We expect our furnaces to get warm and keep us comfortable during the cold winter months. However, a furnace overheating can quickly become problematic, requiring professional assistance. Detecting that your furnace is overheating can prevent it from breaking or burning out.
Fortunately, Leith Heating & Cooling is here to advise you of three important signs that indicate your furnace is overheating.
At Leith Heating & Cooling, Elgin’s furnace repair experts, we offer excellent heating and cooling services to the Kane County and Cook County areas. Our staff goes above and beyond to provide your home with year round comfort through appliance repairs, installation, maintenance, and more. Call us at 847-648-9977 or book services online if you need furnace repairs or suspect your unit is overheating.
1. Loud Noises
Furnaces do not often make loud or strange noises while in use, and signs of these should make you suspicious. A low humming sound is normal while the furnace is running, but louder buzzing suggests electrical problems. Banging or clanging might stem from inside components working too hard or getting too hot.
Regardless, any time you hear unusual noises coming from the furnace, contact your knowledgeable HVAC company for professional assistance. Professional technicians can figure it out if your system is overheating or if another issue is causing the commotion. They can provide a smart solution to your heating problems and get your unit back to excellent condition in no time.
2. On and Off Cycling
Furnaces will frequently cycle on and off as a preventative measure if it begins to overheat. Your furnace might struggle to reach your preferred temperature, but get too hot and shut down as a safety mechanism.
You would notice signs of this if your home is not getting as warm as you would like. If your blower motor is covered in a layer of dust and dirt, it can struggle with ventilation and reach high temperatures, leading to overheating. Keeping all furnace components clean can prevent on and off cycling.
3. Unexpected Odors
When a furnace is overheating, it can cause the wires inside to burn and emit a smell. Internal furnace components can suffer from high temperatures, and you might need electrical and furnace assistance from professionals to deal with the effects. These odors are different from the smell of rotten eggs, which indicate a carbon monoxide leak and can be very dangerous.
If you notice any unusual smells coming from your furnace, it’s always a smart idea to contact your local Elgin HVAC experts. Don’t delay because furnace overheating can lead to dangerous fires. Addressing the problem immediately is your best course of action.
Common Reasons Why Furnaces Overheat
Several things can cause a furnace to overheat, but it is usually one of these five most common reasons. An overheating furnace can permanently damage your furnace and cause you to have to replace it sooner than its natural expected lifetime. Once you know why your furnace can overheat, you can use that to prevent it from happening to you.
1. Short Cycling
A furnace shutting on and off will struggle to properly heat your home. When it does not achieve its intended temperature, it will turn back on to try and heat your space again. This repetitive on and off cycle does a number on your blower motor and internal components and can cause overheating from the stress.
2. Blocked Airflow
Large amounts of dirt and debris can restrict a furnace’s airflow, and blocked filters, blower wheels, and other aspects can hinder the exchange. When you do not clean your furnace or its internal parts, they can heat up and the hot air can stay trapped inside. Overheating and dust, dirt, and debris burning will occur if you don’t keep airways clear.
3. Blocked Inlet
Your furnace’s return inlet takes air in from the room it is in and warms it before sending it back out. Furniture or falling objects can block this vent from taking in air and lead to overheating. Check your furnace’s location and make sure nothing is hindering the return inlet from doing its job.
4. Dying Furnace
All furnaces reach the end of their lifespan at some point and begin to show signs of slowing down. Worn parts inside the furnace can cause the unit to struggle when operating. Constant straining and wear can lead to a furnace overheating and your home not warming up.
Dealing With an Overheating Furnace
Now that you know common furnace overheating warning signs, you might wonder what you can do about it. First, when was the last time you changed your furnace filter? If you can’t remember or notice it is extremely dirty, it is time to change it out for a new one. See if this has any effect on your furnace’s performance.
You should also look at how much airflow your furnace has by clearing out the area around it and noting if your return and intake vents have any obstructions. Cleaning out these spots and removing blockages might be the solutions you need. After trying the previous tips without improvement, contact your experienced HVAC professional to inspect your furnace.
Give Us a Call for Furnace Services in Elgin, IL
At Leith Heating & Cooling, we’re passionate about helping you stay warm in the winter and saving you money. Not only will we improve the comfort of your home, but we also will increase your furnace’s energy efficiency and safety. Our professional HVAC services are affordable, and we always perform them in a timely manner for the best results.
As a team skilled in all areas of heating and cooling, we love delivering stellar customer service and furnace services in Elgin, IL and the nearby areas. Customers have learned to trust us when their units stop working, age out, or if they are dealing with frustrating furnace ignition failure.
Are you concerned about your furnace overheating? Call us at Leith Heating & Cooling at 847-648-9977 for trusted heating services in Elgin, IL.
