Gas furnaces are a blessing in winter months. These heating systems are rigid and long-lasting units but they can run into problem, especially if their maintenance is ignored. One common issue is the gas furnace running constantly. In a way, a gas furnace runs constantly that it’s powered on, but it must cycle on and off at regular intervals or as required to function properly. If it’s not cycling on and off twice or thrice an hour for 10-20 minutes each then, there is a problem and you should call in HVAC repair services. If you want to know how you can troubleshoot a furnace that’s not cycling off at all, then follow below.
Fixing A Gas Furnace That’s Running Non-Stop
Clean Or Replace The Furnace Filters
The first thing you should do if you observe your gas furnace running constantly is check the air filters. Air filters, as the term suggests, are components that are designed to filter air as it enters the furnace. Over time, they get clogged with the dirt and dust they block out of the furnace and your house.
When the furnace filters get clogged, it becomes harder for the furnace to work because it’s practically choked and receiving less air than required. So, the furnace will work harder. It will wear the components, which will reduce its life. Plus, the unit will also consume more gas that will cause an increase in the bills.
A normal gas furnace cycle runs for around 10 to 20 minutes. If you observe that your gas furnace is running for prolonged periods, it means something is impeding the unit’s performance. So, you should clean the furnace filters. As a general rule of thumb, cleaning HVAC filters once a month is a good habit. However, keep in mind that you will need to replace the filters at some point as well.
There are many types of filters and their lifespan varies. So, if you want to know when to change your HVAC filters, you should consult the air filter manufacturer or a furnace technician.
Inspect And Clean The Gas Burners
Dirty gas furnace burners are another reason your gas furnace might be running constantly. With time, the gas burners are also bound to collect dirt, dust, and debris which makes regular operations relatively complicated. Not only that, the burners become covered with spider webs and soot that could also result In fire.
If you wish, you can clean the gas furnace burners by investing in the right tools and techniques. But you should also keep in mind that furnace burner assembly can be a risky component to deal with. You can easily end up damaging the furnace or sustaining injury. This is why you should wear protective gear and learn the right techniques if you want to do it yourself, otherwise, consult an expert.
How to know that the furnace burners are clogged? When the gas furnace runs normally, you will see steady blue flames from all the burners. But if you notice yellow or weak flames, it means there is incomplete combustion that needs to be checked.
Inspect The Ductwork
No matter how much it is stressed by experts, the majority of homeowners still fail to realize the importance of a well-maintained ductwork system. During the winter season, rats, birds, and other animals tend to find shelter for themselves. Since the ducts transport hot air, it is not surprising to see uninvited guests taking up accommodation inside the duct system. That could also be the case if your gas furnace has been sitting dormant for a while.
If the ductwork is cracked or damaged from somewhere, it will leak hot air. As a result, the gas furnace will run longer than usual to make up for the loss.
At this point, the unit does not know that air is being leaked. It will simply continue working since the desired temperature is not being achieved.
If you detect the cracks and damages and they are minor, you can cover them using duct tape. However, if the damage happens to be big, you should get the duct system thoroughly checked and repaired by an expert.
Check The Thermostat For Issues
Modern gas furnaces come with pre-installed and programmed thermostats that keep track of the outside temperature and help adjust the indoor temperature accordingly. This allows the unit to be a lot more effective and efficient. But thermostats can get faulty as well so you should inspect it and have an expert check it.
If your gas furnace was recently serviced, it could be that the thermostat lost its calibration. To recalibrate it, you will need to consult an expert.
However, if the gas furnace is old and you have installed an aftermarket thermostat, its batteries may be dead. Try replacing the batteries to see if the issue gets fixed. If not, you will need to replace the thermostat.
Is The Furnace Undersized For Your House?
If you opt for a gas furnace that is too small, it will have a hard time achieving the desired temperature. Because of being undersized, it will keep running to warm up the house without the regular cycling on and off.
This is why it’s vital that you measure the dimensions of the area that the gas furnace will warm up and pick an option accordingly. But as you already have an undersized furnace, the only option is to replace it with a correct-sized unit.
Schedule Gas Furnace Maintenance
Lack of maintenance is one of the top reasons gas furnaces run into problems. Many homeowners believe that if a gas furnace is working fine, it does not need maintenance. They only come to realize it when their furnace runs into problems and requires expensive repairs and replacements.
But as you know, prevention is better than cure and you should be a step ahead in keeping your unit running smoothly. Otherwise, you will have problems to deal with sooner than you think.
And, while professional maintenance is one thing, you should also keep an eye out for unusual signs in the meantime and perform regular inspections and cleaning. Professional maintenance is supposed to be done once every 3 months or more based on the usage frequency. This does not mean the unit is left ignored in between. Since you will be relying on it during the winter season, you need to be a bit vigilant.
Replace The Furnace
Another important thing you need to keep in mind when it comes to a gas furnace running constantly is the age factor. Gas furnaces are designed to last several years as long as they are maintained properly. But even then, there will come a time when you will need to replace them. If your furnace is 15-20 years old, it may need to be replaced.
Frequent repairs and replacements will make it a lot more difficult for the unit to operate. In such a case, you should consider buying a replacement.
Conclusion
There are many things that can cause a furnace to run constantly. So, if you have some time, you can go though each and try to fix the problem. However, it’s always a better idea to involve reputable furnace repair services Tysons Corner. They have experts who will carefully inspect your gas furnace and determine the cause of the problem and fix it. In the process, if they find any, they will also fix brewing problems that have the potential to damage the system if ignored. Lastly, carry out your DIY maintenance as well by keeping the furnace filter and the furnace clean.
