Your furnace is an integral 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 go over these problems and discuss what they might cost to fix so you know before you contact an HVAC technician. Some of the most common furnace repair issues involve:

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

1. My 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 higher 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 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 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 may take your furnace a few minutes to turn on.
  • Is the air filter clean? A dirty air filter can create a lot of issues for your furnace. Get a new one 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. The Furnace Won’t Stay Lit

Your furnace uses a specific 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 turns on to bring 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 off as a preventive measure.

A couple of possible causes for this issue include:

  • Dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor. If the sensor doesn’t detect a flame, it will turn off your furnace to keep natural gas from spilling into your home. The ignition process corrodes flame sensors over time. 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 senses backdrafting. Backdrafting is hazardous, since carbon monoxide and natural gas can seep into your home. These switches can malfunction due to age, damage or dust accumulation.
  • 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 force your furnace to shut down to avoid 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 vary based on your furnace’s brand and model.

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

3. My Furnace Is Blowing 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 Can’t Stop Running

If it’s extremely chilly 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, ensure your thermostat is set correctly and running properly. If your fan setting is at “on,” the blower motor will be running 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 leaking air, making your furnace run constantly to make up for the lost air.

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 square footage

Halverson Brothers Inc Can Solve Your Furnace Issues as Soon as Possible

Furnace problems can be an expensive headache, but not when you work with Halverson Brothers Inc. We’ve been providing the quality, affordable furnace repair Menomonie and western Wisconsin homeowners have relied on since year. Call us at 715-352-4052 to request your free estimate today.