What To Do When Your Furnace Blower Keeps Running But No Heat
Have you tried turning on the furnace in your home, but it does not produce heat the way you expected? Depending on the issue, you may need the assistance of a home furnace expert. You can address some furnace troubles by yourself; however, professionals with the right tools, appropriate training, and experience must evaluate if your home’s furnace blower keeps running but no heat. Consider the simple concerns first before trying to troubleshoot the more difficult ones. This article provides the furnace troubleshooting steps you should take before reaching out to an HVAC company for heating services.
Troubleshooting A Furnace That Runs But Doesn’t Produce Heat
Contents
Continue reading to learn more about troubleshooting a home furnace when the system is not providing adequate heat.
Evaluate the Furnace Condensate Line
High-efficiency modern furnaces produce water while operating. This moisture flows through a drain line. Once that drain line becomes blocked, water can travel back in, and this causes the overflow kill to trip. Also, this problem causes the furnace to switch off. If you observe water pooled around the system, you most likely have a block in the condensate line. You will have no choice but to arrange for the furnace to be cleaned by a trained professional.
Most furnaces have a red reset button. Use the button to get the system to restart. If you have to use the reset button often to keep the system running, you need a professional HVAC technician to evaluate the problem.
Check the Thermostat Settings
Incorrect thermostat settings could limit the heat from the vents even when the blower is on. Therefore, check the thermostat to ensure the settings are correct for heating and not for cooling. While you may think this is too simple, many people often make this error. Also, the fan runs consistently when the system is on, so you may think the furnace is running when only the blower is working. Heat will not generate and circulate in your house if only the blower motor functions. Therefore, you need to follow the suggestions listed below:
- Set the Fan Properly: Set your fan to AUTO to ensure the blower motor only operates during a heating cycle. When the fan is on, it pushes out the cold air from the blower and uses more energy.
- Turn up the Thermostat: Turn up your thermostat higher than the room temperature if the furnace is not generating heat. You may be able to get the unit to trigger a heating cycle.
- Contact a Trained Technician: You need to contact a certified technician if your furnace does not produce heat even after you complete all the above steps.
Consider HVAC Airflow Problems
Furnace airflow problems and ductwork may limit the heat released into the living areas of your home. Unclean air filters restrict the airflow and limit the heat that travels through the vents of the system. Here are some tips to address these airflow challenges in your home:
- HVAC Air Filter: Check your air filter and replace it once it becomes clogged with particles. Conduct these checks monthly and change the filter if it is filled with contaminants.
- Louvers: Check the vents to ensure that all louvers are open. Remove the vent cover and clean it if the louvers are closed. Connect with an expert HVAC professional to replace the cover if you find that the louvers are jammed.
- HVAC Registers and Vents: Your furnace will seem to malfunction and not produce enough heat if you have loose or obstructed vents because the hot air will not flow to all areas in your house. Therefore, check the registers and vents to ensure that big items such as carpets, rugs, or furniture are not obstructing the registers and vents. These large items are often the cause of obstruction. If any vent has low airflow, look inside to see if any item has fallen inside and blocked the space. Use your hand or a long wire to remove any items obstructing the vent.
- Duct System: Inspect your home’s air ducts if you find they are leaky. Heated air will escape once air can leak through, and you will experience cool and weak airflow from the vents. Therefore, your furnace will have to work harder to keep your home warm, and you will lose energy efficiency, which will cost you. Eventually, your furnace will have a shortened lifespan. You will need to contact a trained technician to seal any leaks or gaps that make your heating system inefficient.
Arrange Regular Furnace Maintenance by a Professional
Schedule consistent HVAC maintenance by a competent professional to avoid issues with airflow
Check for Ignition and Fuel Problems
You could have a problem with the fuel supply or ignition system if your home’s furnace generates little or no heat after turning it on. Check for fuel issues by following these steps:
- Assess the gas supply line and check if the gas valve is open or closed.
- If you use liquid propane or oil in your system, ensure the supply tank is filled. If you are running low, organize a refill with your local supplier.
- If you utilize natural gas, call the utility provider to determine if service has been interrupted.
Troubleshooting Tips for Furnace Ignition Malfunction
Gas will not combust to create heat if you have challenges with your ignition system. Address problems with the ignition by following these steps:
- Assess the Pilot Light: Property owners with dated furnaces with pilot lights have to check to see if the pilot light is out. This light must be relit if it goes out by reviewing the manual and following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
- Electric Furnace: If you have an electronic ignition system, it could malfunction because the metal strip that forms part of the switch needs to be cleaned. Therefore, check the metal strip and take precautions by gently wiping it clean because it is a fragile component in your heating system. You must handle it with extreme care. The better option is to contact a professional to clean it.
- Never Light the Furnace Manually: It is never safe to try to light a furnace manually. Instead, check the blower to see if the belt became misaligned or broken and if your furnace is running but not producing heated air.
Conclusion
Furnaces do not generate heat for several reasons, which also require different solutions. So what should you do if you attempt troubleshooting by using the above steps but the problems continue? It is time to contact an expert technician to evaluate where the issues stem from and to conduct all repairs. You do not want to wait until the system is beyond repair and must be replaced.
Contact Point Bay Fuel For All Your HVAC Needs
Point Bay Fuel delivers exceptional cooling and heating services in Ocean and Monmouth County, New Jersey. We employ experienced and qualified technicians who can assist you with HVAC replacements, installations, tune-ups, and repairs. Every technician has the experience and expertise to maintain your HVAC unit efficiently.
Point Bay Fuel assures competitive cooling and heating fees in this area. Using our maintenance services guarantees your family’s comfort, improved energy efficiency, and a noticeable reduction in your home cooling and heating expenses. We review your budget and recommend ideal suggestions for repair or replacement while keeping you within your spending plan. We are confident in our work and guarantee our work will improve your home’s enjoyment while ensuring you are satisfied. Arrange a service appointment by calling Point Bay Fuel today. We provide in-home estimates.
Contact us now by calling (732) 349-5059 to speak to one of our home comfort specialists! Click the link to view our service area.