As we head into fall and winter, you’ll be turning on your furnace soon. When you turn it on for the first time after it has been off for several months, you may notice changes with how it operates. If this happens, it means that something is wrong with your furnace. 

We are highlighting three common furnace repairs that we see, along with the signs of each one so that you can pay attention to your furnace and schedule repairs sooner rather than later. When you need furnace repair in Clackamas, OR, or furnace service in Oregon City, OR, give our team a call. Prompt service not only keeps your home warm but also improves indoor air quality in Oregon City, OR, and surrounding areas. You can also keep reading to learn more about these common furnace problems, the signs of each one, and what to do when they happen.

Faulty Starter

Your furnace either has an ignition or a pilot light that helps to trigger the heating process. No matter what type of heater you have, the start-up process should never be particularly noisy. If you hear a loud boom or persistent clicking when your furnace first turns on, that’s a problem.

Booming means that your furnace has a delayed ignition. Gas builds up inside the combustion chamber, but it does not ignite right away. More and more gas releases and when the flame finally catches, the excess gas in the chamber creates a small explosion. This process can put a lot of extra strain on your heater which can lead to long-term damage.

And even if you don’t hear a boom, you may hear persistent clicking instead as the ignition attempts over and over again unsuccessfully. Hearing either of these sounds is an indication that you need to schedule an appointment with our team before the problem gets worse. If your system is older, our technicians can discuss whether furnace replacement in Oregon City, OR or furnace installation in Milwaukie, OR is a smarter long-term solution.

Bad Blower Motor

The blower motor is equally important and heating. Sure, your heater can start up and create the heat, but if the blower motor is not turned on to channel that heat through the system and then to your home, the heat will just stay in the ignition chamber.

It’s common to hear a loud scraping sound if the bearings in your heater’s blower motor are going out. Sometimes the bearings simply wear down. But other times, lubricant dries up and results in an inability for the bearings to work together smoothly. Sometimes it is as simple as cleaning out the bearings and relubricating them. But other times, they need to be replaced.

Ignoring blower motor issues can cause other components in your Oregon City HVAC system to work harder, raising energy costs and reducing lifespan. During repairs, it’s also a good idea to check your ductwork and air filters if you live in West Linn, OR, or Clackamas to ensure optimal airflow.

Miscalibrated Thermostat

Other times, you think that your heater is the problem, but it isn’t. There’s a good chance that your heater is in excellent working condition, and it is simply not receiving the signal and instructions it needs to heat your home effectively.

Sometimes your thermostat is simply dirty and needs to be brushed out gently. But other times, the batteries are low or the calibration is off. In this case, our team needs to help fine-tune the thermostat and get it back to working as it should. Of course, during our inspection we will also double check your heater to make sure there is nothing wrong. If your unit is reaching the end of its life, we can discuss furnace installation in Oregon City, OR or furnace replacement in Milwaukie, OR for a more reliable heating setup.

Stay Warm and Safe This Winter

Don’t let small furnace issues turn into big, costly problems. Whether you need furnace repair in Clackamas, OR, furnace service in Oregon City, OR, or a complete system replacement, Chase Heating and Cooling is here to help.

Contact Chase Heating and Cooling today to schedule an appointment with our professionals. We’re “Keeping Homes Comfortable In All Seasons.”