Like any major appliance or household mechanical system, you take your gas furnace for granted. It’s only when there’s a problem that you start searching the internet to see what’s going on. While there are a lot of things that can go wrong with your furnace, we’ve pulled together the top 5 most common problems.

Some of these you can fix yourself, but the majority will require furnace repair by trained heating repair professionals. Keep reading to learn more.

#1: Furnace Not Turning On

Is your furnace not kicking on when the temperature drops? It could be something as simple as checking your thermostat. Is the toggle switch on the programmable thermostat set to Heat? Or if you have an older thermostat, have you set the temperature to warm the house? Go check your thermostat before you call for repairs.

Another possibility is that your furnace is not getting power. Check your circuit breaker box for a flipped switch. There should be one that is clearly marked “Furnace.” If the switch has tripped and flipped to OFF, toggle it to the correct ON position. If the furnace stays on, it may have just been a fluke. However, if the circuit breaker trips again, you should call an electrician to troubleshoot the issue.

Lastly, check to see if the furnace is plugged in. It’s a remote possibility that it somehow came unplugged. There should be a dedicated outlet for your furnace.

If any one of these things is keeping your furnace from turning on, you can solve the problem yourself.

#2: Furnace Blowing Cold Air

Another common furnace problem is when the furnace is blowing cold air rather than warm air. Again, check your programmable thermostat to ensure that you have the unit set to Heat rather than “Fan”. If the fan is always on, it will blow air whether the furnace is running or not.

Another reason it may seem the furnace is blowing cool air is because you have a dirty or clogged filter. It’s important to change your furnace filter every 30 days, or less frequently if you use high-efficiency filters. Clogged filters make your furnace work harder, which can lead to costly repairs.

If the heat setting and filter are fine, you should probably call and schedule a furnace repair appointment. A repair technician will troubleshoot the problem, which could be anything from a dirty flame sensor to an ignitor issue to a problem with the gas line if you have a gas furnace. With an electric furnace, the problem could be a malfunctioning heating element.

#3: Furnace Leaking Water

If you have a puddle of water coming from beneath your furnace, don’t panic. Some higher-efficiency HVAC systems have a cooling feature and PVC pipes that channel the water created during the heating and cooling process to the drain underneath the furnace. The puddle of water likely means you have a clogged condensate line or a clogged drain, or both. A furnace repair technician can solve the problem and make sure there aren’t any other issues while they’re in your home.

#4: Furnace Making Odd Noises

Your furnace will always make a certain amount of noise when it’s operating, and you become used to that. However, if your furnace is making squealing or grinding noises, that’s a cause for concern. Your best bet is to turn the furnace off and call for furnace repair. The issue could be worn ball bearings, a loose or damaged belt, or something else.

#5: You Smell Rotten Eggs

If you suddenly smell the putrid stench of rotten eggs, you have a gas leak. You and your family and pets should leave the house immediately and call the gas company. The gas company will turn off the gas and find the source of the leak. If it’s your gas furnace or gas fireplace, you’ll need to call to schedule repairs.

Our Cockeysville Furnace Repair Experts Are Ready to Help!

If you want to schedule emergency furnace repair, we can help. We can also offer a competitive quote for a new furnace installation. Fill out the contact form to request a quote or service, or call (410) 989-4378 24/7 for immediate help. We serve Cockeysville, Hunt Valley, Pikesville, Sparks, Stevenson, Timonium, and surrounding areas.