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What’s Wrong with My Furnace?

A person in a red shirt is working on a furnace, inspecting and repairing parts.
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There is something wrong with your furnace but you aren’t sure what it is. When you call Presidential Heating & Air Conditioning the more information you can give the customer service rep on the phone, the better prepared your HVAC technicians will be to fix the issue when they arrive at your Gaithersburg-area home.

Below we have compiled a list of common problems our HVAC technicians see on their many furnace repair calls. See if any of these resemble your issue and try our DIY tips to see if they fix the problem.

Furnace isn’t turning on

Doesn’t it seem like it’s always on one of the coldest days in Gaithersburg that you get up in the morning to discover your furnace won’t turn on? Of all the problems you could have with your furnace, this is the worst. Not only are you cold, but you’re now concerned about the prospect of needing a furnace replacement. But that may not be the case.

When your furnace won’t turn on, it’s a good idea to start with the most elementary fix — check to see if the circuit breaker is tripped. If it is, you may want to eventually call for service to find out why your furnace is tripping the circuit breaker, but in the interim, at least you can get your furnace working again.

Other reasons your furnace won’t turn on could include a faulty ignition switch, the pilot light has gone out, or the blower motor has stopped working. In any of these situations, you’ll want to contact Presidential Heating & Air Conditioning right away for furnace repair.

Furnace is blowing cold air

If the airstream coming out of your vents is weak or cool, the first thing you want to check is your air filter. A dirty air filter can seriously impede your furnace from doing its job of heating your home. If you don’t have another air filter on hand, remove the dirty one and see if the problem resolves. If it does, run down to the store and get more filters so that you are not operating your furnace without a filter.   You should not run your furnace without a filter as dirt and dust will blow into your home, making a mess and exacerbating conditions such as asthma and allergies.

Another possible reason for a furnace blowing cold air is clogged gas lines. If there isn’t enough fuel feeding your furnace, the air won’t be warm enough. Problems with the pilot light or a buildup of dirt inside your furnace can also affect its operation. Issues concerning your gas lines and the inner workings of your furnace should only be addressed by a professional HVAC repair tech.

Furnace keeps turning off and on

You know how often your furnace usually comes on, although it might be more or less frequently depending on the temperature outdoors. However, if you notice it’s coming on more often, running for shorter periods without reaching the temperature you have set the thermostat — something is wrong.

One reason for a short cycle is, again, that dirty filter. A dirty filter prevents the furnace from blowing the hot air into the ducts, so the unit shuts down quickly to prevent overheating.

A clogged vent is another reason your furnace might be turning off and on frequently. Check the pipes to see if a rodent or bird has built a nest in there, or if some other object is blocking the airflow.

If neither of these is the issue, it could be something more complicated, and it’s best to call our Gaithersburg HVAC company.

Furnace makes a weird noise

Furnaces can make a wide range of worrisome noises, including knocking, clicking, humming, rumbling, popping, buzzing, and whining. None of these is a good sign.

When you get regular furnace maintenance from Presidential Heating & Air Conditioning every fall and spring, you are less likely to run into a problem with your furnace making an unwelcome noise. That’s because, during these service calls, we check all the parts on your furnace and replace any that are worn as well as oil the moving parts. If the ball bearings or other parts have not been oiled in years, they may eventually start making scraping sounds or high-pitched squealing noises.

Other reasons for your furnace making unusual noises include problems with the blower motor, burners, heat exchanger, or lose parts causing vibrations. While your furnace making a noise is not always an emergency, you shouldn’t wait to call for HVAC service. If you wait, your furnace may break down in the middle of the night or on the weekend. It’s best to get the issue looked at as soon as possible. If, however, you do experience a breakdown during the night or over the weekend, Presidential Heating & Air Conditioning is here for you with our 24/7 Emergency Service.

Best furnace repair in Gaithersburg

When you call for furnace repair, you want it done quickly and you want it done right. The best way to assure this outcome is to call an HVAC company with years of experience and a good reputation in the community. Presidential Heating & Air Conditioning has been serving the Gaithersburg area for40 years and we have a 4.9-star rating on Google with nearly 700 reviews, so you know you can trust us.

When you need furnace repair, furnace installation, furnace replacement, or furnace maintenance in the Gaithersburg area call Presidential Heating & Air Conditioning.

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