycling.

If you notice that your furnace turns on and off in one or two-minute cycles, this is called “short cycling.” The furnace is shutting off as a safety feature and there could be a few possible problems such as issues with the thermostat, a clogged filter, or airflow problems, or something else, so it is important to call a professional to evaluate what is going wrong. Design Aire can help! Contact us!

 9. Reduced airflow

Your furnace might be working well, but if you have noticed the airflow isn’t the same as it used to be, there could be a problem with the system. One possible solution is replacing a dirty air filter. Filters naturally become dirty and clogged with use, which reduces airflow. An air filter that fails to work properly can make your furnace work harder in order to do its job, and can eventually lead to much more expensive problems.

8. Thermostat malfunction

If your fan is not blowing properly or if your furnace shuts off before it should, it could be a problem with the thermostat. Thermostat issues are relatively common. Not only can we diagnose this quickly, but Design Aire can fix your thermostat issues quickly and efficiently.

7. Pilot light fails to stay on

Many newer systems use an electric ignition while older ones might rely on a pilot light to stay in operational condition. If either of these fails, your furnace will fail to work like normal. The sensors might be dirty or there could be a clog, and only a technician will be able to identify the exact problem in order to make the necessary fixes.

6. Faulty blower motor

Your furnace blower circulates the air through your system. The blower motor can become dirty or lose power, and when it does, your furnace switches itself off. Our heating experts at Design Aire can identify blower motor problems and get your system up and running again.

5. The furnace isn’t heating your house

If your furnace isn’t heating your house well enough or if it won’t work at all, there can be a number of causes. Our heating repair team can identify if the problem is due to a clogged filter, age or lack of maintenance, the unit’s capacity, the thermostat, the power, the pilot light, the gas, the condensate pan, or something else — and we will solve the problem.

4. The furnace is making noises

Rattling, rumbling, or squeaking noises are not part of your furnace function. These loud noises can mean that your system has a mechanical problem, that airflow is reduced, or that you have a clogged burner. Call us for furnace repair as soon as you hear these noises so that they don’t turn into a more costly problem. Our furnace repair technicians will get to the bottom of the problem quickly.

3. The blower won’t stop running

If your blower is continuously running even when the heater has reached the desired temperature, your limit switch might have a problem and need to be replaced. A technician with the right parts for your model of furnace can both diagnose this problem and repair it in no time at all.

2. The furnace has a bad smell

If it has been several months since you started your heater and, upon the first usage, you notice a bad smell, you might have some maintenance issues that can be remedied fairly quickly. If you notice a mold smell, you might have ductwork problems or a poorly draining system that has mold buildup. If you experience an unpleasant burning smell, turn your system off immediately and contact a technician to diagnose and repair your heater. Don’t let these problems linger as they could signal larger issues that can be expensive to fix down the road!

1. Lack of regular maintenance

Seasonal inspections by your HVAC company are important for keeping your heating and cooling systems running safely and efficiently. Our HVAC experts can check your entire system to avoid problems that can cause costly breakdowns. Over time, you’ll likely save money by extending the life of your HVAC system with a furnace service.

Need Furnace Repair? St. Louis & St. Charles, MO Trusts Design Aire

Let Design Aire do what we do best. Improper furnace repairs can pose gas- or combustion-related safety hazards, so leave your troubleshooting to our trained and expert team of furnace repair specialists. For over 100 years, we have established a proven record of honesty, integrity, and excellence.