Short cycles, strange smells, and no heat? What gives? At the surface, an overheating furnace may simply seem like an annoyance. But it’s actually a bigger deal than you might think. If your furnace is overheating, the experts at Scott Hale can help you out. Continue reading to learn more about why a furnace overheats and signs you can watch out for.
Furnace Overheating Symptoms
An overheating furnace isn’t normal. In fact, an overheating furnace can cause some pretty serious issues if not dealt with. You might hear odd noises and smell acrid odors, all of which can point toward an overheating furnace. Take a look at the symptoms below:
Odors
This is the most common and obvious sign of an overheating furnace. Sniff around your unit—is there a burning smell near the vents? A burning smell is typically the first sign of an overheating furnace. The furnace emits a burning odor when high temperatures begin damaging the internal parts of the unit.
Noises
Keep an ear out for any loud banging or clanking sounds. A furnace can make these sounds when it overexerts itself. Another reason is that the increased temperatures can cause components to malfunction. If the components get too hot during operation, it can cause loud and alarming sounds.
Turning On and Off
If your furnace only runs for a few minutes, it is likely short cycling. Dirty air filters are usually the cause behind a short-cycling furnace, but other things like a bad flame sensor could be to blame. When the unit cools down, it will start back up before overheating again. This can lead to an indefinite cycle that will use up large amounts of energy.
What Causes a Furnace to Overheat
Understanding the signs of overheating is only half of the equation. It is also important to understand the causes. When you know both, you can find the best solution to fix the problem. Below are the common causes of an overheating furnace.
End of Lifespan
A furnace has an average lifespan of around 15 to 20 years. When it gets old, the internal parts may begin failing. And when the internal parts begin failing, operational issues can cause the entire furnace to overheat. If your furnace is reaching the 15-year mark, we recommend considering a replacement.
Blocked Airflow
Blocked or clogged airflow can almost always be traced back to a dirty air filter. The best way to prevent this is to check your air filter. If it’s extremely clogged, simply replace it. Remember, air filters should be replaced every one to three months or more. That being said, if you’ve replaced your air filter and nothing happened, please call a professional. You might have an obstruction somewhere else.
Short Cycling
As we mentioned, short cycling is another term for when your furnace unit turns on and off too quickly. The quicker on-and-off cycles can cause things like the heat exchanger or motor to overheat. Without resolving this problem, short cycling can permanently damage your furnace.
Dust and Dirt
It’s normal for furnaces to collect dust and dirt. But when too much debris builds up, it can prevent the air exchange and flow. This of course can result in the furnace overheating. That’s why it’s so important to clean debris before it becomes a problem.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a very serious risk. This colorless, odorless gas can leak if the heat exchanger is cracked. As you might already know, carbon monoxide can be fatal if inhaled.
To prevent this, we urge you to install a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is otherwise almost impossible to detect since the gas has no smell. Installing a carbon monoxide detector is a life-saving precaution every household should have.
How Often Should You Change Your Filter
Replacing your filter helps avoid blockages that can restrict airflow, which might lead to overheating. The frequency of filter replacement depends on how many filters are installed in your system. Here’s a general guideline of how often you should replace your filters:
1 or 2 Filters - Every 3 months
4 Filters - Every 6 months
5 Filters - Every year
If you live with pets or a lot of people, then our experts at Scott Hale suggest more frequent filter changes.
How Long Does a Furnace Last?
Depending on how well-maintained they are, furnaces have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years. Routine maintenance and tune-ups can even catch issues early on, preventing further issues down the road.
Not sure if your furnace needs a replacement or a simple repair? Contact our team at Scott Hale. With years of experience, our heating specialists understand the complexities that heating systems can face. We inspect your system fully and provide insight on how to fix certain issues.
How To Fix a Furnace
An overheating furnace is an issue that needs to be fixed fast. Changing the air filter is an easy fix you can do at home, but bigger problems warrant the help of a professional. That's where the furnace specialists at Scott Hale come in.
Our experienced and certified experts perform thorough inspections of your entire heating system. We find and repair small problems before they pose a serious risk to you. With our help, your furnace can operate more efficiently while you save on utility bills.
