You set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature and the furnace seems to respond. However, shortly afterwards, the furnace shuts off again. This is understandably frustrating, but a qualified heating technician should be able to diagnose this issue quickly and help you to get repairs fast. Take a look at some of the most common reasons for this frustration, and what we recommend to solve the issue.
The Standing Pilot Light Went Out
Are you still dealing with a standing pilot light that is designed to stay on throughout the season? It’s time to upgrade your system. Today’s systems use electronic ignition, which is not so easily affected by a heavy draft, and which use far less energy to ignite only when your need heat.
Faulty Safety Switch
Another potential issue has to do with the safety switches within the furnace, which are there to protect you and keep your furnace functioning properly, but which can occasionally malfunction. This includes a fan limit switch, which determines when the fan should turn on, and a flame sensor, which may falsely shut off the furnace if no flame is detected.
Thermostat Trouble
Another potential issue is that the thermostat on the wall is not functioning properly. Make sure that the thermostat is not in need of new batteries. If you have a really old thermostat that operates with a dial or slider, it may be time to switch up to a programmable model.
Dirt
It’s possible that the culprit is actually just a little bit of dirt. Dirt on the flame sensor can cause ignition failure, forcing the furnace to shut off because the sensor does not recognize a flame after a few seconds. We recommend that you call a technician if you determine that this is the issue with your furnace.
Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning provides furnace repairs in Colorado Springs, CO. Call us today!
