Why Won’t My Furnace Stop Running?

Is your furnace blowing air without pause? If so, you’re probably feeling a bit concerned. First, your house most likely feels like an oven. On top of that, your utility bill will be considerably higher with your furnace constantly running. Believe it or not, this is a fairly common problem, so you don’t need to worry.

Before calling a technician, check these three things:

Be sure you have the right thermostat settings.

Be sure your thermostat is set to a reasonable temperature. Energy Star® recommends keeping it at 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter to save on utility costs¹. If you set your thermostat to ultra-high temperatures, this may cause it to run constantly. Additionally, be sure to set your thermostat to Auto instead of On. The On setting causes it run constantly, instead of incrementally.

Check the filter.

If you haven’t changed your furnace filter in a while, this could be the source of the problem. Over time, dust and debris clog your filter. This constricts airflow, which means the furnace has to work extra hard to maintain the desired temperature. Depending on how clogged the filter is, it may have your unit running nonstop.

Check the pilot light.

If the pilot light underneath the furnace is out, it can’t generate heat. In many cases, this causes your furnace to run continuously, because it can’t reach the desired temperature. If the pilot light goes out again, call one of our expert technicians.

If none of the previous steps worked, schedule a repair with us at Quality Heating & Cooling. Here are three potential problems requiring our professional help:

Leaky ducts

If any of your ducts are punctured or blocked, this means heat isn’t being circulated properly. You’re losing heat and losing money through your utilities at the end of the month. A technician can run a thermal analysis to determine the location of the leaks and repair your ductwork.

Broken fan motor

When your fan motor is obstructed, broken, or otherwise faulty, it can’t operate at full capacity. That means it has to run continuously to reach the set temperature. Unusual noises from your furnace are a sign you have a broken motor.

Thermostat malfunction

Your thermostat is the brain of the operation. When it sends the wrong information to your furnace, a number of things can go bad. You could have a broken relay switch, or your thermostat could be producing an inaccurate temperature reading.

We want our neighbors here in Boise, ID, and the surrounding Treasure Valley communities to come home to a happy, healthy furnace every night this season. To restore your unit to optimal condition, call our team at Quality Heating & Cooling at 208-377-3555.