Winters in Dayton can get pretty frosty, and you definitely don’t want to be without a working furnace when snow and ice come to town. Has your furnace stopped working out of the blue? It may be overheating. Just like any machine, furnaces can overheat for a number of reasons, from blocked airflow to failing components.
Fortunately, it may be possible to fix an overheated furnace yourself. Learn what to do if your furnace is overheating below, then call us for heating services in Dayton, OH.
How To Tell if Your Furnace Is Overheating in Dayton, OH
Before beginning troubleshooting for your furnace, it’s helpful to know whether the unit is actually overheating in the first place to help you rule out other potential problems. Here’s what to look for:
- Unexpected shutdowns: Does your furnace shut down before warming your home to the desired temperature? This is a big sign of overheating. If the furnace runs for a while before shutting down and then kicks back on again soon after, this is called short cycling. It often indicates that the system is the wrong size for your home.
- Burning smells: A burning smell doesn’t always indicate overheating. Sometimes, it’s caused by dust burning when the unit first turns on. But if the odor doesn’t fade after a few minutes, there may be a problem with the wiring or motor.
- Unusual noises: Your furnace shouldn’t make any noise except for a gentle hum. If you hear grinding, banging, or any other odd noises, you may have a problem with the furnace overheating.
- Delayed ignition: Does it take a long time for your furnace to start? If your furnace keeps overheating, it can damage the ignition system and cause gas to build up in the chamber.
- Tripped circuit breaker: If your circuit breaker trips every time the furnace runs, it could indicate that the unit is drawing more current than the circuit breaker is designed to handle.
- High heating bills: An overheating furnace has to work harder to do its job, and you’ll see that effort reflected in sky-high heating bills. If your bills are higher than ever, but you haven’t changed your furnace usage, overheating may be to blame.
Furnace Overheating? Here’s What To Do
If you’re confident that your furnace is overheating, you’re probably wondering whether this is a problem you can fix yourself. In some cases, it’s easy to stop a furnace from overheating. In others, you’ll need to call an HVAC technician in Dayton. Here are some troubleshooting steps to try before calling.
- Turn the furnace off: Before doing anything else, shut off the furnace if it’s powered on. Working on a furnace while it’s receiving power is dangerous and could damage the system. To shut off your furnace, turn off the thermostat or cut off power to the unit from the breaker panel. Allow the system to cool down for a few minutes before proceeding.
- Change the filter: Your furnace has an air filter that’s responsible for collecting dust and other debris that could damage the system. If you haven’t replaced the filter in a while, it may be clogged, causing the furnace to overheat. Generally, dirty filters need replacing every 30 to 90 days. If you’re unsure how to replace yours, check your furnace owner’s manual.
- Check the ducts for blockages: Clogged ducts are another thing that can cause restricted airflow. Ensure your air ducts are free of debris such as dust, cobwebs, and animal nests.
- Clean the blower motor: A faulty blower motor can cause your system to stop pushing air through the vents. Clean yours with a brush or can of compressed air. If you’re not comfortable with this, call an HVAC company in Dayton.
- Reset the limit switch: Your unit has a limit switch that shuts the system down if it detects furnace overheating. Try resetting the limit switch once the unit cools down.
Is Your Furnace Overheating Even After Troubleshooting? Call Our HVAC Experts in Dayton, OH
If you’ve tried the above troubleshooting tips for furnace overheating but your unit is still struggling, it’s time to call in the pros. Butler Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers speedy furnace repair in Dayton, OH, and nearby cities. Whether you need repairs or help understanding furnace operation, we’ve got you covered. We also offer cooling and plumbing services.
Call Butler Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today to schedule service from the best HVAC company in Dayton.