The southern states may be warming up around now, but up here it’s definitely still heating season. That makes it especially frustrating for homeowners who turn on their furnaces to find that they’re not heating as well as they should be. If your furnace is not heating your home well, it could be for a number of different reasons. While you’re waiting for a technician to arrive and check out your system, consider whether one of the following issues might be the culprit.
Clogged Air Filter
One of the simplest problems to resolve, clogged air filters are surprisingly common for furnaces throughout the country. That’s because many homeowners aren’t even aware that their furnaces have air filters, much less that they need to replace them on a regular basis. An air filter that is not replaced often enough will become clogged to the point that it will block most of the air from entering the furnace. This will cut into the system’s heating ability significantly. You might want to check your air filter if your furnace isn’t heating properly, and replace it if necessary. You can also have a professional replace it for you if you don’t know how.
Ignition Issues
If your gas furnace isn’t turning on at all, it might be because it’s having trouble igniting. Whether your system is using a standing pilot light or a more advanced form of ignition device, you should know that they have a tendency to fail for a number of reasons. If there is no ignition device, there is no way for the furnace to begin combusting fuel to generate heat.
Short Cycling
One of the more dangerous issues to afflict furnaces, short cycling is what happens when the system turns on and off without completing a full heating cycle. This prevents the furnace from heating the home properly, but it also increases the rate at which the system wears down. The longer the furnace is allowed to short cycle, the more likely it will be to develop issues of various kinds. Short cycling over a long period of time can also shorten the lifespan of the furnace by a number of years. Make sure you call for repairs as soon as you notice your furnace doing this.
Air Handler Malfunction
Finally, it’s possible that your air handler is malfunctioning. The air handler is the part of the furnace that actually blows air throughout the home during operation. While the handler is designed to cope with the stress of moving that much air around, it can eventually succumb to the stress and malfunction. If the air handler isn’t working properly, the furnace won’t have a way to distribute warm air throughout the ducts. If your furnace doesn’t seem to be blowing any air, even when it’s on, then it might be because you have a problem with your air handler.
Sunset Air offers comprehensive furnace repair and maintenance services in Tacoma, WA. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professional heating technicians.
