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

Let’s go over these issues and discuss what they might cost to correct so you know before you contact 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 Isn’t Turning On

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

  • Is your thermostat set right? Make sure it’s set to “heat,” “auto” and that your preferred temperature is greater than the room’s current temperature. If you use a programmable thermostat, make sure it has new batteries.
  • Is the circuit breaker tripped? Your furnace can’t operate 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 close to 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 dirty air filter can cause a lot of issues for your furnace. Replace yours if you can’t see light through it.

Estimated Repair Cost

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

2. The Furnace Ignition System Isn’t Working

Your furnace follows a certain sequence when it begins heating your home.

  1. Your thermostat notices the temperature has dropped and tells your furnace to start running.
  2. The draft inducer fan activates to bring in fresh air for combustion.
  3. The gas valve unlocks 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 potential causes for this problem include:

  • Dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor. If the sensor doesn’t sense a flame, it will turn off your furnace to prevent natural gas from spilling into your home. The ignition process corrodes flame sensors as time passes. While cleaning during annual furnace maintenance can help, yours may ultimately need to be taken out and changed.
  • Bad limit switch. This safety feature will turn off your furnace if it senses backdrafting. Backdrafting is dangerous, since carbon monoxide and natural gas can leak into your home. These switches can fail due to age, damage or dust buildup.
  • Old thermostat. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, your furnace won’t be able to run.
  • Dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can limit airflow and cause your furnace to shut down to prevent overheating. Make sure to change 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 important 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 Won’t Blow Hot Air

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

4. The Furnace Can’t Stop Running

If it’s extremely cold 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 running properly. If your fan setting is at “on,” the blower motor will be going even when the furnace isn’t, so it’ll seem like your furnace is running all the time.

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

Estimated Repair Cost

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

  • New blower motor: $250–$800
  • Seal ductwork: varies based on house size

Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning Can Solve Your Furnace Problems as Soon as Possible

Furnace issues can be a costly headache, but not when you call Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve been providing the quality, affordable furnace repair Kearney homeowners have relied on since {year}. Contact us at 308-624-3485 to receive your free estimate today.