Here’s how to do it:
- Turn down the thermostat to its lowest setting.
- At the circuit breaker, turn off the power to the furnace.
- If this is a gas furnace, turn off the gas supply at the valve for the main gas pipe, but leave the pilot’s gas supply on.
- If the pilot light was out, light a match to relight it.
- Turn the gas supply back on.
How do you fix a furnace that overheats?
How to Reset Your FurnaceTurn down the thermostat to its lowest setting.At the circuit breaker, turn off the power to the furnace.If this is a gas furnace, turn off the gas supply at the valve for the main gas pipe, but leave the pilot's gas supply on.If the pilot light was out, light a match to relight it.More items...
What is causing my furnace to overheat?
Poor airflow Restricted airflow is the most common cause of overheating in furnaces across the United States. Poor airflow to and from the furnace can be attributed to a dirty air filter.
How do you diagnose a furnace overheating?
Signs of Furnace OverheatingThe Odor. This is the most common and obvious sign of furnace overheating. ... Frequent On-Off. Another giveaway of furnace overheating is that the furnace may turn on and off again and again. ... Noisy Furnace. ... Restricted Airflow. ... Short Cycling. ... End of Lifecycle. ... Dirt Deposits.
What prevents a gas furnace from overheating?
Since the hot air is trapped with no place to go, it will put a lot of undue pressure on your furnace system. To prevent this, open your vents and turn down the thermostat. In some cases, your vents might be open, but there is something else potentially obstructing the passage.
Can an overheated furnace cause a fire?
Any overheating furnace component is a serious problem. If temperatures climb too high, components such as the blower motor may catch on fire. To minimize the risk, hire a professional HVAC contractor to inspect and replace your furnace's air filter on a regular basis.
How do you know if your furnace is clogged up?
When you power up your furnace, check the color of the flame that it produces. Normally, the flame is blue, and a change in the color from blue to yellow indicates a clogged furnace flue. The furnace flue vents out carbon monoxide, but when it has a blockage, carbon monoxide remains inside the furnace.
How do you troubleshoot an overheating problem?
Part 1 of 1: Troubleshooting the overheating conditionMaterials Needed.Step 1: Check the coolant level and radiator cap. ... Step 2: Make sure there is no air in the system. ... Step 3: Verify that the radiator fans are spinning. ... Step 4: Test the fan motor. ... Step 5: Check the serpentine belt. ... Step 5: Check for leaks.More items...•
How do I know if my thermostat is blown?
Overheating And Overcooling. Overheating is the most common symptom of a failing thermostat. ... Coolant Leaking. If you have experienced problems with overheating or notice liquid dripping under your car, it is a sure sign of a coolant leak. ... Strange Sounds And Temperature Changes. ... Heater Problems.
How can you tell if overheating is damaged?
If your engine has experienced damage from overheating, you may notice symptoms like burning scents, fluid leaks, or (in a worst-case scenario) a cracked engine block. If you suspect your engine may be damaged due to overheating, it's best to have it assessed by a mechanic.
What is the most common problem with furnaces?
The most common problems with furnaces are:Dirty ductwork.Old filters.Faulty starting mechanism.Broken blower components.Malfunctioning heat exchanger.Bad Limit Switch.Thermostat in need of repair.Tripped circuit breaker.More items...•
Can high gas pressure cause furnace to overheat?
High gas pressure can be just as bad for your furnace. That's because it greatly increases the risk of furnace overheating. When this happens, all manner of internal components may become damaged by the excessive heat.
Why is my furnace not keeping up with thermostat?
A dirty filter blocks airflow, which can stop your furnace from heating up all the way. Be certain that you are changing your air filter when needed, as well as check that there are no large objects stacked around the furnace that are impeding airflow. Keep clean ducts and a clear path.
Can a bad thermostat cause short cycling of furnace?
Your thermostat could also cause the HVAC system to cycle on and off rapidly, a process known as short cycling. Your furnace or central air conditioner spends a good amount of energy simply turning on and off, which is why you want yours to run for at least 15 minutes at a time before shutting off.
What is the most common problem with furnaces?
The most common problems with furnaces are:Dirty ductwork.Old filters.Faulty starting mechanism.Broken blower components.Malfunctioning heat exchanger.Bad Limit Switch.Thermostat in need of repair.Tripped circuit breaker.More items...•
How do I know if my furnace is short cycling?
A good way to tell if your furnace is short-cycling is if your heater turns on and off several times repeatedly without producing any heat. A furnace that is the right size for the home and working properly cycles approximately three to eight times per hour.
Can a bad thermostat cause furnace to run continuously?
#2: The Thermostat is Set Wrong If your thermostat is set too high, the furnace will keep running to try to get it to that temperature. You'll probably notice your house is too hot before you notice your furnace is constantly running.
Why does my furnace shut down?
Watch to see if the furnace suddenly shuts down for a reason other than reaching the set temperature on the thermostat. Certain components of the furnace may overheat and cause a circuit breaker in your electrical panel to trip. You won't be able to turn the furnace back on until you flip the proper circuit breaker.
Why do furnaces have protection mechanisms?
Furnaces also have various protection mechanisms designed to prevent a furnace from potentially overheating while the unit is in use. It is possible that a protection mechanism has failed and the temperature of the furnace is beyond what is recommended for normal operation.
What does it smell like when your furnace is running?
Sometimes the warning signs of overheating comes in the form of things you smell or hear. In terms of odors, you may smell something burning when the furnace is running. This is not to be confused with a natural gas leak, which smells like rotten eggs.
Why does my furnace keep turning on and off?
You'll notice that the furnace quickly turns on and off during the day, since it is trying to reach the set thermostat temperature and keeps shutting down when the unit overheats. You may notice your home not feeling warm enough or heat the unit frequently shutting down.
Why does my furnace overheat?
A furnace can suddenly overheat for a variety of reasons, but it is typically due to a blockage within the ductwork of the furnace. For example, a filter that is completely blocked with debris and dust can stop air from freely flowing out of the furnace. This will cause the internal temperature of the furnace to quickly increase ...
How to fix overheating?
The easiest thing that can be done to try and solve an overheating problem is to change the air filter. If you see that the filter hasn't been changed in a while and it is covered with dust, it's possible that swapping out the old filter for a new one may be a quick fix to your problem.
Can a furnace get too hot?
While you want your furnace to produce hot air for your home, you do not want the furnace itself to get too hot. The furnace can overheat, which can cause lasting damage to this important household appliance.
Symptoms Your Furnace is Overheating
Here are symptoms you may notice if your furnace is overheating, or is about to overheat:
How to Reset Your Furnace
When you suspect that your furnace has overheated, resetting it is a good first step. Here’s how to do it:
What to do if your furnace is overheating?
The best thing to do if your furnace is overheating is to turn off the power from the unit and contact your local furnace repair company.
Why does my furnace keep cycling off?
You notice the furnace cycling off without starting again. As stated earlier, furnaces have built-in safety measures to shut off if they get too hot. If your heater requires that it gets reset before operating again, there is likely a consistent overheating issue.
Why is it important to change the furnace filter?
Restricted airflow: When air is blocked from moving freely through your ducts, it remains in the furnace system and can cause the components to overheat. This is one reason why it is so important to change the furnace filter regularly. Clogged filters are one of the main causes of an overheated furnace and the most preventable problem.
What happens if my furnace turns off too early?
Short cycling: If your furnace turns off too early in its heating cycle, it is likely that you have a short-cycling furnace. A furnace that turns on and off repeatedly like this puts a lot of stress on the motors. If you suspect your furnace is short cycling, contact a professional to inspect your heater before it burns out.
Why does my furnace make a loud noise?
You hear strange noises or loud humming coming from the furnace. These unusual sounds typically indicate that the blower motor receives enough power to start but something prevents it from operating to its full potential. If the motor is trying to work but can’t function properly, it generates excessive heat and contributes to the loud noises you hear.
What happens if an old furnace fails?
If old components wear out or if your old furnace fails completely, it can overheat. Older furnaces may not include safety shut-off features, so keep an eye on your old unit and get it replaced when it’s not operating properly.
Why do furnaces need tune ups?
Mechanical failure: The moving parts of your furnace need to be well maintained to prevent premature failure, which is why regular furnace tune-ups are important. Fan motors and electrical wiring can undergo excess strain and fail, causing your furnace to overheat. These components will need to be repaired or replaced entirely.
How Do I Prevent My Furnace From Overheating?
The main way to keep your furnace from overheating is ensuring correct airflow. Hindered airflow causes the system’s components to work abnormally hard, causing them to overheat.
How Do I Know My Furnace Is Overheating?
When your furnace overheats, it loses some or all of its functionality. Therefore, it probably won’t go unnoticed. Here are some giveaway signs:
Call Us if Your Furnace Overheats
If your furnace overheats, it’s in your best interest to have it repaired right away. Delaying could end up costing you more in the future with pricy parts or whole-system replacements. If you suspect your furnace has overheated, call our professionals at North Winds Heating & Cooling or request service online today.
Why is my furnace running without a filter?
If your air filter is clogged by dirt, there is an increased likelihood that other furnace components are. dirty too. It is common for furnaces that run without a clean filter to contain working parts that have. been negatively impacted by dust and dirt accumulation. When the motor gets dirty and is unable to.
Why is it important to have your furnace inspected?
furnace inspected before the start of the Winter season. Regular maintenance will keep your furnace in good condition during the Winter season and will prevent. premature failure.
What is an air filter?
Air filters are designed to trap dirt, dust mites, and other debris. A clean air filter will prevent these. airborne contaminants from clogging the ventilation system. When the ventilation system becomes. dirty or clogged, it impedes airflow. This forces your furnace to overwork and compensate for the. blockage of airflow.
Why is my furnace overheating?
4 Possible Reasons Why Your Furnace is Overheating. cycles off and will not turn back on again, that is a good indicator that your furnace is overheating. components are damaged due to overheating. Even with this safety measure in place, having a furnace. that overheats is a major inconvenience.
How long does a furnace last?
The average lifespan of a furnace is between 15 to 25 years. While a quality furnace that is properly. installed lasts for a long time, it will not last forever. Older model furnaces do not have the same security features as newer models. It is important to know. the model of your furnace and its age. Over time as it reaches the end of its life, ...
Does a furnace have a safety feature?
Today’s furnaces are equipped with a built-in safety feature that turns your furnace off before any. components are damaged due to overheating. Even with this safety measure in place, having a furnace. that overheats is a major inconvenience.
How do you know if you need a furnace replacement?
Age: If you have had your unit for quite some time, your blower overheating could be your sign that you need a replacement. In this case, a complete furnace replacement may be ideal. Your furnace is probably as old as your blower motor, and if it needs replacement, there are high chances that the entire system needs a replacement as well.
Why does my furnace blower overheat?
Here are the common reasons why you may have an overheating problem and what you can do to prevent it. Dirt buildup: Dirt and dust may build up around the motor with time.
What does it mean when a furnace blower motor is overheating?
The blower motor is an important component of your furnace as it helps in the cycling of air from your furnace throughout your entire home. If your blower motor is overheating, it will indicate with some signs. Here is what you need to be on the lookout for: Burning smell: When carrying out furnace troubleshooting, look out for any unusual smells.
How to tell if a furnace is overheating?
The blower motor is an important component of your furnace as it helps in the cycling of air from your furnace throughout your entire home. If your blower motor is overheating, it will indicate with some signs. Here is what you need to be on the lookout for: 1 Burning smell: When carrying out furnace troubleshooting, look out for any unusual smells. If your blower motor is overheating, then you may notice a burning smell coming from the vents. Eventually, your furnace may shut down completely. 2 Odd noises from the furnace: Another common sign of an overheating blower motor is that you may notice loud humming and other weird sounds coming from the furnace. Often, this is because the motor has the power to start, but something is causing a block. This leads to overheating and the loud noises coming from your furnace. 3 Furnace shutting down and refusing to start: A common sign of overheating is the furnace shutting itself down. If your furnace requires you to reset before you can use it, you may be dealing with an overheating blower motor.
How to tell if blower motor is overheating?
If your blower motor is overheating, then you may notice a burning smell coming from the vents. Eventually, your furnace may shut down completely. Odd noises from the furnace: Another common sign of an overheating blower motor is that you may notice loud humming and other weird sounds coming from the furnace.
Why does my furnace make a loud noise?
Often, this is because the motor has the power to start, but something is causing a block. This leads to overheating and the loud noises coming from your furnace. Furnace shutting down and refusing to start: A common sign of overheating is the furnace shutting itself down.
Why is my HVAC motor not venting?
Dirt buildup: Dirt and dust may build up around the motor with time. This will cause the motor to be unable to vent itself, leading to an increase of heat. The easiest way to deal with this is to schedule professional HVAC maintenance as advised by your technician. They will carry out some cleaning tasks to ensure that there is no buildup or dirt around your motor.
