Why Won’t My Furnace Stop Running?

Is your furnace blowing air without pause? If so, you’re probably feeling a bit concerned. First, your Davidson house most likely feels like an oven. On top of that, your utility bill will be considerably higher with your furnace constantly running. Believe it or not, this is a fairly common problem our professionals at Griffin Heating & Air Conditioning see frequently, so you don’t need to worry.

Before calling in a professional, check these three things:

1. Be sure you have the right thermostat settings.
Be sure your thermostat is set to a reasonable temperature. ENERGY STAR® recommends keeping it 8 degrees Fahrenheit cooler when you are sleeping during the winter to save on utility costs. If you set your thermostat to ultra-high temperatures, this may cause it to run constantly. Additionally, be sure to set your thermostat to Auto instead of On. The On setting causes it to run constantly, instead of incrementally.

2. Check the filter.
If you haven’t changed your furnace filter in a while, this could be the source of the problem. Over time, dust and debris clog your filter. This constricts airflow, which means the furnace has to work extra hard to maintain the desired temperature in your North Carolina home. Depending on how clogged the filter is, it may have your unit running nonstop.

3. Check the pilot light.
If the pilot light underneath the furnace is out, it can’t generate heat. In many cases, this causes your furnace to run continuously, because it can’t reach the desired temperature. If the pilot light goes out again, call one of our knowledgeable and highly trained experts.

If none of the previous steps worked, schedule a repair with us at Griffin Heating & Air Conditioning. Here are three potential problems requiring our professional help:

1. Leaky ducts
If any of your ducts are punctured or blocked, this means heat isn’t being circulated properly. You’re losing heat and losing money through your utilities at the end of the month. One of our professionals can run a thermal analysis to determine the location of the leaks and repair your ductwork.

2. Broken fan motor
When your fan motor is obstructed, broken, or otherwise faulty, it can’t operate at full capacity. That means it has to run continuously to reach the set temperature. Unusual noises from your furnace are a sign you have a broken motor.

3. Thermostat malfunction
Your thermostat is the brain of the operation. When it sends the wrong information to your furnace, a number of things can go bad. You could have a broken relay switch, or your thermostat could be producing an inaccurate temperature reading.

Contact Us for All Your Furnace Needs

We want our neighbors here in Davidson, NC, to come to a happy, healthy furnace every night this season. To restore your unit to optimal condition, call us at Griffin Heating & Air Conditioning at 704-873-1749 or request service online today.