Your furnace is an integral part of your home. Without one, you wouldn’t be able to stay warm during the winter. Yet furnaces can have some issues that are more typical than others.

Let’s review these issues and discuss what they might cost to correct so you know before you contact an HVAC technician. Some of the most common furnace repair problems involve:

  • Furnace won’t turn on
  • Furnace doesn’t stay lit
  • Furnace won’t blow hot air
  • Furnace won’t turn off

1. The Furnace Can’t Start

There are a few 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 set to “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 found on or close to it. Since this switch resembles a light switch, it’s easy to accidentally turn it off. If it was off, it might take your furnace a few minutes to turn on.
  • 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 complicated, so the estimated cost to repair it depends on what’s wrong.

2. The Furnace Isn’t Staying Lit

Your furnace uses a specific sequence when it begins heating your home.

  1. Your thermostat notices the temperature has fallen and tells your furnace to turn on.
  2. The draft inducer fan activates to pull in fresh air for combustion.
  3. The gas valve opens for the burners, which are ignited electronically.
  4. The flame sensor tells your furnace the burners have been lit.

If something is off during the sequence, your furnace will shut down as a preventive measure.

A couple of potential 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 prevent 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 eventually need to be replaced.
  • Bad limit switch. This safety feature will shut off your furnace if it detects backdrafting. Backdrafting is hazardous, because carbon monoxide and natural gas can leak into your home. These switches can fail due to age, damage or dust accumulation.
  • Old thermostat. If your thermostat isn’t working correctly, your furnace won’t be able to run.
  • Dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can restrict airflow and force your furnace to shut down to avoid overheating. Make sure to change yours every 30 to 90 days, or anytime you can’t see light through it.

Estimated Repair Cost

These costs are estimates, so it’s important to note yours may fluctuate based on your furnace’s brand and model.

  • Flame sensor: $350–$500
  • Limit switch: $150–$300
  • Thermostat: $150–$350
  • Furnace filter: $10-$30

3. My Furnace Is Blowing Cold Air

In many cases, this problem is linked to a wrong thermostat setting or a dirty air filter that’s restricting airflow. Follow the steps above to fix the issue.

4. The Furnace Won’t Turn Off

If it’s very chilly outside or you like your home to be toasty, your furnace may be running for a long time.

If this isn’t what’s happening, make sure your thermostat is set correctly and working properly. If your fan setting is at “on,” the blower motor will be going even when the furnace isn’t, so it’ll seem like your furnace is running all the time.

Alternatively, there might be a problem with the blower motor or your ductwork may be leaking air, making your furnace run continuously to make up for the air loss.

Estimated Repair Cost

These costs are approximations, 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 house size

Childress Heating & AC Can Get to the Bottom of Your Furnace Problems as Soon as Possible

Furnace issues can be an expensive headache, but not when you call Childress Heating & AC. We’ve been delivering the quality, affordable furnace repair Fredericksburg homeowners have trusted since year. Call us at 540-675-4306 to receive your free estimate today.