The weather has turned chilly and you are excited to turn the furnace on in your Benton, Kentucky, home, only to find that it isn’t working! What could be wrong? Furnaces use fuel sources such as gas or electricity to warm your home, and there could be a myriad of reasons why your furnace isn’t running properly. Here are three reasons why your furnace may be malfunctioning:

Ignition Issues

The furnace in your home needs an ignition system to fire it up so it can deliver heat. If you have an older model furnace that uses a pilot light and it will not stay lit, there could be a problem with the thermocouple or a clogged orifice. If you have an electronic igniter, there could be a problem with the temperature limiting switch. If you suspect there is an issue with the ignition, call us immediately for repairs.

Heating Issues

If your furnace is not sufficiently heating your home, make sure and check the thermostat. It should be set to “heat” and the fan setting should be set to “on." You can try raising the temperature about five degrees and see if more heat begins to come through. Check that your vents and registers are open and clear of any obstacles that may be restricting airflow. If you have a furnace that is over 15 years old, you may wish to replace it with a newer energy-efficient model.

Motor and Blower Issues

If the circuit breaker that runs the furnace keeps tripping, there could be a problem with an electrical overload, or If there is no warm air entering your home, the blower belt could be frayed or broken. Sometimes a worn out motor can become overheated and it will seize up and stop working completely. One of the reasons a motor may malfunction is by poor airflow which can be caused by dirty air filters. It is recommended to clean or change your air filters at least once a month.

If your furnace is malfunctioning, call Thornton Heating & Air today at 270-753-8181 or 270-247-COOL.

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