Why Did My Furnace Suddenly Stop Working?
If you've found yourself suddenly without heat in the middle of the winter, it can leave you cold and worrying about having your pipes freeze. Since many furnace problems often show symptoms before your furnace goes out, suddenly losing all of your heat can be especially surprising. Here are some of the potential causes and what you can do about them.
Air Filter Problems
The most common cause for a sudden loss of heat is a blocked or clogged air filter. A clogged air filter will prevent air from passing through your furnace, which means that no hot air gets to your home. This can lead to a rapid drop in temperature inside your house.
The first thing to check when you notice a problem with your heating system is whether or not the air filter is plugged up. You should also make sure that there aren't any leaves or other debris stuck in the filter. If you're unable to find anything obstructing the airflow or if your filter keeps clogging during normal use, then it's time to call an HVAC technician to take a look at the issue.
Faulty Thermostat
Thermostats can cause your heat to go out through both user error and mechanical malfunctions. The first thing you always want to check is that no one has changed the temperature or accidentally switched off the thermostat.
Thermostats also have a series of sensitive electric wires that can go bad over time. Every time your thermostat turns your furnace on and off, there's a small electric spark that can eventually wear out the wires or the connecting switches. This problem can be more prevalent if your home is humid.
If your thermostat has gone bad, it might not switch your furnace on, or it might only work some of the time. Replacing your thermostat will get your furnace working again.
Failed Blower Fan
A malfunctioning blower fan could be the cause of your sudden lack of heat. It's possible that your blower fan isn't turning on or that it's not running properly.
Blower fans can fail for a number of reasons. Sometimes they just get dust inside of them and need to be cleaned so they can run freely. Other times, the dust gets inside of the motor and causes it to fail. Fan motors can also fail due to old age and normal wear and tear, so if you've had your furnace for years, it may be overdue for a fan replacement.
To learn more about furnace repair, contact an HVAC contractor in your area.
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