If your furnace won’t turn on, you’re probably wondering what causes a furnace circuit board to fail. As one of the most trusted residential and commercial HVAC companies in Massachusetts, Green Energy Mechanical Inc. can help fix your circuit board issues and keep your furnace running longer.
What Is the Furnace Circuit Board?
Also called the furnace control board, the furnace circuit board acts as the command center for your furnace. Containing a network of circuits, it controls functions like the flame sensor, motor, gas valves, and more to help your furnace run safely and as intended. In newer HVAC systems, the board integrates with the air conditioner, providing one centralized component for your entire system.
Why the Control Board Fails
The HVAC control board is vulnerable to several types of damage, including the following:
- Power surges: You might not always notice a power surge if it doesn’t cause your lights to flicker or cut out. However, it can still covertly damage the furnace control board or destroy the fuse.
- Stuck switches: Kind of like a train station that switches its tracks based on the incoming train, the control board contains miniature switches that send power to various components. They can stick open or closed due to dirt, loss of their protective coating, or warping.
- Transistor problems: The transistor is important for turning the electrical circuits on and off. Since they deal with so much electricity, they’re often the first part of the control board to break.
- Loose wires: Your furnace vibrates slightly whenever it’s in use. Over time, this can shake loose the wiring, which causes an electrical short. Try resetting the circuit breaker, and if that doesn’t work, call for repairs.
- Wear and tear: If your control board quit working from old age, it’s often more affordable to replace the entire furnace rather than constantly repair the control board.
Signs You Have a Faulty Control Board
Whether you have an energy-efficient furnace or otherwise, you can look for a few common signs your control board requires repairs or replacement. Now that you know what causes a furnace circuit board to fail, you know you have a problem if:
- Your HVAC system runs intermittently or stops functioning completely.
- Your furnace doesn’t work even after resetting it.
- You notice the warning lights on the furnace’s diagnostic system.
- You can’t keep your room adequately heated, or the real temperature is different than your set temperature.
- You see visible damage to the board.
How To Maintain Your Control Board
You can help avoid damage to your control board using the following tips.
Regular Maintenance
Scheduling annual maintenance is the best thing you can do for your furnace’s circuit board and your HVAC system in general. Most experts suggest scheduling maintenance for the fall right before you use your furnace the most. Some homeowners schedule a second maintenance in the spring to determine how much wear and tear the device suffered over the winter.
During maintenance, your technician will clean the furnace (preventing dirt buildup), tighten any loose connections, and identify any minor problems before they become too severe.
Whole-Home Surge Protectors
Since a power surge can damage more than just your furnace, you should consider purchasing a whole-home surge protector. While you might use smaller versions that plug into your wall, your larger appliances, like HVAC devices, fridges, and dryers, generate too much power for those smaller protectors.
While installing a surge protector can have a considerable expense, it’s nothing compared to the cost of replacing multiple appliances after a severe power surge.
Replace the Air Filter
Accumulating dust and dirt leaves your control board vulnerable to damage. The primary way to keep debris out of your furnace is by regularly changing its air filter.
Depending on the type of filter you use, you should change or clean it every 30 days. Some premium filters last up to 90 days. If you smoke, have pets, have respiratory concerns, or live in a polluted area, you should change it more frequently.
Moderate Your Usage
The more you use your furnace, the faster it wears out. That’s especially true for the control board, as it’s central to everything the furnace does. If you can avoid using your furnace, do so.
Call Green Energy Mechanical Inc. for Furnace Help
Now that you know what causes a furnace circuit board to fail, you know when to call our team at Green Energy Mechanical Inc. for help. Whether you have an old gas furnace or a modern high-efficiency one, we can solve every problem with our expert knowledge and extensive experience.
To schedule your appointment, call 877-564-9279 today!
