Furnace troubles in the middle of winter in Massachusetts can be frustrating – especially when you can’t figure out what the problem might be. One issue that will leave you scratching your head is an overheating furnace.
As the top choice for furnace repair in Canton, MA, we always get calls from homeowners asking, “Why is my furnace overheating?” In this post, we’ll look at the possible causes and what you can do about them.
Warning Signs of an Overheating Furnace
Are you unsure if your furnace is overheating or if you’re dealing with another issue? Check for the following signs:
A Strong Burning Smell
When you notice a burning smell in your home, the default thing is to check the kitchen to see if you forgot to shut off the burners after cooking. If the kitchen isn’t the source, it’s likely coming from the furnace. This is especially true if the smell strengthens as you get closer to the furnace.
If the smell lasts over half an hour, you’re probably perceiving the smell of burning components in an overheating furnace.
Strange Furnace Noise
As components burn out due to overheating, your furnace may go from giving off that low, steady hum to making clanging and banging sounds. These sounds may also happen if your furnace has other mechanical issues. Either way, it’s worth checking out.
Unexpected Shut Downs
Modern furnace systems come equipped with safety sensors designed to shut down your furnace automatically in the event of problems like overheating. The system will also refuse to turn back on until it sufficiently cools down.
If the overheating continues, the furnace may lock you out until you call a technician to complete a hard reset.
Common Reasons Your Furnace Is Overheating
If you’re asking, “Why is my furnace overheating?” the answer is usually one of the following:
Old Age
Modern high-efficiency furnaces are highly durable and can last up to 20 years with some maintenance. If you just moved into a new home, it’s highly likely that the furnace system is already too old. You can find an estimate of the furnace’s age by researching the model number online.
Alternatively, you can call a professional HVAC technician to evaluate the furnace and tell you if it’s too old.
Blocked Vents
Did you close some vents around your home to better control the temperature in some parts of your home? Your furnace may be overheating because you’ve closed off too many vents. All the hot air has to go somewhere. Otherwise, the pressure will overwhelm the furnace system.
You can solve this problem by opening the vents and using the thermostat to control the temperatures.
Damaged Components
A furnace is a complex system with many delicate internal components. Some of these components breaking down can cause the furnace to overheat.
For example, the blower motor failing or malfunctioning will mean that the bulk of the heat your furnace generates cannot go anywhere. This will cause many issues, including furnace overheating.
The best solution for this issue is to call a knowledgeable technician to evaluate the system, find the affected components, and implement a repair plan.
Dirty Furnace Filter
Your furnace filter helps trap lint, dust, and other airborne contaminants. When it has trapped far too much dirt and debris, it won’t allow the free flow of air.
The reduction in the volume of fresh air entering your furnace will cause the system to overheat. The bulk of the heat from combustion will just sit there with little air coming in.
Short Cycling
Short cycling happens when the furnace shuts down before it has had the chance to deliver warm air to your home. Since it didn’t complete the cycle, it will restart a few minutes later, only to shut down again.
When this happens too many times, the system will end up overheating. The most common causes of overheating due to short cycling include problems with the heat exchanger and airflow blockages.
An HVAC technician will evaluate your furnace and tell you why it’s short cycling.
Book a Fast and Efficient Furnace Repair Service Today
An overheating furnace is more than a minor inconvenience. It doesn’t just leave your home uncomfortably cold in the winter months; It may also cause carbon monoxide poisoning if the overheating is due to a cracked heat exchanger.
Remember, the heat exchangers in furnace systems are slightly different from the heat exchangers in boiler systems. So, if you find yourself asking, “Why is my furnace overheating?” you need to schedule a consultation with experienced technicians.
Call Green Energy Mechanical Inc today in Canton, MA, at (877) 564-9279 to get started.
