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What You Need to Know About Overheating Furnaces

Mark J. Biel • January 26, 2022

A furnace that runs properly and efficiently during cold weather is invaluable. That’s why you should try to keep tabs on the condition of your furnace, watching for any telltale signs of compromised performance. If your furnace keeps turning off or emits a burning smell, this can only mean the system is overheating. But what exactly is causing this issue, and what can you do about it? The premier heating repair and  air duct cleaning  company, R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, shares what you need to know in this post.

  • Congested filters.  The internal components of your furnace can heat up when airflow is restricted. This is a problem that usually occurs when there’s dirt and debris buildup on the air filters. The impeded airflow will cause your furnace to work harder to distribute heating energy throughout your house, overheating as it does so. 

What to do.  To prevent this, make sure to clean or replace your filters regularly. If the system uses one- or two-inch filters, change them every three months, but if it uses four-inch ones, you can get away with replacing them every six months. Make filter replacement a regular part of your  HVAC maintenance. Of course, the frequency will also depend on whether you have pets or live with a lot of people. You might want to replace your furnace filters sooner than recommended if you do.

  • Dirt in the internal components.  When the air filters get clogged, this allows dust and debris to cover the internal components of your furnace. A grime-coated furnace coil, for example, may prevent the heat exchanger from moving heat, and if the blower motor becomes too dirty, it won’t be able to ventilate itself, causing the furnace to overheat.

What to do.  The furnace motor is particularly sensitive to dirt and grime. If overlooked, dirt buildup can put unnecessary strain on this component. You’ll know the motor is working too hard if you notice a humming sound coming from the furnace. Turn off the system if you hear this noise and call a premier  HVAC repair  company like R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating to perform a thorough checkup and take care of any necessary repairs.

  • Short cycling.  When the furnace turns on and off quickly or switches off prematurely during the heating cycle, this is called short cycling. Short cycling usually occurs when the furnace is too large for your home or when the thermostat is malfunctioning. This can place unnecessary stress on the furnace motors, hampering the way hot air is circulated throughout your house. At the same time, this may cause your furnace to overheat.

What to do.  Having your furnace checked ASAP by an HVAC professional is the way to go. They’ll recommend the most appropriate solution based on what they find.

  • Mechanical failure.  Have you noticed a burning smell when you turn on your furnace? If you haven’t used your heating system for a while, the odor is likely just dust being burned off the furnace. The smell usually goes away after a short while. If it lasts longer than 30 minutes, however, there may be a problem with the wiring and the fan blower. The fact is that these components are subjected to considerable strain. If the wiring short circuits, or the fan blower provides insufficient ventilation, these issues can lead to overheating in your furnace.

What to do.  The simplest and most effective way to keep the furnace components intact is to schedule regular tune-ups by your local HVAC company. When issues are identified early, you can have them mitigated before they have a chance to get worse and cause your heating system to fail. The trained and certified technicians from R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating are committed to providing swift and effective repairs that allow you to get the most out of your furnace’s service life and performance.

What You Can Expect From R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating

The fact is that heating systems can break down anytime. And if your furnace overheats and is left unaddressed, this will not only lead to expensive repair bills, but may result in a carbon monoxide leak, as well. This is because an overheated system may develop cracks in the heat exchanger, allowing exhaust gas to escape and mix with indoor air instead of being directed out the flue pipe.

Troubleshooting the issue on your own doesn’t always work, so why not just call a trusted  HVAC maintenance  professional first thing instead? The good news is that they’re easy to find. For New Mexico and Colorado homeowners, the name they trust is R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating. Here’s what to expect when you choose us to handle your home heating needs:

  • A qualified HVAC company.  R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating is fully licensed in both New Mexico and Colorado. We also have the necessary bonding and insurance, along with workers’ compensation and liability coverage, to ensure your greater protection. These make us eligible to perform extensive HVAC and plumbing services in the Four Corners region.
  • Exceptional workmanship.  At R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, we maintain a high level of professionalism among our staff. All of our installers and technicians are trained on an ongoing basis to provide you with more advanced techniques and solutions. Our technicians are NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified, so you can be sure that any  HVAC repair  or installation we handle will meet stringent quality standards.
  • Access to high-quality HVAC products.  As a Carrier® Authorized Dealer, we can be your single source for everything HVAC. From gas furnaces, heat pumps and ductless systems to air conditioners and indoor air quality options, R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating has got you covered. You won’t just benefit from the optimal comfort our Carrier® products offer, but from the solid warranty coverage included with them, as well.
  • Personalized service.  R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating has served the Farmington, NM, area since 1988, providing top-tier HVAC and plumbing services that remain unrivaled to this day. We know exactly what your comfort needs are, and we’re always ready and available to match you with the solution that best meets them. Because of our customer-focused approach, we can provide you with a more rewarding and positive experience–a commitment that’s reflected in the 5-star reviews we receive locally and on Google, and in the A+ Rating we maintain with the Better Business Bureau®.

Give Us a Call Today!

In addition to reliable  air duct cleaning , R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating can also do furnace repair, installation and maintenance. Expect only the highest-quality service when you choose us for your HVAC needs. We proudly serve Farmington, NM, and the rest of the Four Corners. Call us today at (505) 327-7755 or fill out this  contact form  to schedule your HVAC evaluation. We look forward to hearing from you!

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