Under normal operating conditions:
- A furnace cycles on
- Reaches the target temperature set on the thermostat
- Then shuts off until the temperature drops
- The cycle begins again.
If this pattern is interrupted, the system cycles on continually. However, itdoesn’t reach a comfortable temperature. This is an obvious sign that something is wrong with the system.
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So what could be the problem? Read on to find out!
Thefilter is dirty
A filter captures many things:
- Dust
- Debris
- Other air particles.
It prevents them from entering the system. Otherwise, they willspread throughout your house. Over time, the filter might clog. This restricts airflow through the system.
Therefore, the system must run much harder.Even then, it is not able to generate enough warm air. Hence,the furnace will keep running and running. But without ever meeting demand.
The heat exchanger is failing
This part transfers heat from the combustion process to your indoor air. It might fail. Consequently, it can no longer move heat efficiently. The system constantly works overtime.
You might also be dealing with a cracked heat exchanger. This can be aserious safety issue. The system might leak combustion gases such as carbon monoxideinto the living area.
You should have a qualified technician inspect your system right away.Do not postpone this furnace repair.
The ductwork is leaking
In some cases, the warm air is lost before it ever reaches the living areas. This is caused by leaky pipes. They are acommon issue in older homes. They can cause significant heat loss between:
- The furnace
- The vents.
A common sign is when some rooms get hot, and others stay cold. Poorly insulated ductsare the problem. They can lose heat quickly. The solution is to seek a duct cleaning and sealing service. It can significantly enhance the heating efficiency.
The furnace is too small
Maybe yoursystem was not properly sized. As a result, it will not keep up on cold days. Regardless of how well it is maintained.
A unit that is not powerful enough can not warm a larger space efficiently. This issue is most apparent during the coldest days of winter.
Has yoursystembeen having trouble keeping up in the past? It could just be that it is too small. Have a heating professionalperform a load calculation. This is the only way to determine this.
The takeaway
Got a furnace that is running all the time? But not warming your house? Maybe it has a dirty filter. That just needs cleaning. Or it could be a failing heat exchanger. This is a serious problem.
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Either way, you can call a professional technician to inspect the system. They will give a correct diagnosis.