Several heating issues may arise as the weather becomes cold in Fort Mill, SC. Maintaining your home’s furnace is key to avoiding expensive repairs and ensuring smooth, efficient operation. Routine inspections allow you to catch and address issues early, extending your furnace’s lifespan while creating an optimal home environment.
Dirty Air Filters
Dirty air filters are a very common furnace problem. A clogged filter reduces airflow, increasing the furnace’s workload and energy consumption. A clean filter will keep your furnace running efficiently and cut energy costs. Most experts recommend filter changes every 30 to 90 days, but you may need to change your filter more often if you have allergies or asthma. Homes with pets typically benefit from more frequent filter changes as well.
Faulty Thermostat
A defective thermostat can cause temperatures to vary in your home, hindering your furnace’s performance. It’s important to periodically calibrate and inspect the thermostat to ensure it has accurate readings and communicates with the furnace appropriately. This will help keep your home at a comfortable temperature and reduce the chances of the furnace malfunctioning.
Electrical Failures
Malfunctions in a furnace’s electrical system can cause it to stop working altogether. Electrical failure may mean problems with the circuit board or a blown fuse. Routine maintenance allows someone from our team to inspect the unit and replace damaged or worn-out parts, preventing complete system failure.
Dirty Coils
A house relies on heat exchange from the furnace to stay warm. It’s harder for your furnace to maintain the exchange when the coils are dirty. In fact, dirty coils put more stress on your furnace and consume more energy. Periodically cleaning the coils will help keep your furnace running efficiently and reduce energy use and costs. This is a regular aspect of furnace maintenance that, if ignored, will cause breakdowns requiring a visit from a furnace repair service.
Short Cycling
Short cycling takes place when the furnace continually goes on and off, hindering the system’s ability to complete a normal cycle. This causes unnecessary strain on the furnace and puts it at a higher risk of overheating. It also increases the likelihood of system failure and higher energy consumption. During maintenance, an expert will identify potential issues with short cycling, such as a malfunctioning thermostat, and apply the appropriate fix.
Dirty Ductwork
Dirty ducts are a result of dust, dirt, and debris building up and restricting airflow. If air can’t travel through the system, then the furnace must work harder to do its job. This increases the chances of malfunction by putting extra stress on the system and using more energy. Keeping the ductwork clean with regular maintenance improves performance and reduces strain on the furnace.
Broken Blower Fan
The blower fan circulates hot air around your home. Problems with heat distribution might leave you feeling chilly if the fan doesn’t work correctly. During routine maintenance, we will check that the blower fan is clean and functioning properly.
Pilot Light Issues
A faulty pilot light can result in the furnace shutting down completely. Some of the most common reasons that pilot lights experience problems include a dirty thermocouple, insufficient gas supply, drafts, or airflow disruptions. Checking the pilot light and cleaning the thermocouple is part of routine heating maintenance that keeps the pilot light working as it should.
Noisy Operation
A noisy furnace can indicate several underlying problems with the system. Detecting the cause of the noise and taking the steps to fix it, such as tightening loose components or lubricating the moving parts, is the best way to keep your furnace functioning quietly and correctly. A professional can often address these mechanical issues and fix them during routine maintenance.
Malfunctioning Zone Systems
Zone systems make it possible to independently heat or cool different parts of the house. Malfunctions may result in inconsistent temperatures throughout your home and increased energy costs. A professional will adjust and calibrate during maintenance to ensure each zone in the zone-based heating system operates as it should.
Corroded Heat Exchanger
The furnace’s heat exchanger is an essential part that helps in producing heat. Corrosion may cause it to break and release carbon monoxide or waste heat. Regular maintenance includes checking the heat exchanger and replacing it if necessary. Preventing corrosion keeps your house safe and reduces wear on your system.
Now that you know the different problems your furnace might face during colder weather, it’s time to schedule maintenance. Here at Arce Heating & AC, we also specialize in AC maintenance, ductless AC, heat pump installations, duct cleaning, thermostat repairs, and more.
Call us now to schedule furnace maintenance for your home in Fort Mill.
