Top 4 Furnace Problems You are Likely to Encounter this Winter

The winter season in North America is almost here, and you are probably thinking about your furnace. It is crucial to check the condition of appliances that help maintain warmth in your home. As practical as it is, a furnace may encounter hiccups that hinder it from functioning well during the cold season. However, the secret to staying comfortable throughout winter is by keeping in mind predicaments that will prompt your furnace to malfunction. We have compiled a list of the top four furnace issues you will likely experience during this winter.

Furnace Overheating

A person in a uniform works on an outdoor air conditioning unit attached to a building. They adjust components, with tools visible nearby, possibly addressing one of the top furnace problems you're likely to encounter this winter. The scene suggests maintenance or repair activity.

A furnace can overheat due to dirty internal components or restricted airflow. Other reasons include short cycles, a mechanical failure, or a broken glass regulator. Age can also be a problem, with most HVAC systems having a lifespan of about 15-to-20 years. Overheating can damage the entire system within a blink of an eye.

Luckily, when you know the signs of overheating, you can easily detect it earlier and call a technician. The primary indications are a strange humming noise and a constant burning aroma. You may also notice that it turns off before one complete cycle is over. It is crucial to fix the problem immediately to avoid damage to the entire system.

Due to the hazardous nature of mechanical and electrical components in the unit, we do not recommend fixing it ourselves. All you need to do is turn off the unit’s power and call a professional HVAC technician. Heating and cooling contractors can quickly diagnose the issue with your furnace. They will repair or replace the components or the whole unit safely and effectively.

Producing Humidity in Air

A furnace that produces humid air is a red flag, especially if the filters are dirty and the thermostat is not functioning correctly. Several issues can cause this malfunction. One, the pilot light may have gone out if your furnace is older than 15 years. A pilot light is a small flame that aids in lighting the burners in your furnace.

You can follow the manufacturer’s instructions to relight it. However, it is much safer to contact an HVAC professional, especially if you don’t understand the instructions clearly. A trained technician can detect even a more prominent issue like the pilot’s light’s thermocouple damage.

Another cause of a furnace producing blowing humid air is a dirty flame sensor. Wondering what a flame sensor is? Well, it is used in place of a pilot light to keep your furnace burning after it is turned off. When dirty, it can cause blowing of cold air. You can avoid this by ensuring yearly cleaning and maintenance of your flame sensor via furnace tune-ups.

Energy Bills Rising

Have you noticed an increase in energy bills? Your furnace could have an issue. A dirty filter or lack of maintenance can make your unit work more than it should to function. While most people ignore this rise in bills, it could get worse and more expensive over time if not fixed.

You need to call a technician to inspect your furnace. They will check whether everything is working well and fix what isn’t. In the case of a dirty filter, you can have them clean it or replace the components. If there are other issues, the technician will advise you on repairing or replacing your furnace.

An older furnace can also lead to high energy bills every month due to inefficiency. This calls for a replacement with a modern one.

Unusual Noises

Furnaces produce some sounds while they operate. For instance, the thermostat makes clicks when it reaches a specific temperature and signals the furnace. As the air travels through the ductwork, you are also likely to hear some noises.

However, any strange noises should be inspected immediately for safety. A loose screw could cause a rattling noise, while a scraping noise predicts an issue with the blower. Various problems can cause a banging noise, with a cracked heat exchange being the worst one.

If you hear any of these noises, we recommend calling an HVAC professional to inspect the entire unit. They can easily detect the cause of strange sounds and offer a solution to prevent future malfunction or breakdown.

Troubleshooting your Furnace Issues

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While most furnace problems need an inspection from a trained technician, you can solve some cases independently. For instance, if it’s not producing enough heat or it’s not turning on, you can run through several furnace tips to fix it.

Check the Circuit Breaker

Furnaces need electricity to function. In some instances, the circuit breaker may trip and turn off the power in the heating system. Be sure to check your furnace breaker box to ensure it is switched on. If it keeps turning off, you should call a technician to inspect the whole system.

Replace the Filter

A dirty or clogged filter may have a significant effect on your furnace. It would be best to replace it with a new one if it has been a long since you changed it.

Inspect the Thermostat

The thermostat settings could affect the operation of your furnace. Check out to ensure it’s set to heat, the temperature is not too low, and the fun is not on.

Check the Registers and Vents

Ideally, registers and vents that send warm air to every room in your home should stay open. If registers are closed, you can have a problem keeping a room warm. Based on the location of vents and registers, they can accidentally get closed.

If your furnace is running but no warm air is coming out, check if all registers are on. To open up the vents, flip the switch on the side of the furnace.

When you are uncertain about the state of your furnace, you need a certified technician to inspect it. Aquarius Home Services is a professional HVAC company that offers furnace repair services in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Do not hesitate to contact us if your unit is overheating, increased energy bills, producing humid air, or strange noises. Our trained technicians are ready to thoroughly inspect your furnace and advise you on what to do.

Nicholas Kintigh
Nicholas Kintigh
1739846058
Wyatt was very knowledgeable and friendly. He seemed to know what needed to be done and explained everything.
Jodi Powell
Jodi Powell
1739844907
Great customer service!!!! I would highly recommend!!!!
Charlie Cremers
Charlie Cremers
1739835727
Justin from Aquarius Kincetico was great. He was very knowledgeable about our drinking water system, and our water softener system. He walked through everything with me. Thank you again for all your services
Diane Chaussee
Diane Chaussee
1739834775
Derk was so informative and always asked if we had any questions. He answered every question that we asked him. He was pleasant, knowledgeable, and very nice. It was a wonderful experience and we are so happy we have this system now to drink good water! Thank you!!!
Rod S
Rod S
1739831646
Very friendly and knowledgeable. Nick is a great representative of your company.
Jim Molitor
Jim Molitor
1739831493
Very knowledgeable and helpful
J Carroll
J Carroll
1739828599
On time, professional, and efficient. Ryan / Aquarius knows what he is doing!
kurt nyberg
kurt nyberg
1739827475
The people there are supper great and did a great job explaining what we needed to know about it and installing in the time he said
Greg Wax
Greg Wax
1739827456
Rena Shepard
Rena Shepard
1739827174
Anthony was very nice and patient with all. Did a great job and explained everything to me. Thank you
Robert Boyle
Robert Boyle
1739825454
Great and professional installation.
jane larson
jane larson
1739823632
Mike was very thorough and explained everything he was doing. He was a great representative of Aquarius Home Services.
Erik Johnson
Erik Johnson
1739818756
Great service
Maria Fernandes
Maria Fernandes
1739818541
Technician was awesome and did a great thorough job with routine maintenance and system inspection, including taking sensor measurement data at a ceiling vent. World-Class professional knowledge, talent, and technical skill. Thank you, Alec! We look forward to AC inspection in the approaching season, as well...
Gail Brandt
Gail Brandt
1739817675
Gordy provided great service.
Donna Kodet
Donna Kodet
1739810757
Great experience with work done today.Excellent explanations on systemThey were happy to make adjustments as requested. Highly recommend them
Andrew Blattner
Andrew Blattner
1739747698
Great service and experience! Andrew was awesome!
DAN KOLAND
DAN KOLAND
1739683557
Nick repaired our furnace on a Saturday night. He walked me through what was was wrong and had it working after a short period of time. Nick and Aquarius are the best! It would have been a cold night without them.
Christopher Sobraske
Christopher Sobraske
1739658824
Ryan Kahl did a phenomenal job! Extremely knowledgeable about our system and was able to answer all my questions. He was very professional and helpful especially with taking the time to make sure I was 100% confident in our system along with giving me helpful tips above and beyond our system. He really exceeded the value we expected from our service plan.
Corinne Klitzke
Corinne Klitzke
1739645858
Heather Reynolds
Heather Reynolds
1739644317
Max was very helpful!
Bill Enloe
Bill Enloe
1739570182
Pete Hayes
Pete Hayes
1739565324
Was a bit hesitant on keeping up with Kinetico!! But your two service techs ( Justin and Hannah)went above and beyond what I was expecting!! They spent so much energy and information related to my issues , making it a pleasant experience. Like I gained two new friends. Plus explained how a different service should take care further issues. Definitely would like to see them for my next service!!! Even got my wife back on board. Thanks again. Pete Hayes
Debbie Doyle
Debbie Doyle
1739561479
Aquarius came out this morning and replaced two toilets and did some plumbing work downstairs all in one morning. The plumber, Joe, was efficient, answers questions, provided helpful information, and was very friendly and personable. I will DEFINITELY use Aquarius again.
Matt Van Beusekom
Matt Van Beusekom
1739558449
Excellent and efficient work. Would definitely recommend!
Josey Dooley
Josey Dooley
1739557030
Amazing service!
Jessica Tracy
Jessica Tracy
1739556713
Gordon was very friendly and knowledgeable - makes the visit/process so much easier.
James M
James M
1739555300
After months of high water bills and feeling itchy, the Aquarius team came to the rescue. My 25 year old kinetico softener finally gave up and was constantly cycling. At the end of the service call we realized the old unit wasn't worth repairing. They sent out a salesperson the same day, providing a great range of options to fit my price point. My new softener arrived early so we were able to move up the install date. Install was flawless and we're back to having the softest water ever. I'm super happy with every interaction I've had with the Aquarius team. They are all super friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. I rarely leave reviews and only leave them when I'm really impressed. That's definitely the case with this company.
Brian Hagen
Brian Hagen
1739551834
Steve Sherwood
Steve Sherwood
1739551765
Great service. Prompt and knowledgeable
Peter T
Peter T
1739551605
Dirk did a good job communicating and installing the system. Recommend.
Nancy Lahmann
Nancy Lahmann
1739551066
Dylan checked boiler and did a thorough inspection. Very polite. He also knocked off a big ice chunk outside …extra service and much appreciated.
Ann Marie Haerter
Ann Marie Haerter
1739550777
Friendly, efficient, knowledgeable
Kenneth Schwebach
Kenneth Schwebach
1739498359
Great service tec! She was very knowledgeable and helpful.
Neal Kempel
Neal Kempel
1739497034
First, Aquarius responded to my interest in an RO system promptly. After deciding to commit to their solution, the installation, Including a water softner solution, it was scheduled the same week. Michael was the installer and he called when in transit and arrived right on schedule. We went over the work to be done and the placement of the equipment with only one issue that arose. The RO and water softener installation would not be a problem, but plumbing for the outdoor outlets would require additional material and labor, not included in the quote. I was looking forward to using the outdoor faucets without switching the system over. We elected to continue with the installation and Michael kept us informed throughout the day of his progress and completion time. He had everything cleaned up and provided us with a review of the system. To date, we are very pleased with the system and want to thank Michael for a great install. My only recommendation to Aquarius would be to take an additional step, during the initial meeting possibly, and physically look at the plumbing to ensure the quote covers all the materials to meet the customer request.
Jacqueline Garberg
Jacqueline Garberg
1739496644
Wyatt was thorough, considerate, a trusted service professional! Thank you!
Deb N
Deb N
1739489085
Tyler from Aquarius Home Services did a great job! He was extremely knowledgeable and helpful.
Jeffrey Ek
Jeffrey Ek
1739486327
The techs are always very cordial, explain what they are doing, and in and out as quickly as makes sense. Having said that, I’ve never felt that they rushed through their work.
Keith Wolff
Keith Wolff
1739485872
Everything was checked out and explained the tech was very informative would recommend them. Thank you!
Jessica Fisher
Jessica Fisher
1739484813
We have had our Aquarius services longer than a decade. During this time, the equipment has never failed us, but more importantly we have received absolutely outstanding customer service anytime we have needed anything. Today was no different, Wyatt came to our house to do our periodic inspection and was able to help troubleshoot a problem and find a solution the very same day. The entire time he was here, he kept his workspace, clean and orderly, and he was very polite and respectful of our home. The shocker came when he was about to leave and told me this was his fifth day On his own! Very impressed, not only with him as a person, but the quality of employees that come out out of Aquarius. Highly recommend this company.
Jane Ogren
Jane Ogren
1739484717
Friendly and knowledgeable
Mike Gunderson
Mike Gunderson
1739483907
I had an old furnace that was on its last legs and needed to be replaced ASAP.Day one: Service Tech arrived 2 hours after initial contact with Aquarius. Sales Rep arrived within an hour of the request. Deal was made and installation appointment scheduled for the NEXT DAY!Day two: Contacted by the installation team at 7:00 am. Arrived at 7:30. Finished up by 2:30.All of the staff that I dealt with were friendly, professional and great to work with. They explained everything very well. I was expecting to wait 2-3 weeks for a new furnace and A/C. This was all done inside of two days. I would 100% recommend Aquarius to anyone needing any type of home service.Tall Mike, Mike Sippel, Chris Oigard, Dave and Luke it was great to work with you. Thanks for everything!Oh, they like dogs too.
Katie Raymond
Katie Raymond
1739481339
Sue Ufheil
Sue Ufheil
1739471348
Colton was very professional and explained everything he was doing. Very happy with service today.
Jarrod Wieland
Jarrod Wieland
1739470866
James Grant
James Grant
1739469886
Wonderful experience with Andrew & Joey , installed new efficient electric water heater . Courteous , clean , efficient, highly recommended
Jeremy Ruth
Jeremy Ruth
1739468208
Justin and Hana were super friendly and they helped figure out an issue with our RO system. Great appt
James Dixon
James Dixon
1739466779
Creative problem solver, pleasant personality, efficient and cleaned up well.
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