Have you been trying to keep your home reasonably warm during the chilly nights that have hit our area? If so, you may have noticed that you are underwhelmed by what your furnace has to offer. In fact, you may be finding yourself downright cold in the middle of the night.
The question you are probably asking is, “Why isn’t my furnace doing its job?”
The hope is likely that the thermostat is actually off by mistake or that it was set wrong. However, in most cases, a furnace that isn’t heating your home probably needs a furnace repair in Portland, OR.
Below we’ve listed some possible causes behind this issue so you know when to contact us for a fix!
4 Cause of a Furnace That Isn’t Heating
Here are some of the problems that may make it hard or impossible for your furnace to heat your home.
1. The burners or pilot light are dirty
Dirty build-up can lead to more issues than just some unpleasant smells. It can hinder the heating process for a furnace too. If you have a gas-powered furnace the dirt in the system may block the burners from igniting the gas supply, or it may stop the system from igniting at all by clogging the pilot light. In an electric furnace, too much dirt can coat the heating elements, causing a hindrance to the heating process—and making some bad smells.
2. There is an issue with the gas or electrical connection
Maybe your furnace has a problem with its power source(s). In either type of heater, a loss of electricity means that the system can’t turn on to heat up the house. In a gas-powered furnace, a loss of gas will mean that the furnace has no way to create heat, even if it has a connection to the electrical supply.
3. There is an issue with the heat exchanger (in your gas furnace)
Let’s talk a little more specifically about gas furnaces. These systems burn natural gas which then becomes combustion gas that is fed into a metal heat exchanger. This heat exchanger then heats up, passing that warmth into the air that is blown into your home.
A crack in the heat exchanger causes two problems. The first is that it will allow the combustion gases to escape before they can heat the air, undermining the ability to warm the home. But, what’s worse, this can present a safety hazard for anyone in the home who may be at risk of gas exposure.
4. There is something hindering the airflow into or out of the furnace
There may also be a problem with the airflow entering or exiting your furnace. You may need to change your system filter, causing a reduction in the amount of air that enters your furnace. Or perhaps there is a problem with the fans in your furnace or the ductwork delivering your warm air.
Not sure which issue your furnace is facing? We can help you identify the problem and fix it correctly.
Please call Sydni, our Office Extraordinaire, to schedule your next appointment! We will take care of you from there! Schedule your furnace repairs with The Clean Air Act.