It's not uncommon for heating systems to have a problem once in a while. It could be as simple as a broken thermostat or an electrical issue. If your gas furnace won't shut off, here are a couple steps you can take to get a correctly working furnace again.
Examine the Air Filter
A dirty air filter causes problems for many homeowners and their HVAC system. Here's why. It limits airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder and run longer to satisfy your desired temperature.
This increases wear and tear on your furnace, as well as the likelihood of a breakdown and premature failure.
It can also make your furnace get too hot and shut down for a time to cool off. Then it will keep duplicating this process when your furnace turns on. This is called short cycling. In addition to wearing out your furnace faster, it can drive up your heating bill and make your home feel unpleasant.
We encourage replacing flat filters each month and pleated filters every three months. If you can't remember the last time you got a new furnace filter, pull it out and hold it up to the light. If you can't see light through your filter, it's too dusty and you should replace it.
If the matter was connected to a clogged air filter, replacing it with a fresh filter should solve this common problem when your heat won't turn off. If not, we recommend checking your thermostat settings next.
Check the Thermostat
Your thermostat runs your furnace and simply tells the unit when to turn on and off. It's usually the problem when your furnace won't stop running.
At times having the heat turn off is as simple as adjusting a wrong thermostat setting.
Make Sure Your Thermostat is Set to “Auto”
Your thermostat has two settings, “auto” and “on,” that manage your heating system's blower motor.
“Auto” means the furnace blower will only operate when the furnace does.
“On” means the furnace blower will run continuously. This constant air flow can help with heat distribution but will also increase your power bill and increase wear and tear on your furnace.
If your thermostat is set to "on," it will sound like your furnace is not turning off, but it's really just the furnace blower you're hearing. Switching it to "auto" should solve the problem. It will also help you save money on your energy costs.
Confirm Your Temperature Setting
If your thermostat won't turn off heat, check the temperature setting to the room temperature. If it's higher than the room air temp, your furnace will keep operating until it reaches your desired temp.
Keep in mind that if it's very cold outside, your furnace will have to operate much longer than usual to keep your home warm. This is because of a big temperature difference between the cold air outside and the warm indoors.
As a check, you can try lowering the temperature to match the room. Then, wait a couple of minutes. This should make the furnace shut off in a few minutes.
Put in Fresh Batteries
If you use a programmable thermostat, it's likely battery powered. You can try putting in new batteries to see if that solves the problem. If it doesn't or if there's wiring to your electrical system, shift it to "off."
If your furnace won't shut off after you move it to "off," you will need to cut the power.
Cut the Power
Thermostat appears to be working fine but your furnace still won't shut off? There are two places you can shut off the power to your heating unit: at the breaker box and at its specific power switch.
- Go to your breaker box and find the breaker marked "furnace." Move the breaker switch to the right to cut power.
- Next, search for the dedicated power switch to your heating system. It looks like a light switch and can be found on or close to your furnace. Move the switch down to shut off power.
- Your furnace should be turned off now.
If you had to turn off your system at the breaker, contact us at 518-417-2938 for professional service, as you may need furnace repair.
What Causes a Furnace to Keep Running?
Sometimes fixing this problem can be as simple as replacing your air filter or adjusting thermostat settings. In other instances, you might need a professional when your heater won't shut off.
Fan Limit Switch Needs Replacing
The furnace fan limit switch regulates your furnace's blower motor. If the switch goes out, it might seem like your furnace running nonstop, even though just the blower is running.
You might see a furnace error code if there's an issue with the limit switch. Your furnace will communicate through a blinking red light on the front of your heating system.
Our Experts can identify and fix any issues you're having with your furnace blower motor. Often this can involve replacement parts, like the control board, faulty wiring or the fan switch itself.
Faulty Thermostat
Like other things in your home, your thermostat can break down as time passes and need to be replaced. If you're due for a new one, ask us about getting a smart thermostat.
These thermostats make it simple to save energy, because they develop an energy-efficient heating and cooling schedule according to your preferences. Additionally, you'll be able to set and monitor your thermostat from just about anywhere with your phone.
Leaky Air Ducts
Your furnace uses ductwork to circulate hot air to vents across your home. If your home or ductwork is older, your furnace might be operating constantly since the ductwork is leaking hot air in the attic.
Diagnosing this leaky ductwork and other airflow problems can be challenging to troubleshoot on your own, since it's hidden behind walls and ceilings. Our Experts can help with identifying and taking care of any air duct repair service that you require.
Rely on Our Experts for All Your Furnace Repair Needs
Troubleshooting furnace issues can be inconvenient, particularly when it affects your comfort, energy efficiency and heating bill. When it comes to furnaces, there's a reason why we say we're Experts in our field. You can depend on our ACE-certified technicians to resolve your problem quickly and affordably. And what's even better, we back our HVAC system repairs with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for one year.* Call us at 518-417-2938 to book your appointment today.