It’s frustrating when your furnace decides to stop working during the frigid Denver winters. As snow piles up outside and conditions worsen, a non-functioning system with no heat, strange noises, and cycling problems becomes a huge problem. Having a working furnace is a necessity for keeping your family warm and your pipes unfrozen. Perhaps your furnace is making strange noises or is running constantly, but your house still feels like an icebox. Maybe your energy bills have suddenly gone through the roof. If these sound familiar, you’re not alone.
The good news is that knowing the answer to “Why isn’t my furnace working?” often comes down to a few common culprits. While some problems definitely require professional expertise, others can be resolved with some basic troubleshooting. Squeak’s Plumbing, Heating and Air has some tips for furnace troubleshooting in Denver and specializes in Denver furnace repair.
Why Furnace Problems Are Common in Denver
Before we get into some of the common furnace problems in Denver and some prevention tips, it helps to know why furnace problems are common in Denver.
Denver’s climate throws some curveballs at your heating system that other parts of the United States don’t have to deal with. Our high altitude and elevation mean lower air pressure, which affects how efficiently your furnace operates. The dry air we’re also famous for causes furnace components to wear out faster than they would in more humid climates.
Denver is also known for drastic temperature changes. It can be 65°F one day and a blizzard the next. This causes your furnace to constantly adjust and cycle, or turn on and off more frequently. This puts extra wear and tear on system parts like motors, belts, and electrical connections.
Dust is another big factor that comes into play. With our dry air and climate and constant construction in the metro areas, dust accumulates and can get sucked up into your furnace system. Dust particles clog filters and build up on blower motors and other components. A lack of proper maintenance will cause small issues to become expensive problems.
The best way to avoid these problems is to know the best Denver furnace maintenance tips, which you will find below.
Common Furnace Problems and How To Troubleshoot Them
Each common furnace issue in Denver has its own cause and troubleshooting technique.
Problem 1: Furnace won’t turn on
Nothing is worse during the dead of Denver winter than cranking your thermostat and hearing and feeling nothing from your furnace. This could be due to a number of issues, like thermostat malfunctions, power supply problems, or tripped circuit breakers. Let’s walk through some simple checks before assuming the worst:
- Check that the thermostat is set to “heat” mode and the temperature is higher than the current room temperature.
- Check the thermostat’s batteries and replace them to see if that solves the problem.
- Check that the thermostat is level and properly attached to your wall, as a loose connection can prevent it from sending signals to your furnace.
- Check your electrical panel to see if your breaker has tripped. Furnaces use a lot of power to start up in the cold and can flip a breaker.
- Check that the furnace power switch is flipped on.
- Check that the furnace doors are properly closed and latched. Most modern units have safety switches that prevent operation if the access panel isn’t properly secured.
If none of these simple fixes work, you’re probably looking at issues with the ignition system, gas supply, or internal components that require professional attention.
Problem 2: Furnace not heating properly
A furnace not heating properly is usually due to a dirty air filter. When filters get clogged with dust and debris, they stop airflow through the system. Your furnace may be producing plenty of heat, but that warm air can’t circulate effectively through your home. There are some other causes of a furnace blowing cold air in Denver, like blocked vents or pilot light/ignition issues. Still, before calling an HVAC professional to fix a furnace not heating in Denver, do these checks:
- Check your air filter. If you can’t see light through it when you hold it up, it needs to be replaced. You should replace your filter every 1 to 3 months.
- Check the vents and make sure all your vents and registers are open and not blocked by furniture or curtains. Even one or two closed vents can throw off your furnace’s heating balance.
- Check the pilot light if your unit has one. The flame should be steady and blue. If it’s a yellow or flickering flame, this could be a problem with the gas supply or burner that needs professional attention.
- Check the electronic ignition system for electrical furnaces. You might hear clicking sounds when the furnace tries to start, and if the sound of the burners lighting doesn’t follow those clicks, there’s an ignition problem.
- Check that your blower motor is running when the furnace turns on. You should hear the fan running and feel air moving through the vents.
Problem 3: Strange noises from the furnace
Noisy furnace troubleshooting begins by identifying the type of sound you’re hearing, as different noises indicate different problems. These could be loose parts, belt issues, or motor problems.
- Squealing or screeching: These almost always mean belt problems. Either the belt is loose, worn, or needs lubrication. These sounds are often most noticeable when the furnace first starts up.
- Banging or clanking: These furnace noises mean loose parts. Turn off your furnace and make sure that all access panels are properly tightened.
- Rattling: This could be as simple as loose screws on the furnace cabinet or ductwork connections. Give them a tightening with a screwdriver.
- Grinding or scraping: These are among the worst sounds to hear, as they usually mean metal is rubbing against metal somewhere, which can cause significant damage if not addressed quickly. Turn off the furnace and call a technician for help.
- Whistling or humming: This usually points to an airflow problem. Check your filter and make sure all the vents are open. This could also be caused by ductwork or blower motor issues, which require a professional touch.
Problem 4: Furnace short cycling
Short cycling means your furnace is turning on and off without completing a full cycle, which is inefficient and puts unwanted wear on the system. There are some common causes and quick checks below.
- Overheating: When your furnace gets too hot, safety switches will turn it off. This can happen because a dirty filter blocks proper airflow. Check and replace your filter, and make sure nothing is blocking air circulation around the furnace.
- Thermostat issues: If your thermostat is near a heating source, like a light or lamp, or a window with direct sunlight, it can give an improper reading. Move it, calibrate it, and see if that helps.
- Oversized unit: Oversized units heat the space too quickly, then shut off before the air has time to circulate properly. This leaves cold spots and, unfortunately, means you may need a replacement unit.
Problem 5: High energy bills
If your power bill suddenly spikes and you haven’t changed any kind of heating habits, this means your unit is running inefficiently. Follow this checklist when you notice a higher-than-normal power bill.
- Check and replace a dirty air filter.
- Check your home’s insulation and seal any potential air leak points. Sometimes the problem isn’t with your furnace at all, but the heat escaping from your house.
- Check when you last had furnace maintenance, which addresses dirty coils, worn belts, and other maintenance issues that significantly reduce efficiency.
- Check the age of your furnace. If it’s approaching the 15-year mark, declining efficiency is inevitable, and replacement is financially smarter than mounting repair costs.
When To Call a Professional in Denver
While some of the above DIY HVAC troubleshooting fixes in Denver do work, some instances require professional knowledge and repairs.
- Gas issues: Any kind of smell (rotten eggs) or noticeable leak from your gas-powered furnace requires immediate professional attention.
- Electrical issues: If you’ve checked the breaker or switch and there still isn’t any change, there could be an issue with the wiring, which requires professional care.
- Persistent issues: If replacing the filter or resetting a breaker solves the problem temporarily, but the problem comes back within a few days, there’s likely an underlying issue that needs a professional assessment.
Squeak’s HVAC technicians deal with furnace issues daily and have the technical knowledge to find the underlying issues and safety concerns during an annual maintenance visit. It’s also good to have a handle on some of the top signs your furnace is about to fail.
Preventative Maintenance Tips for Denver Homeowners
The best way to prevent costly repairs and furnace emergencies is with proper and routine maintenance checks. Follow these other preventative tips:
- Change your filter regularly (one to three months), and depending on your system and household conditions, this could mean monthly filter changes during heavy use periods in the winter.
- Keep the area around your furnace clean, and make sure nothing is blocking the vents or the unit itself.
- Change your thermostat batteries normally, rather than waiting for them to die.
- Upgrade to a smart thermostat that improves efficiency and helps you spot patterns that might indicate developing problems with your heating system.
Schedule your professional annual maintenance servicing before the busy period in the winter. Fall is usually a good time to get ahead of the heating season. Squeak’s will clean all furnace components, check electrical connections, test safety systems, and flag small problems before they become big ones and result in costly repairs.
Call Squeak’s For Tricky Furnace Problems and Needed Repairs
Homeowners can do a lot for a struggling furnace system by starting with the above simple checks and following the preventative maintenance tips. While many common furnace issues, such as dirty filters, tripped breakers, and thermostat problems, can be resolved without professional help, it’s equally important to recognize when furnace repair is necessary, as this knowledge is crucial for effective system troubleshooting.
Don’t let furnace problems leave you out in the cold this winter. Whether you need routine furnace maintenance services or furnace repair near you in Denver, Squeak’s Plumbing, Heating and Air is here to keep your home feeling warm all year long. Contact us today to schedule your furnace service and guarantee your heating system is ready for whatever the Denver winter throws your way.
