Do you have an unreliable furnace? Contact Leith Heating & Cooling for unbeatable heating repair services in Deer Park, Illinois.
Does your furnace quit working fairly regularly, and are youn’t sure why? At Leith Heating & Cooling, we help many homeowners overcome furnace issues with professional heating services in Deer Park, IL. Learn some of the most common reasons why your heater would stop working and what you can do to enjoy reliable heating all winter long.
What to Do if Your Furnace Fails
Deer Park receives some of the country’s coldest temperatures during the winter months. When your furnace suddenly fails to produce heat, you must contend with the freezing temperatures and find a fast solution. Thankfully, there are a few different ways you can troubleshoot a faulty furnace.
Try the following measures if your home is without heat:
- Check the thermostat: It’s possible that your thermostat settings are wrong, and comforting heat is only a push of a button away. Adjust the settings and replace the batteries if necessary.
- Open heating vents: Aside from clogged air filters, a lack of airflow could be due to closed or blocked vents. Make sure they’re open and remove furniture or other large objects blocking them.
- Change your air filter: Home heating systems can shut down if you neglect to change the air filter. As dirt and allergens collect inside the filter, they restrict airflow, which can lead to serious mechanical malfunctions.
- Inspect the circuit breaker: If your furnace quit working, it could be due to a power overload that tripped the circuit breaker. Check the breaker box and see if the switch powering the furnace is off, then try running your heat with it back on.
If none of these measures restore your heating, you’re likely dealing with a larger issue requiring repair. Contact an HVAC contractor serving Deer Park for assistance.
The Three Biggest Reasons Why Furnaces Fail in Deer Park
Faulty electrical wiring, incorrect thermostats, or clogged air filters can create problems for your heating system. However, many furnaces break down due to more extensive issues. Check out the three biggest causes of a malfunctioning furnace below.
1. Ignition Problems
Ask an expert, “Why would my gas furnace quit working?” and they’ll tell you it could be due to an ignition problem. Gas furnaces burn a flame known as a pilot light, which kickstarts the heating process. This flame should burn bright blue and never falter during the heating cycle.
You might be dealing with a pilot light issue if you notice the following:
- A clicking noise when turning on the furnace
- A yellow pilot light
- Frequent, short heating cycles
A licensed technician can diagnose the underlying problem. Your furnace’s pilot light might not ignite due to insufficient gas flow, dirty flame sensors, or a malfunctioning thermocouple.
2. Broken Components
Furnaces rely on many moving parts to produce and distribute heat throughout your home. If any of these pieces malfunction, it can cause the entire system to shut down. Contractors often have to repair the following heating parts:
- Blower wheels: Furnace blower wheels can shut down because of physical damage or even heavy debris buildup, making it difficult for rooms to receive proper airflow.
- Fan motors: Heat from the furnace travels through your duct system thanks to a fan motor. Without it working properly, your home won’t reach your desired temperature.
- Heat exchanger coils: The coils in a heat exchanger system can crack or fail to transfer heat if they don’t have the proper insulation.
You might also hear clanging, grinding, or rumbling noises because of loose components like screws.
3. Old Age
If your furnace quit working despite never having any mechanical issues before, it could simply be at the end of its lifespan. A professional technician can confirm if you’ll need a furnace replacement, though some telltale signs include:
- Higher energy bills
- Longer heating cycles
- The unit is at least 15 years old
Repairing older furnaces can become expensive and may only offer temporary relief. A smarter investment in this case would be to replace the furnace with a new, energy-efficient model.
The Importance of Furnace Maintenance
One of the best things you can do to enjoy reliable heating in Deer Park is perform routine furnace maintenance. Experts recommend scheduling a furnace tune-up service once a year, ideally before the start of the heating season. Technicians will inspect the system for damage, clean dirty components, and test the heater’s function to guarantee everything is in order.
Since so many furnaces quit working because of preventable issues, scheduling yearly tune-ups protects your system in the long run. The following tasks on a furnace maintenance checklist directly impact whether your unit will shut down unexpectedly:
- Cleaning dirty flame sensors: This prevents short cycling and ignition problems.
- Inspecting gas and electrical connections: Your furnace might not turn on because of issues with its power source, though maintenance professionals rule out these problems during a tune-up service.
- Checking for damaged components: Experts will perform repairs before the heating season begins to avoid problems like broken blower wheels or cracked heat exchangers.
- Replacing air filters: While you should do this on a regular basis, HVAC technicians never overlook a furnace’s air filter during a maintenance appointment.
Keeping a regular maintenance schedule every year also helps extend your furnace’s lifespan. It’s possible that you can delay furnace replacement services in Deer Park by a few years when you prioritize yearly tune-up services.
Stay Comfortable in Deer Park with Trusted HVAC Services
The extreme temperature fluctuations in Deer Park, Illinois, highlight the need for a reliable HVAC system. Figuring out why your furnace quit working and taking steps to improve it, like regularly changing furnace filters, will help you combat the region’s frigid winters.
Let Leith Heating & Cooling preserve your furnace’s function with affordable repair and maintenance services. Contact us today to speak with a specialist and book an appointment.