Your furnace is an integral part of your home. Without one, you wouldn’t be able to stay warm during the winter. Yet furnaces can have some problems that are more common than others.
Let’s review these issues and about what they might cost to fix so you know before you call an HVAC technician. Some of the most common furnace repair problems involve:
- Furnace won’t turn on
- Furnace doesn’t stay lit
- Furnace won’t blow hot air
- Furnace won’t turn off
1. Furnace Won’t Turn 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 on “heat,” “auto” and that your preferred temperature is greater than the room’s current temperature. If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure it has new batteries.
- Is the circuit breaker tripped? Your furnace can’t run if it doesn’t have electricity. Reset the switch if it’s facing the outside of the electrical panel.
- Is the furnace switch off? Your furnace has a power switch found 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 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 problem can be complicated, so the estimated cost to repair it depends on what’s wrong.
2. Furnace Won’t Stay Lit
Your furnace uses a specific sequence when it starts heating your home.
- Your thermostat notices the temperature has dropped and tells your furnace to turn on.
- The draft inducer fan turns on to bring in fresh air for combustion.
- The gas valve opens for the burners, which are ignited electronically.
- The flame sensor tells your furnace the burners have been lit.
If something is wrong during the sequence, your furnace will shut off as a preventive measure.
A couple of possible 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 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 replaced.
- Bad limit switch. This safety feature will shut off your furnace if it senses backdrafting. Backdrafting is dangerous, because carbon monoxide and natural gas can seep 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 reduce airflow and cause your furnace to shut off 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 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. Furnace Won’t Blow Hot Air
In many instances, this problem is tied to an incorrect thermostat setting or a dirty air filter that’s limiting airflow. Follow the steps above to fix the problem.
4. Furnace Won’t Turn Off
If it’s extremely cold outside or you like your home to be toasty, your furnace may be working 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 going even when the furnace isn’t, so it’ll sound like your furnace is on all the time.
Alternatively, there might be an issue with the blower motor or your ductwork may be leaking air, forcing your furnace to run continuously to make up for the air loss.
Estimated Repair Cost
These costs are approximations, 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 square footage
The Frazier Company Can Resolve Your Furnace Problems Quickly and Affordably
Furnace problems can be a costly headache, but not when you call The Frazier Company. We’ve been delivering the quality, affordable furnace repair Omaha homeowners have relied on since 1929. Contact us at 402-628-0206 to receive your free estimate today.