When it’s fall in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora and Plainfield (IL), some of us might not be thinking about our furnaces yet because it’s cool but not too cold out yet. Some of us might still even crack open the windows to let in a bit of the crisp autumn air.
But as Illinoisans, we know what’s waiting for us on the other side of those beautiful seasonal leaves: frost and then snow and then ice, and it usually starts slipping into our neighborhoods the closer we get to Thanksgiving.
At Air Dynamics, we look to help spare you from dealing with large and immediate problems that can visit those who don’t have their furnace at least at the tip of their mind. Your furnace becomes a big deal between November and March. When it’s a matter of smooth operation or an untimely breakdown, it’s always better to be prepared with prevention than caught with a cure.
Part of furnace smarts is understanding what can go wrong before it happens. The most common issues that surface in fall can typically result from the changing weather conditions, in addition to not yet having the furnace inspected and cleaned.
The following are furnace components that can tend to fail in the fall. By being aware of them, you can enjoy the transition from leaves to snow with less potential likelihood of system repairs or replacement.
Common Fall Furnace Repair Part: Control Board
One of your furnace’s most important parts, the control board manages multiple system activities such as starting the electronic ignition, activating the blower and shutting off the gas. If the control board isn’t functioning right, it may prevent the furnace from reading the thermostat, which can lead to failing to heat the house sufficiently or at all.
The control board can be damaged by different factors, such as failed solder connections, thermal expansion, stuck switches or a power surge.
Common Fall Furnace Repair Part: Blower
The blower motor circulates your heated air through your home with the help of a blower fan. If the blower keeps running between heating cycles, or if you suspect it isn’t properly circulating the air, first check the thermostat to ensure it’s set at your desired temperature. If the temperature is too low, the fan might not be blowing enough air.
Also make sure the thermostat is set to the right mode for blowing warm air. The fan-switch setting should be at AUTO (not ON).
If the thermostat settings aren’t the solution, there may be a problem with the fan. In some cases the fan might be slowing because of dirt build-up. In others, it might simply need attention after years of operation.
Common Fall Furnace Repair Part: Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil absorbs the air in your home. Like the air filter, it can become dirty and clogged, especially if the filter hasn’t been changed in a while. If you haven’t checked the filter lately, do so very soon and switch it out if needed.
If you notice the evaporator coil is leaking, it may require replacement.
Common Fall Furnace Repair Part: Ignitor
When the thermostat issues the command for the furnace to fire up, the ignitor will create a spark that ignites the gas connected to the heater. If the ignitor isn’t working, the furnace will not blow warm air.
Reasons for a failing ignitor can be old age, incompatibility with other components or a bad limiter switch, which turns the blower on and off. The switch also shuts down the unit if the internal temperature gets too high. A power surge can damage the ignitor as well.
Common Fall Furnace Repair Part: Ducts & Drains
The ducts carry warm air to the rooms of your house in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora or Plainfield. As we move further into fall, the ducts can have leaks that developed during the year. They also can become clogged by leaves, pests or debris.
If you start to notice less heat or more hot and cold spots in your home, the ducts could be the cause. Loose joints, disconnected ducts and damage to ductwork lets heat into areas of the house where it isn’t supposed to go. Cold air from these spaces then can enter the duct system, reducing the heated air in your living areas even further.
Ensuring the air filter is sufficiently clean is a big help to your duct system. If you think your ducts might be an issue or if you would like them inspected as well as cleaned of obstructions such as fall leaves, just let us know at Air Dynamics.
Speaking of fall leaves, they can also interfere with the drainage system for high-efficiency condensing furnaces, which produce moisture as they run. A drainpipe allows the moisture to drain from the system and into nearby storm or sewer drains.
If the storm or sewer drains become clogged with debris such as leaves, the draining moisture can back up inside the equipment and eventually spill out. This can result in water leaks around the floor of the system and potentially damage the equipment.
You can help prevent this by clearing and bagging fallen leaves. Air Dynamics also can assist you with proper drainage by cleaning the drip pan and the condensate drain line.
Fall Furnace Maintenance & Repair: Contact Us Today
You can stay ahead of the heating game this fall with a little extra furnace awareness. Being mindful and proactive will help keep you warm and comfortable in addition to potentially saving you money and increasing your furnace’s lifespan. When you want to ask questions or schedule maintenance this fall at your home in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora or Plainfield (IL) simply call us at (630) 731-1550!
