Your hot furnace can overheat due to restricted airflow, built-up dirt, or a mechanical failure. An overheating, hot furnace can suffer costly damage and increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. So how do you recognize a furnace that’s too hot during the winter?
Unexpected Shutdowns
Your furnace has protection mechanisms to safeguard it against overheating when in use. If the furnace shuts down before reaching the set thermostat temperature and won’t turn on until you flip the circuit breaker, you’re likely to have an overheating issue. Certain furnace components may be overheating when the system is running, causing the circuit breaker to trip.
Short-Cycling
Short-cycling can also be a sign of overheating. Your furnace may keep turning on and off quickly because it keeps trying to reach your desired temperature but overheats and shuts down. Consequently, your home may not feel warm enough.
Odd Noises
You may hear loud humming or unusual noises coming from your furnace. That could be due to the motor receiving enough power to run, but an issue makes it not operate at its full potential. When the motor tries to operate but can’t work properly, it may produce excessive heat and cause unusual loud noises.
Burning Smell
An overheating furnace may give off a burning smell as it turns itself off. The odor is caused by wires that are too hot and are beginning to melt.
Changing the air filter and removing anything that may be blocking the air intake vent are the simplest possible fixes for a hot furnace. The best solution is to have an HVAC professional investigate the problem for you. If you need help with fixing an overheating furnace or with any other furnace problems in the Dayton area, contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services. We’ve served the heating needs of our satisfied customers since 1978.
