Gas furnaces are among the best ways to heat your home in winter. Still, even these sturdy and long-lasting appliances may need occasional furnace repairs, especially if they’re poorly maintained. Use the guide below to identify typical issues with your home heating system and have them quickly fixed. 

Why You Might Need Furnace Repairs

1. Dirty Air Filters

Clean air filters are essential to your furnace’s well-being, since they protect your unit from sucking in dust, dirt, hair, and other debris. If they become clogged, your furnace won’t be able to efficiently draw air, forcing it to work harder in order to heat your property to your desired temperature. This struggle causes premature wear on parts and can eventually lead to overheating and failure. Change them at least every 90 days and check them monthly to see if they need to be replaced more frequently. Make sure you’re using filters with the appropriate minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV), as if it’s too high this can also restrict air flow. Most homes function best with MERV ratings of eight to 11, but talk to your furnace professional about what’s best for you.  

2. Malfunctioning Pilot Light or Ignition 

If the automatic ignition or pilot light on your furnace isn’t working, your home won’t have heat. Sometimes this can be easily fixed by cleaning the heater and removing dirt or dust accumulation on the thermocouple sensor. However, if this doesn’t get it to light, call an HVAC contractor. The sensor may be malfunctioning or there could be an incorrect mixture of gas and air. Both issues require more experienced hands to prevent an accident. 

3. Broken Thermostat

Gas furnace thermostats may last for a long time without issue, but they can eventually malfunction. When this happens, the device won’t be able to communicate with your heater effectively. The clearest indication of a problem is that the display won’t turn on even after changing the batteries. You might also notice the temperature on the device varies considerably from the temperature inside your home. Your unit might have a wiring defect that prevents it from turning the system on or off. Call a professional for rewiring or other furnace repairs. 

Whether you need scheduled or emergency furnace repairs, the team at Rochester Heating & Cooling will help. Since 2003, they’ve provided HVAC repairs, maintenance, and installation services to homes and businesses throughout Monroe County, NY. This company is a proud Amana® dealer, offering a complete line of heating equipment to meet your needs. Call them today at (585) 458-3700 to schedule a consultation. Visit their website to learn more about their services.