Why Your Heater Won’t Turn Off

As the cold begins to set in, you may find yourself with an unexpected furnace issue on your hands. Years of wear and tear or months of inactivity can cause problems to arise. Fortunately, many of these problems only require a quick repair. One of those issues is when your heater runs constantly.

When your furnace is seemingly always running, there are several potential reasons. Knowing what they are and the proper steps to approach the situation can mean the difference between a cozy winter and an expensive one. Here are five reasons why your heater may still be running.

1. A Blower Fan Motor Issue

The blower fan motor is such an important part of your system. It’s responsible for pushing both hot and cold air through your home. In the winter, this part pulls air in and releases warm air back out.

If you’re having trouble with the blower fan motor, then the fan limit switch is a likely culprit. That is the part that notifies your fan that it’s time to turn off. The problem requires a professional HVAC technician to troubleshoot or to replace this part.

2. Clogged Air Filter

A dirty air filter is a likely cause for many issues related to heating and cooling. It’s your filter’s job to catch all of the particles that are potentially harmful before they circulate through your air conditioner. When your filter goes long periods without cleaning or replacement, it’ll become clogged and restrict air from coming through. That creates a situation in which your furnace is running extremely inefficiently, causing it to run longer. The good news is, if the air filter is the cause of your issue, it’s a relatively quick, easy, and inexpensive fix that you or your HVAC technician can perform within a day.

The following conditions may be the reason while your filter is becoming clogged.

• Heavy smoking
• Several pets
• Small filter
• A lot of dust

3. Malfunctioning Check Valve

Your check valve is responsible for regulating the water that flows through the pipes to prevent overflow or flooding. If this part becomes defective, it could create a situation in which your water heater is continuously on. It’s not a part that malfunctions often, but, when it does, a quick fix from a technician should do the job.

4. Leaky Ducts

When your ducts take in air to be heated and returned to your home, a leak in your ductwork could cause that air to escape prematurely. When that happens, your heater will typically run lower to make up for the air lost before it’s even had a chance to heat your home. Once again, this causes your heater to work longer than it should, lowering your efficiency and costing you money.

It’s also your ducts that will continue to circulate dust and other particles throughout your home, causing trouble for your filter, which can create the issue of it becoming clogged. Consider having your ducts cleaned every once in a while to ensure that this doesn’t happen. In fact, keeping your ducts in good shape will help prevent many HVAC-related issues.

5. Check Your Thermostat

There are several issues involving your thermostat that could cause your heater to not turn off. The first is that perhaps you have not correctly adjusted your settings to do so. Try checking to make sure your thermostat is set to AUTO and not ON. The former will heat your home and then shut off as soon as it reached the desired temperature while the ladder will make your system stay on indefinitely.

Wiring issues or a faulty heating sensor can also cause your heater to consistently run. If you’ve checked your thermostat settings and you believe that they are correct, call a professional to examine your system. Issues that involve wiring and electricity can be extremely complicated and dangerous to tackle and should not be seen as a DIY project.

Your HVAC Specialists

All Temp Co., Inc Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing, & Electrical is conveniently located near the corner of Raceway Dr. and Stough Rd. We strive to offer top-of-the-line heating and cooling service to the citizens of Concord, NC, and the surrounding areas. We also offer energy audits/thermal imaging along with whole-home efficiency testing and wine cellar design. If you feel that your home is in need of a professional’s touch, call us today.