Your furnace is a key part of your home. Without one, you wouldn’t be able to keep warm during cold weather. Yet furnaces can have some issues that are more typical than others.

Let’s review these issues and discuss what they might cost to correct so you know before you call an HVAC technician. Some of the most common furnace repair issues include:

  • Furnace won’t turn on
  • Furnace doesn’t stay lit
  • Furnace won’t blow hot air
  • Furnace won’t turn off

1. The Furnace Will Not Turn On

There are a couple of reasons why your furnace won’t turn on, so make sure to check all of them.

  • Is your thermostat set correctly? Make sure it’s on “heat,” “auto” and that your desired temperature is greater than the room’s current temperature. If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure it has fresh batteries.
  • Is the circuit breaker tripped? Your furnace can’t run if it doesn’t have power. Reset the switch if it’s facing the outside of the electrical panel.
  • Is the furnace switch off? Your furnace has a power switch located on or near it. Because this switch resembles a light switch, it’s easy to accidentally turn it off. If it was off, it might take your furnace a few minutes to start.
  • Is the air filter clean? A dusty air filter can create a lot of problems for your furnace. Get a new one if you can’t see light through it.

Estimated Repair Cost

This issue can be complex, so the estimated cost to repair it depends on what’s wrong.

2. My Furnace Isn’t Staying Lit

Your furnace uses a specific sequence when it begins heating your home.

  1. Your thermostat detects the temperature has fallen and tells your furnace to turn on.
  2. The draft inducer fan activates to pull in fresh air for combustion.
  3. The gas valve opens for the burners, which are lit electronically.
  4. The flame sensor tells your furnace the burners have been lit.

If something is wrong during the sequence, your furnace will shut down as a preventive measure.

A couple of possible causes for this issue include:

  • Dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor. If the sensor doesn’t sense a flame, it will shut off your furnace to prevent natural gas from getting into your home. The ignition process corrodes flame sensors as time passes. While cleaning during annual furnace maintenance can help, yours may eventually need to be taken out and changed.
  • Bad limit switch. This safety feature will turn off your furnace if it detects backdrafting. Backdrafting is hazardous, because carbon monoxide and natural gas can seep into your home. These switches can malfunction due to age, damage or dust buildup.
  • Old thermostat. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, your furnace won’t be able to operate.
  • Dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can limit airflow and cause your furnace to shut off to prevent overheating. Make sure to replace yours every 30 to 90 days, or whenever you can’t see light through it.

Estimated Repair Cost

These costs are estimates, so it’s necessary to note yours may fluctuate based on your furnace’s brand and model.

  • Flame sensor: $350–$500
  • Limit switch: $150–$300
  • Thermostat: $150–$350
  • Furnace filter: $10-$30

3. The Furnace Blows Cold Air

In many cases, this problem is tied to a wrong thermostat setting or a dirty air filter that’s restricting airflow. Use the steps above to fix the issue.

4. The Furnace Isn’t Shutting Off

If it’s extremely chilly outside or you like your home to be toasty, your furnace may be running for a long time.

If this isn’t what’s happening, make sure your thermostat is set correctly and working properly. If your fan setting is at “on,” the blower motor will be running even when the furnace isn’t, so it’ll sound like your furnace is running all the time.

Otherwise, there might be an issue with the blower motor or your ductwork may be losing air, making your furnace run continuously to make up for the air loss.

Estimated Repair Cost

These costs are approximations, so it’s necessary to note yours may be different based on your furnace’s brand and model.

  • New blower motor: $250–$800
  • Seal ductwork: varies based on square footage

Paniccia Heating & Cooling Will Work Hard to Get to the Bottom of Your Furnace Problems Quickly and Affordably

Furnace problems can be an expensive headache, but not when you work with Paniccia Heating & Cooling. We’ve been providing the quality, affordable furnace repair Michigan City homeowners have relied on since {year}. Call us at 219-872-2198 to request your free estimate today.