Your furnace is a key part of your home. Without one, you wouldn’t be able to stay warm during the winter. Yet furnaces can have some problems that are more typical than others.
Let’s review these issues and about what they might cost to fix so you know before you contact an HVAC technician. Some of the most common furnace repair problems include:
- Furnace won’t turn on
- Furnace doesn’t stay lit
- Furnace won’t blow hot air
- Furnace won’t turn off
1. Furnace Won’t Turn On
There are a couple of reasons why your furnace won’t turn on, so make sure to go through all of them.
- Is your thermostat set correctly? Make sure it’s on “heat,” “auto” and that your desired temperature is greater than the room’s current temperature. If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure it has fresh batteries.
- Is the circuit breaker tripped? Your furnace can’t operate if it doesn’t have power. Reset the switch if it’s facing the outside of the electrical panel.
- Is the furnace switch off? Your furnace has a power switch located on or close to it. Since this switch looks like a light switch, it’s easy to unintentionally turn it off. If it was off, it might take your furnace a few minutes to start.
- Is the air filter clean? A dirty air filter can cause a lot of problems for your furnace. Get a new one if you can’t see light through it.
Estimated Repair Cost
This issue can be complex, so the estimated cost to repair it varies according to what’s wrong.
2. Furnace Won’t Stay Lit
Your furnace uses a certain sequence when it starts heating your home.
- Your thermostat notices the temperature has dropped and tells your furnace to turn on.
- The draft inducer fan activates to pull in fresh air for combustion.
- The gas valve unlocks for the burners, which are ignited electronically.
- The flame sensor tells your furnace the burners have been lit.
If something is wrong during the sequence, your furnace will shut off as a preventive measure.
A couple of possible causes for this problem include:
- Dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor. If the sensor doesn’t detect a flame, it will shut off your furnace to keep natural gas from spilling into your home. The ignition process corrodes flame sensors over time. While cleaning during annual furnace maintenance can help, yours may ultimately need to be taken out and changed.
- Bad limit switch. This safety feature will shut off your furnace if it detects backdrafting. Backdrafting is hazardous, since carbon monoxide and natural gas can leak into your home. These switches can malfunction due to age, damage or dust buildup.
- Old thermostat. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, your furnace won’t be able to operate.
- Dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can restrict airflow and cause your furnace to shut down to prevent overheating. Make sure to replace yours every 30 to 90 days, or whenever you can’t see light through it.
Estimated Repair Cost
These costs are estimates, so it’s important to note yours may vary based on your furnace’s brand and model.
- Flame sensor: $350–$500
- Limit switch: $150–$300
- Thermostat: $150–$350
- Furnace filter: $10-$30
3. Furnace Won’t Blow Hot Air
In many instances, this problem is linked to a wrong thermostat setting or a dusty air filter that’s limiting airflow. Follow the steps above to resolve the problem.
4. Furnace Won’t Turn Off
If it’s extremely cold outside or you like your home to be warm, your furnace may be working for a long time.
If this isn’t what's happening, ensure your thermostat is set correctly and running properly. If your fan setting is at “on,” the blower motor will be going even when the furnace isn’t, so it’ll sound like your furnace is on all the time.
Alternatively, there might be a problem with the blower motor or your ductwork may be losing air, forcing your furnace to run constantly to make up for the air loss.
Estimated Repair Cost
These costs are estimates, so it’s necessary to note yours may vary based on your furnace’s brand and model.
- New blower motor: $250–$800
- Seal ductwork: varies based on square footage
Tokay Heating and Air Conditioning Can Solve Your Furnace Problems Quickly and Affordably
Furnace problems can be an expensive headache, but not when you work with Tokay Heating and Air Conditioning. We’ve been delivering the quality, affordable furnace repair Lodi homeowners have trusted since 1989. Contact us at 209-257-3156 to receive your free estimate today.