Ah, wintertime! The season of cozy firesides and festive gatherings. But what happens when your furnace takes a break in the middle of all that winter cheer? The dreaded shutoff can make you feel helpless, frustrated, and cold!
Never fear, though! Don’t rush out just yet to buy a new furnace (or a handful of blankets!) because we have some answers for you on why this may be happening and even how to prevent it from occurring in the future. Read on to learn more about common reasons your furnace keeps shutting off!
Air Filter Clogs
One of the most common causes of a furnace shutting off is an air filter clogged with dirt and debris. The filter is designed to trap dirt before entering your furnace, but if it gets too clogged, the airflow through the system will be restricted, causing the furnace to shut down as a safety measure. If you suspect a clogged filter is the culprit, check it immediately and replace it if necessary. Remember that dirty air filters can lead to other problems even in your health!
Dirty Blower Wheel
The blower wheel, or fan, of your furnace is responsible for blowing heated air throughout your home. If the blower wheel becomes dirty or clogged with debris, it can cause an imbalance in the system and make the motor over-work itself, leading to a shutoff. Regularly cleaning the blower wheel can help prevent this from happening.
Electrical Issue
Another potential issue could be an electrical problem, such as a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. To check for this, locate your fuse box or circuit panel and reset any tripped breakers or replace any blown fuses. If this doesn’t fix the problem, then there may be other electrical issues within your system that require further investigation.
Soot in Flame Sensor
The flame sensor is an important component of your furnace that monitors the presence and quality of the flame created by the system. If there is too much soot buildup on this component, it won’t detect the flame correctly, causing the furnace to shut off. The best way to prevent this is to have your system serviced and inspected regularly.
Pilot Light Going Out
The pilot light on the furnace helps to ignite the gas valve so that heat can be produced within the unit itself. If the pilot light gets too low or goes out completely, you may face sudden shutdowns of your furnace system when turning it on again. To fix this issue yourself, you will need to relight the pilot light by following some steps outlined in a user manual for your specific model of furnace or calling an HVAC technician for help if needed.
Thermostat Issues
Your thermostat may also be causing your furnace to shut off unexpectedly. If you have recently adjusted the temperature setting on your thermostat, then this could cause it to malfunction and turn off prematurely. In some cases, simply resetting the thermostat can solve the problem. However, if this does not work, you may need to replace your thermostat for optimal performance.
Conclusion
Knowing what’s causing your furnace to keep shutting off can help you troubleshoot and fix the issue quickly so you can return to enjoying comfortable temperatures in your home. These are common reasons why furnaces shut down unexpectedly during cold weather months, from air filter clogs to electrical problems and even thermostat issues.
With proper maintenance and care, you can ensure that your furnace is functioning properly all winter!
