3 Issues That Make Furnaces Overheat in Chapel Hill, NC

When your furnace overheats, you need to act quickly to protect your Chapel Hill, NC, home. An overheated furnace can potentially start a fire. Let’s explain some factors that cause furnaces to overheat.

Airflow Problems

Your filter traps dust and debris while the air enters the furnace. Over time, these contaminants can create a thick layer that prevents air from flowing freely through the filter. Consequently, your furnace works harder than necessary to move air through the clogged filter, resulting in overheating.

Have your air filter replaced regularly to ensure air circulates freely. You should change your filter at least every three months.

Short-Cycling Furnace

Short-cycling occurs when your furnace turns on and runs for a short while and then it turns off and on again. The system continues with this pattern rather than completing a heating cycle.

Short-cycling increases the strain on the motor, causing it to overheat. This problem occurs when your thermostat doesn’t communicate efficiently with the furnace or you have an oversized system, among other issues.

If you have an oversized furnace, replace it with a correctly sized system. A service technician can determine your temperature needs to help you select the correct size of furnace for your home.

Failing to Schedule Maintenance

A furnace needs regular maintenance to keep working efficiently. Failing to schedule maintenance services for your system allows dirt to accumulate on the components and some parts to break down.

During a maintenance appointment, the service technician will clean all components to prevent them from overworking and repair any faulty ones. They will also calibrate the thermostat to ensure it sends signals to the furnace efficiently. In addition, the service technician will lubricate moving components to eliminate friction.

By addressing the above issues, your furnace will run efficiently without overheating. You can always contact Ted’s HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical for professional heating services whenever your furnace operates abnormally.

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