If you are ever curious about the most common furnace repairs in residential HVAC, ask your local HVAC contractor. There isn’t much by way of national statistics for the simple fact that repairs vary from one region to the next. For example, homes in the northeast are more prone to furnace problems while their counterparts in the southeast are more likely to need AC repair.
Sticking strictly with furnaces, here are some common repairs complements of Comfort Solutions in West Haven and Sandy, Utah:
1. Air Filter Replacement
Although changing out a dirty filter isn’t strictly a repair, it’s mentioned first because dirty in clogged filters are the leading cause of so many furnace problems. Comfort Solutions says a dirty or clogged filter restricts airflow. In so doing, it also:
- Leads to uneven heating.
- Creates longer heating cycles.
- Reduces furnace efficiency.
- Forces a furnace to work harder.
If you have ever wondered why HVAC technicians are so adamant about replacing filters every 30-60 days, you now have your answer. Regularly changing the filter is one of the simplest and most effective ways to get the most out of a furnace.
2. Thermostat Repairs
First on the list of actual repairs are thermostat repairs. Modern thermostats are pretty reliable. But they can malfunction from time to time. A malfunctioning thermostat can cause a furnace to run constantly. It can also lead to repeatedly cycling on and off or failing to turn on at all.
A thermostat problem could be as minor as a loose wire that just needs reattachment. Or the problem could be more serious. You could be looking at a failing sensor or a problem with your thermostat’s calibration. The worst scenario is complete failure.
3. Ignition Repairs
Gas and oil furnaces have embedded ignition systems designed to ignite fuel at the start of the heating cycle. An ignition system is assisted by a pilot light, a minimal flame that continually burns even when the furnace isn’t generating heat.
Homeowners sometimes have problems getting a pilot light going after a summer of inactivity. Likewise, a pilot light might continue to burn but still fail to do its job because of a bad ignition switch.
4. Poor Airflow
One of the most confusing furnace problems for homeowners is poor airflow. Not to worry. Experienced HVAC technicians know what to look for. Cold spots and reduced efficiency due to poor airflow is almost always caused by one of three things:
- Blocked vents
- Closed registers
- Leaky ductwork
Finding the root cause of poor airflow is usually the hardest part of the repair. Once the cause is found, remedial action tends to be pretty straightforward.
5. Short Cycling
Short cycling is another common repair problem HVAC technicians have to deal with. A short cycling furnace frequently turns on and off. It may or may not actually keep the entire house warm.
Short cycling could be the result of an airflow obstruction, like the previously mentioned blocked vents or closed registers. But it could also be due to a faulty thermostat or even a furnace that is too large for the space it’s intended to heat.
There are certainly many more repair issues an HVAC technician could see in his lifetime. Especially today, when modern furnaces and AC units involve so many electronics, there is no shortage of things that can go wrong.
Remember that next time you need to call in your local HVAC contractor. He needs to know an awful lot to keep your furnace running at optimal performance. You are fortunate he is on the job.
