What Happens If Your Furnace Breaks Down?

Unusual Noises

• Furnaces should operate quietly most of the time, and although you should hear the blower turn off an on during operation, there shouldn't be much noise aside from that. If a normally quiet furnace starts making unusual noises such as hissing or loud banging, it needs immediate inspection and service. Failure to get the problem diagnosed and fixed often results in worse damage over time, and you might need to have your entire furnace replaced. Listen to the furnace operation regularly so unusual noises are diagnosed in the early stages.

Loss of Heat

• A furnace experiences a loss of heat if the thermostat starts malfunctioning, parts in the system become clogged or there is a leak that interferes with the furnace's burning processes. Always check the thermostat first if the furnace isn't providing its usual amount of heat and see if a thermostat adjustment fixes the issue. The furnace might need a thorough cleaning to improve its burning efficiency. But a severe lack of heat indicates a more serious problem, and the furnace likely will stop working entirely soon if it is not fixed.

Breaker Shutdown

• An electrical shortage in the thermostat or elsewhere in the system potentially results in an overload. The house breakers shut off by design in the event of power surges to reduce the risk of an electrical fire. If your house loses power once the furnace is turned on or once the blower starts operating, an electrical shortage is a likely culprit. The furnace itself is not the only potential culprit for breakers shutting off, and you might have something else plugged into the same circuit drawing too much power. Inspect the furnace under these circumstances to ensure that it is not breaking down on you.

Carbon Monoxide Leaking

• As a furnace breaks down, it usually stops burning as cleanly as it usually does. As a result, more gas byproducts are released into the air. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that is toxic when inhaled. Carbon monoxide detectors are important to home safety if you use a furnace because it offers an early warning system in the event a furnace breaks down and starts releasing dangerous levels of carbon monoxide into the air. If you suspect a carbon monoxide leak, turn off the furnace and open all the doors and windows in the area to ventilate the house. Have the furnace inspected and repaired by a professional before using it again.