Common Reasons Why Your Furnace Has Broken Down
Your furnace is likely something you don’t really think about—until it's broken. Once the annoyance and stress hit, it can also be frustrating not to understand what went wrong. At Aire Serv of Dallas, we believe it’s important to educate our customers about their HVAC systems so that you can not only take excellent care of your system and prevent future breakdowns but also be a smarter homeowner overall.
Read on to learn a few typical Dallas furnace repair problems and their possible causes.
The Furnace Won’t Turn On
There can be many reasons why your furnace won’t turn on. Some of the possible causes of a furnace that won’t turn on include:
- The circuit breaker is off. You may not have an electric furnace, but even if it runs on gas or propane, there are still parts of your furnace that use electricity. The first step in troubleshooting a furnace that won’t turn on is to ensure all the HVAC switches on your circuit breaker panel are turned on.
- The thermostat is faulty. You’ll also want to check your thermostat if your furnace won’t turn on. It may be that the thermostat is broken or needs to be reset. To check your thermostat, set it to heat and then increase the temperature to 10 degrees hotter than usual. This should make the system kick in. If it doesn’t, then your thermostat may need repairing.
- The air filter is dirty. Over time, your thermostat collects dust and allergens from the air. If you’ve not changed the air filter in your furnace in a while, it may have become very clogged. In some furnaces, a severely clogged air filter will trigger a safety feature that will prevent the furnace from turning on.
- The pilot light has gone out. The pilot light is key to a properly functioning furnace. If it has gone out, then the furnace won’t turn on—this is also a safety feature. Without a pilot light, if the furnace stayed on, it would pump dangerous gas into your home.
- There is a lack of natural gas or oil supply. Similar to how your car needs gas to run, so does your furnace. If you have a natural gas or propane furnace that won’t turn on, it may not be receiving enough fuel. If the furnace runs on natural gas and you also have a natural gas stove, you can turn on the stove to see if the problem is with the gas supply or with the furnace alone. If neither is working, you should contact your energy company as soon as possible.
The Furnace Won’t Turn Off
If you’re having the opposite problem and your furnace won’t turn off, then it could be due to the following factors:
- The thermostat is faulty. Similar to how a malfunctioning thermostat could prevent your furnace from turning on, it can also stop it from turning off. Possibly, the wiring that communicates to your furnace has worn out, so the furnace doesn’t realize your home has reached the right temperature. Alternatively, your thermostat settings might be incorrect. For example, the thermostat may have been left on “on.” This will tell the furnace to run continuously. Switch your settings to “auto.” This will tell the furnace to turn off once your home is warmed.
- The air filter is dirty. A furnace with a dirty air filter may run continually if it doesn’t have the safety feature of shutting down due to a dirty filter. This is because the congested filter forces your furnace to work hard to heat your home. As the furnace is less efficient, it has to run longer to get your home to the set temperature.
- The ductwork is leaking. Your ductwork is what moves hot air through your house. If there is a break in the ductwork and the hot air leaks out, then your home will not be heated efficiently. To try and remedy your colder home, the furnace will keep running.
- The blower fan motor is broken. The blower fan forces hot air into the ductwork, where it moves through your home. If there is a problem with the blower fan motor, the furnace may fail to stop running. A malfunctioning blower fan motor is typically due to a broken fan limit switch. The fan limit switch is what triggers the motor to turn “off.”
The Pilot Light is Out
Generally, there are a couple of reasons why your furnace’s pilot light might go out.
- The thermocouple is malfunctioning. The thermocouple’s job is to deactivate the gas in your furnace when the pilot light turns off. If your furnace did not have a thermocouple, natural gas would leak into your home. If the thermocouple can’t detect the flame in your furnace—for instance, if it’s broken or covered in dust—it will shut off the natural gas supply and inhibit the pilot light.
- The pilot light has blown out. Like a candle, sometimes a breeze or draft in your home can blow out the pilot light. Even if you think this is why your pilot light has been extinguished, it’s still safer to call the Dallas repair professionals at Aire Serv to check. Our skillful technicians will be able to see if there is an underlying problem that caused the pilot light to go out. Our friendly and capable experts can be reached easily on the phone or online.
How to Determine If You Need a Furnace Repair Service in Dallas
Unsure whether it's time to consider Dallas furnace repair service for your home? Here are several telltale indicators that suggest your home could benefit from furnace repair in Dallas, TX:
- Heat Loss: If you're frequently adjusting the thermostat with no improvement in warmth, your furnace may need repair.
- Uneven Heating: Rooms with extreme temperature variations or inconsistencies require professional attention.
- Frequent Cycling: If your furnace continually cycles on and off rapidly, contact an HVAC expert.
- Yellow Burner Flames (for gas furnaces): A yellow flame indicates a dirty unit, necessitating maintenance or repair.
- Water Leaks: Water puddles near the heating unit signal a problem that needs inspection.
- Multiple Heating Repairs: Frequent repairs suggest your system may be reaching the end of its life, and replacement is more cost-effective.
- Age of Unit: A furnace around 15 years old experiencing ongoing issues may require repair or replacement.
- Rising Energy Bills: Consistently increasing heating bills may point to a failing heating system.
- Odd Noises: Strange noises, like banging or rattling, may indicate mechanical problems.
- Heat Exchanger Issues: Suspected gas leaks or heat exchanger malfunctions call for immediate replacement.
- Dust and Dry Air: Aging furnaces may struggle to filter or humidify air, impacting indoor air quality.
- Energy Efficient: New furnaces offer better energy efficiency, leading to savings in heating costs. Look for the Energy Star rating on units.
For expert guidance, have heating repair experts like Aire Serv inspect your unit to decide on repair or replacement.
Why Choose Us for Your Furnace Repair Service in Dallas?
At Aire Serv of Dallas, we always put our customers first. We truly care to ensure that our clients feel safe and comfortable in their homes—while also breathing clean and healthy air. We are committed to providing outstanding HVAC repair and maintenance services while also consistently going above and beyond to solve all your Dallas furnace repair problems.
Our expert technicians will treat you and your family with respect from the minute you give our friendly administrative staff a call to when our heating technicians leave your home after completing a job. We take care not only to cause the least disruption to your daily life but also to thoroughly repair your broken furnace while looking for underlying problems to prevent you from needing future repairs. Your peace of mind is our first priority.
Since we prioritize giving you and your family a positive experience from start to finish, our skillful Dallas furnace repair professionals are available 24/7 for emergencies. Our experienced technicians will come to the rescue when your furnace goes out during those chilly winter Dallas nights. Even if you wake up to a freezing house at 4:00 a.m., our technicians will be there to help. We also never charge overtime fees. Having your furnace break down is stressful enough. The last thing we’d want to do is add to that stress by overcharging you.
Each of our HVAC technicians is a trained expert when it comes to Dallas furnace repair. We offer all our clients our Fixed Right Promise because we guarantee that if your furnace isn’t repaired properly the first time, then our licensed professionals will fix the problem at no additional cost within 60 days of the initial repair. Customer satisfaction is our top priority!
Our team brings their expertise to communities across Dallas, including Coppell, Addison, Sunnyvale, and many more neighborhoods.
When you hire the professionals at Aire Serv of Dallas, we promise you can rest assured knowing you will receive outstanding customer service while having your Dallas furnace repair problems solved quickly and efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions About Furnace Repair in Dallas
Do you have further questions about Dallas furnace repair? Keep reading to see if we answer them here. If not, we invite you to call our courteous staff or request an appointment online.
How to Find a Trusted Furnace Repair Service Near Me?
If you’re looking for HVAC professionals that you can trust in the Dallas area, then you have come to the right place. Our Aire Serv location can expertly handle your furnace repair needs while earning your trust and your business through our outstanding customer service and passion for serving the Dallas community. You don’t just have to take it from us, take a look at our customer testimonials to see what our other customers think.
How Long Will My Furnace Last?
Generally, gas furnaces last between 15 and 20 years. Regularly scheduled maintenance appointments will help keep your furnace lasting as long as possible. Maintaining your furnace will help troubleshoot any problem areas so that you can catch issues before they escalate into costly repairs or replacements.
Not sure how old your furnace is? We can help. Look for the manufacturer's serial number on the inside of the furnace cover. Then, give us a call, and we can give you the manufacturing date.
How Much Does Furnace Repair Near Me Cost?
At Aire Serv of Dallas, we prioritize transparency and fair pricing. We offer upfront pricing, charging by the job, not by the hour, so that you won't encounter hidden fees or unexpected costs. When you need Dallas furnace repair, give us a call or request an appointment online. We're here to provide you with an accurate quote based on your specific furnace issue. Additionally, we offer flexible financing options, ensuring that your home remains comfortable without straining your budget. With Aire Serv, your satisfaction and peace of mind are our top priorities.
How Often Should You Have Your Furnace Cleaned?
To get the most out of your furnace, the best practice is to schedule annual professional maintenance and cleaning services.
During our maintenance and cleaning service in Dallas, we conduct a thorough examination of your furnace. From top to bottom, every component is cleaned and inspected to ensure safe and efficient operation. Our primary goal is to guarantee that your family breathes quality air while enjoying a well-functioning heating system. Your comfort and safety are our utmost priorities, and our meticulous approach leaves no room for compromise.
Should I Repair or Replace my Furnace?
There are two reasons why you should consider replacing your furnace over repairing it. Firstly, if your furnace is at the end of its lifespan, it makes more sense to get a new one, as it will likely begin breaking down anyway. Secondly, if it’s most cost-effective to invest in a new furnace, then that is a smarter choice than trying to repair a furnace on its last legs.
Consider replacing your furnace if:
- Your furnace is more than 16 years old. While a well-maintained furnace can last up to 20 years, if your furnace is over 15 years old and has been giving you problems, then it’s time for a heating installation service. Look for issues like a failing pilot light or a continually running furnace.
- You’ve had more than one furnace repair job over the last two years. It’s very common for furnaces to start breaking down during the last couple of years of their life. If you’ve had multiple repairs over the last two years, it’s time to buy a new furnace. Contact us to learn more about our furnace replacement services.
What Can Cause a Furnace to Stop Working?
There are a few reasons why your furnace is not working. Do a quick visual inspection to see if there is a problem with:
- Leaking Air Ducts: Examine the air ducts for any visible leaks or damage. Leaky ducts can reduce heating efficiency and comfort in your home.
- Damaged Thermostat: Inspect your thermostat to ensure it's functioning correctly. A malfunctioning thermostat can lead to temperature control issues.
- Furnace Power: Check if the furnace is turned on. Sometimes, it's a simple matter of the power switch being off or a tripped circuit breaker.
- Dirty Filters: Examine the furnace filters for dirt and clogs. Dirty filters can impede airflow and reduce the furnace's efficiency.
- Faulty Heat Pump: If you have a heat pump system, ensure that it's operating as expected. Issues with the heat pump can impact your heating.
Can I Get an AC Repair Service at the Same Time as My Dallas Furnace Repair?
Certainly, we can provide an air conditioning repair and heater repair service simultaneously, offering convenience and potential cost savings. Maintaining both systems in good condition ensures consistent home comfort and energy efficiency. However, the decision to address them together or separately depends on the air conditioning system and your individual conditions. Consulting our AC repair service professionals is advisable for tailored recommendations based on your specific needs and circumstances. Our furnace repair company can provide both furnace and air conditioning inspections and let you know the best course of action.
Stay Warm and Schedule an Appointment with Our Dallas Furnace Repair Professionals Today!
Are you in need of a Dallas furnace repair service? We invite you to call our professional and courteous team today. Our friendly and excellent technicians are more than happy to solve any HVAC problem you might be dealing with. Reach out to our customer care team for questions or request an appointment online. We look forward to meeting you and helping your family stay warm.