Does your furnace keep shutting off suddenly? Are you experience heating problems?
Is there smoke or strange noises coming from your furnace? Or does it burn fuel much faster than it used to?
If you’ve noticed these furnace issues lately and are wondering what to do about them, we can help. The following guide answers why these issues are happening and what you can do about them. Read on to discover more.
Before You Start Troubleshooting Your Furnace Problems
Here are a few steps that might solve your problems right off the bat. Before you even get started with the troubleshooting steps on this list, try these first.
- Check the thermostat
- Check the fuel level
- Check the air filter
The majority of furnace problems are caused by one of these three issues. If the air filter is full, the fuel level is too low, or the thermostat is set wrong, your furnace won’t work the way you want it to. Also, make sure you have your furnace serviced often enough.
Try addressing these issues first. Then, if the problem persists, continue down this list until you find your specific furnace problem.
1. Smoke Is Coming From Furnace
Excessive smoke emanating from your furnace could indicate a lot of different problems. Often, it’s from a blockage in the system or a damaged/malfunctioning component.
Check if the combustion chamber is uncharacteristically hot. If so, this indicates a blockage. That’s especially true if you see excessive soot or other buildup in and around your furnace, flue, or chimney.
The blockage could be located in the chimney, flue pipe, or anywhere else in the system. Have your furnace inspected by a professional to know for sure.
You should also check the gaskets for signs of warping or cracks. This can happen over time due to the high heat the gaskets are exposed to on a regular basis. Then, the misshapen gaskets get too close to the heat and start smoking.
If you see any such signs, have your gaskets replaced.
2. The Furnace Shuts Off Suddenly
Usually, this problem is caused by a clogged air filter, an empty fuel tank, or an improperly set thermostat. Hopefully, you’ve already addressed these issues as instructed above. If not, do so now.
But if that doesn’t fix the problem, it could be an electrical issue. You can check for any exposed wires, but to fix this, you’ll need to contact a professional, anyway.
3. The Furnace Doesn’t Start
The same causes we described in that last point apply here as well. You could have an empty fuel chamber, a clogged filter, an incorrectly programmed thermostat, or an electrical problem.
In addition, there could be a problem with the pilot light. Perhaps the pilot light is out and/or the igniter isn’t working properly.
Check to see if the pilot light is still burning. If it isn’t, follow these steps to relight it. Also, you should consult your user manual for help if your pilot needs cleaning.
Check the gas valve, too. Perhaps it accidentally got shut off.
If you still can’t get the pilot lit, call a professional. You will probably need to replace the igniter or some other component.
4. The Furnace Burns Up Fuel Too Fast
If your furnace is depleting its fuel supply much faster than it used to, that means it’s working much harder. The problem here is, this could be caused by a malfunctioning component—any malfunctioning component.
For example, your blower motor may need lubricating. Or there could be a clog in the system or too much pressure in the oil pump. Without a professional inspection, it’s difficult to guess where the problem is originating.
In any case, you can start by addressing the 3 main issues at the top of this list. Also, check the oil pump pressure to see if it needs adjusting.
5. Heating Problems
Low heat coming out of the supply vents usually indicates a clogged air filter or some other type of blockage. Also, check the fan/fan belt for damage or just poor functionality. These could need replacing or just lubricating.
The igniter, flame sensor, and draft inducer monitor might also need cleaning or replacing. Check these out and relight the pilot light if necessary.
6. Strange Noises
Lastly, some furnace problems make some very specific noises. Here are a few unusual noises your furnace might be making and what to do about them.
1. Knocking
Knocking usually means that air has gotten into the system where it’s not supposed to be. This can be solved by a technique known as “bleeding.” If you are comfortable doing so, you can follow these steps to bleed air from your furnace lines.
2. Clattering
Clattering indicates a loose component, typically the access panels. Tighten up the access panels and see if this helps. If not, call a professional.
3. Rumbling
When you hear your furnace rumbling, try the reset button to reset the pilot light. If that doesn’t help, have your gas burner professionally cleaned.
4. Whistling
Whistling is usually caused by the air trying to get around your clogged air filter. Change your air filter and the noise should cease.
5. Screeching
Screeching usually comes from the blower motor or one of the belts in your system. To solve this, shut the system down and fix any misaligned, damaged, or broken belts. Also, lubricate the blower motor.
If these steps don’t help, cease use and call a professional to inspect your furnace.
6. Grinding
If you hear grinding, shut your furnace down immediately and call for emergency furnace repair. There are most likely certain metal parts that are grinding against each other. This can cause sparks that can ignite your fuel.
Use This Checklist to Troubleshoot Your Furnace Issues
If you have experienced any of these furnace issues, remember this checklist. Use these steps to fix your oil furnace.
Now, do you have enough fuel in your furnace? If not, contact us here to set up fuel delivery for your home or business.