In the cold seasons, your furnace becomes an important asset, keeping your home cozy when the temperature outside becomes unbearable. The last thing you want is your heating unit failing due to an accumulation of problems. As a homeowner, knowing the problems that are likely to occur with your gas furnace is beneficial. This helps you know when issues arise so you can ensure they are resolved in a timely manner for optimal efficiency.

1. Dirty or clogged air filters

Inside your gas furnace is an air filter that removes dirt, dust, pet dander and other air pollutants. After some time, filtered particles can block the pores in the filters, restricting the air flow. The oven has to work harder to draw in air, which leads to overheating. Most gas furnaces have a safety mechanism that shuts down the system when the temperature exceeds the acceptable range to prevent fire hazards or damage to the system.

Depending on the type of air filter, you can either clean or replace it. Most air filter manufacturers recommend homeowners replace air filters every three months.

2. Ignition Problems

Gas furnaces rely on the pilot light to ignite the fuel (gas). The pilot light burns continuously in a blue flame. Soot can accumulate on its assembly, partially or completely obstructing the flame. The pilot light may then fail to ignite the oven.

Your oven also has another component, the flame sensor, which detects the pilot light. When there is a flame, the sensor triggers the gas valve to open and release the gas. Sometimes, soot and dirt can accumulate on the flame sensor, limiting its visibility. In such conditions, it cannot indicate the gas valve accurately, and you will notice irregular patterns in the operation of your oven.

3. Booming and Screeching Sounds

Is your gas furnace making strange noises? Mostly, the unit has a tapping sound as it turns on or off. But sometimes, it can make other loud noises, which indicates underlying problems. When the thermostat signals the furnace to start a new cycle, the gas valve opens and releases the fuel ignited by the pilot light. However, this gas sometimes does not burn immediately, and some leaks in the combustion chamber. Finally, the fuel is ignited, and the accumulated gas burns suddenly, resulting in an exploding noise.

If you hear what sounds like metal rubbing against metal in your gas oven, there is a probability that is what is happening. Over time, the components in your gas furnace can loosen. A blower fan, for example, will drag its blades against the oven casing when the oven is in cycle.

4. Short Cycling

A gas furnace turns off or on depending on the temperature levels inside. It continues to work until the room is heated to the temperature on the thermostat, then it turns off. However, sometimes, you may notice that your oven fails to complete a cycle and turns off before heating the room to the desired temperature. Then it turns on again without a proper break. This results in an uneven temperature in your home.

Short cycling can result from restricted airflow due to blocked vents and air filters. The heat exchanger retains heat, which leads to overheating. An oversized oven can also cause short cycles. If it’s too big for your home, it reaches the heating demand quickly, then shuts down suddenly.

5. Gas Leakage

A cracked heat exchanger is the most common cause of gas leaks in your furnace. This is where the air is mixed with the fuel and burned. Blower fans blow air over the heat exchanger to collect heat so it reaches your home when it’s warm. A cracked heat exchanger can let the gas out of the furnace before it burns. Other times, the leak can occur in the supply line if there are cracks or gaps.

Natural gas is colorless and odorless. Most gas suppliers add odorants, mostly Sulphur, to help homeowners detect when there is a gas leak. The gas will therefore smell like rotten eggs. You may also hear a hissing sound near the furnace as the gas forces its way through a small crack.

Problems with your gas furnace can compromise the safety of your home. If you notice one or more of these gas furnace problems, consult professional HVAC experts at Custom Air Inc.. We provide excellent heating, ventilation and air conditioning services and in Greensboro, NV. We are your company when your systems need repair, replacements, maintenance or installation of a new system. Contact Custom Air Inc. today and let us make your indoor environment comfortable.