Living without heat in the Sioux Falls, SD area isn’t inconvenient. It is impossible! That’s why you need quick fixes whenever you have furnace issues. In other words, you need PrairieSons! Our highly trained technicians are standing by to deliver the prompt resolution when your furnace fails, so you can rest assured your family will stay comfortable and your plumbing will remain unfrozen.
As a full-service HVAC contractor in Sioux Falls, there is no furnace problem PrairieSons isn’t equipped to handle. Here are just a few of the common furnace issues we tend to on an almost daily basis at homes and businesses across the tri-state area!
Starting Mechanism Problems
Depending on its age, your furnace probably uses one of two different types of mechanisms to start its heat cycle: intermittent pilot, or hot surface ignition.
Newer furnaces’ hot surface ignition mechanisms are more efficient and more reliable, but they are by no means infallible. A worn out ignitor, loose electrical connection, defective control board, or open limit, rollout or pressure switch can turn any hot surface ignition into a nonstarter.
Fortunately, none of those problems require especially complicated repairs. Even if your furnace’s starting mechanism is unsalvageable, PrairieSons will quickly take care of its total replacement.
Blower Problems
Your furnace’s blower pushes heated air throughout your home. When that vital component is out of commission, you have two options: request immediate furnace repair, or sit in a house without heat.
Several issues can cause a blower to stop working or underperform. For example, its ball bearings can become so worn out that its fan no longer spins freely. If your furnace blower emits a scraping sound, it’s a good idea to have its bearings checked out before they break altogether.
A blower’s belt is also prone to wearing out, which is often indicated by a sharp, squealing noise. If that is the case, then restoring the belt to its correct position or replacing it altogether does the trick – both jobs for any member of the PrairieSons HVAC team.
Finally, a blower’s capacitor may become damaged during the course of normal operation. That can cause a power surge, a tripped breaker, or a short circuit. If your furnace frequently shuts down while it is in the middle of a heat cycle, your best course of action is to let one of our HVAC techs determine whether the capacitor is the culprit.
Heat Exchanger Problems
A furnace’s heat exchanger is a thin piece of metal that separates its combustion chamber from its blower. Constant heating and cooling causes the heat exchanger to undergo thermal stress, which can gradually weaken it until it cracks.
Heat exchangers usually give certain signs when they are cracked. Those signs may include rattling or clattering noises, an odor similar to that of formaldehyde, and a visible change in the appearance of the flame. If you notice any of these signs, it is imperative that you seek assistance immediately. You are one exhaust system malfunction away from potential exposure to deadly and odorless carbon monoxide gas!
Note that not all furnace odors indicate serious problems. The smell of burning dust is normal when you turn your furnace on for the first time each fall. But if you smell anything else – such as gas, rotten eggs, or something metallic – then it’s advisable to shut off your gas valve, open every window and door in your home, and call PrairieSons for professional repairs.
Limit Switch Problems
Your furnace’s limit switch includes a thermometer. In addition to controlling the blower fan, it detects when the furnace is running at a dangerously high temperature.
When a limit switch functions correctly, it helps to prevent damage to the furnace as well as a housefire. But when it is malfunctioning, it allows the furnace to continue operating when it is unsafe for it to do so. If you realize that your furnace is running continuously, your home isn’t just at risk of fire. You are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning until you call in the pros.
Flame Sensor Problems
The flame sensor is an aptly named furnace component. It senses whether a pilot flame is present when the furnace starts up. If it isn’t, the flame sensor automatically shuts down the furnace.
The flame sensor’s constant exposure to combustion means that its surface gradually accumulates soot and other debris. If it becomes too dirty, the flame sensor can lose functionality and shut down the furnace even when the flame is burning just fine. Cleaning the flame sensor isn’t difficult, but it is still outside the scope of many DIYers’ abilities. And if you call PrairieSons, you’re assured a quality replacement if your flame sensor is too far gone to be saved.
Don’t let a furnace failure jeopardize your comfort, your home and your safety this winter. For expert repairs, reliable replacements, and outstanding customer service, you only have to contact PrairieSons today!