The furnace is designed to warm the air in your home by running it over a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger “exchanges” heat produced by the furnace’s heating element to the air.
While some furnaces stop producing warm air when they fail, others can fail by constantly running.
If your furnace constantly runs, it may be due to one or more of the following problems.
Clogged Ducts
Your furnace may constantly run if the air ducts are clogged.
Air must flow through the ducts to reach the heat exchanger. When the air ducts are clogged, the heat exchanger won’t receive an adequate amount of air. As a result, your furnace will constantly run as it struggles to achieve the temperature for which you set the thermostat.
If your air ducts are clogged, you’ll need to unclog them.
Depending on where they are located, you may be able to clean them yourself. Of course, there are professional heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system professionals who offer duct cleaning services as well.
Dirty Air Filter
A dirty air filter can have a similar effect on your furnace as clogged ducts.
Air filters are located before the heat exchanger. If the filter is dirty, less air will pass through it. The presence of dirt and dust within the filter’s fibers will restrict airflow. Therefore, the heat exchanger may not receive a sufficient amount of air.
Fortunately, changing the air filter is a simple task that doesn’t require a professional.
Locate the air handler, and in this area you should find the air filter. Remove the old air filter and replace it with a similar-sized filter. Air filters can be purchased from most home goods and tools stores.
Broken Fan Limit Switch
If the fan limit switch is broken, your furnace may constantly run.
The fan limit switch is an electrical device that determines when the furnace’s blower fan turns on and turns off.
A broken fan limit switch can result in one of two things: the blower fan not running at all, or the blower fan constantly running.
If the latter occurs, you may need to replace the fan limit switch so that your furnace turns on and off at the right times.
A functional furnace is your first line of defense against of the cold winter weather. If it constantly runs, it will perform poorly while increasing your home’s heating costs in the process.
If you are experiencing a problem with your air conditioning or heating call us at 512-336-1431 to schedule an appointment. We’ll be glad to come out and take a look at the issue.
1431-183 A/C & Heating proudly serves Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Leander, Liberty Hill, and North Austin.
