New York winters are hard enough without furnace troubles. No one wants to pay exorbitant bills when their furnace is working overtime or to have to bundle up in the living room because the heater simply will not warm up. But figuring out what’s wrong with your furnace is not always simple.

What Are the Most Common Furnace Problems?

At the most basic level, the most common furnace problem is that it isn’t heating your home properly. That can mean a lot of different things. Perhaps your furnace is running constantly, overheating the house, or it won’t turn on at all.

Common furnace problems range from dirty air intake filters to a bad thermostat. Even a blown fuse can cause your furnace to act strangely. Less common issues with a furnace include poor electrical wiring or improperly installed equipment. Each municipality will likely have different building codes regarding the installation of air handlers and other HVAC equipment, but improper installation can create major problems with your furnace.

How Do You Troubleshoot Furnace Problems?

1. Check your thermostat settings
   While it may seem obvious, start at your thermostat. If your heater is constantly blowing and never shutting off, the first thing to do is to check your temperature settings and your fan setting. Most newer thermostats offer the option for “auto” or “on”. When the thermostat fan is set to “auto”, your furnace will kick off when the area reaches the specified temperature. When it is set to “on”, it will run constantly at the specified temperature.
2. Check the batteries in your thermostat
   Assuming your thermostat is set correctly, the next step to troubleshoot furnace problems is to check the batteries in your thermostat. Generally, it’s a good idea to change the batteries twice a year and whenever you have a problem with your HVAC system.
3. Check your air filter
   The third step in troubleshooting is to check the air filter on your furnace. The filter should be changed regularly, depending on the air quality going into your furnace. Some need to be changed monthly and others can be changed less often. Visually inspect the filter and determine if air is flowing into your furnace. If not, that might be the source of the problem.
4. Check the electrical input
   Most homes have a breaker or fuse assigned just to the heating and air conditioning system. Make sure the breaker hasn’t tripped or that the fuse is in good shape. Many furnaces also have a small electrical switch close to the unit itself. Double-check to make sure that switch is set to “on”.

Improve Your Furnace Performance with Tragar

Furnace and HVAC systems are complicated machinery with a large electrical input. If none of the simple fixes correct your furnace issues, call Tragar to help keep you warm this winter. We’ll help identify the problem and get it fixed. Contact us online or give us a call directly at (516) 221-2559.

As Winter looms, it’s worth your time to check your heating system to see if it needs maintenance or replacement. Preventative maintenance can extend the life of your heater, increase efficiency, reduce your power bills, and detect potentially deadly carbon monoxide leaks (The CDC reports that approximately 500 people die each year, and about 50,000 people are taken to emergency rooms, due to carbon monoxide exposure in the United States). It can also detect a unit at the end of its lifespan, preventing those unexpected and costly late-night emergency service calls.

How Often Should Furnaces Be Serviced?

Annual maintenance, performed by a qualified technician, is universally recommended by furnace manufacturers. Many warranties also contain clauses stating that damage caused by lack of maintenance will not be covered.

Should I Repair or Replace My Furnace?

A solid guideline when deciding whether to repair or replace your furnace is if the repair costs half the price of a new heating system, you should replace it.

How Long Do Oil Furnaces Last?

Most furnaces have a suggested lifespan of 18-20 years however, this assumes good upkeep and regular maintenance. Without these, the unit could fail after only 8-9 years.

Should I Replace My 15 Year Old Furnace?

Sadly, systems more than 15 years old are prone to frequent and expensive repairs and often need to be replaced. As each progressive repair is made, the cost of maintaining the older, less efficient heating systems becomes more of a losing proposition compared to the cost of replacement.

How Do You Know Your Furnace Is Going Bad?

The collection of dust and debris on the unit, high energy bills, and yellowish flames in your furnace are all signs that it should be checked out and needs servicing. Also, listen to your unit. Strange rattles, pops, squeals, and other sounds can indicate the end is near. Another sign to look for is the blower. Does it run excessively, switch on and off repeatedly, or blow cold air? These are all signs that the end of its life could well be approaching

When Should I Replace My Heating System?

There are a number of signs that your system is coming to the end of its days. Here are a few of the more common ones:

1. Frequent repairs, escalating in cost as time progresses.
2. Unusual noises, such as banging, buzzing, squealing, or rattling.
3. The presence of dust, soot, or rust, especially around the register.
4. The furnace starts switching on and off with increasing frequency.
5. Cracks in the heat exchanger.
6. Usage is consistent, but your heating bills are skyrocketing.
7. Uneven heating in your home, with some rooms warmer than others.
8. Signs of rust, cracks, or corrosion around the furnace.
9. A rise in the humidity in your home.

Tragar Is an Expert in Long Island Heating Systems

Whether you need routine maintenance, repairs, or a new furnace, Tragar can take care of all your HVAC needs. Reach out to us for more information and a free estimate.

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