A cracked heat exchanger can often be a worst-case scenario when it comes to furnace problems during the winter. Most St Louis area HVAC companies will immediately recommend replacing your furnace when this happens. The purpose of the heat exchanger is to separate the warming flame from the air inside your home. The energy source your furnaces operate on warms the heat exchanger which then warms the being pushed through your duct system. When a cold front hits the St Louis area, it can often cause overheating.

This factor often leads to heat exchanger cracks. The heat exchanger is a critical component of a furnace system as it prevents both carbon dioxide and energy fumes from leaking inside your air ducts. With that being said, a lot of heating and cooling companies will use a cracked heat exchanger as an excuse for a homeowner to commit to furnace replacement. It’s important to have the technician point out the crack in the heat exchanger before deciding on replacing your entire furnace system.

1. Overheating A Home
2. Clogged Or Dirty Furnace Filters
3. Over-sized Furnace Systems

You would be surprised by how many furnace problems originate from dirty furnace filters. This is often considered the most common cause of most furnace malfunctions. When a furnace filter is clogged, it restricts airflow. This leads to your furnace overworking to compensate for the lack of air. A variety of different furnace problems can occur under these circumstances.

There are some instances when you may be experiencing furnace problems, but your furnace is continuing to heat your home adequately. A slipped furnace belt is a primary example of this. When your furnace starts making odd noises or you notice it rattling, this can often be the sign of a slipped furnace belt. The furnace belt connects the fan to the blower motor. When the belt slips or breaks, it produces an irritating squealing sound.

Most new furnace systems have moved away from traditional pilot lights and now rely on electronic ignition systems as a way to increase efficiency. The two types of electronic ignition systems used today are an intermittent pilot system and a hot surface ignition system.

Intermittent pilot systems are commonly used in induced draft furnaces.  This type of electronic ignition system uses a high voltage spark to ignite your fuel source when the thermostat signals the furnace to heat.  The primary burner uses a flame sensing rod to signal the pilot has been lit.  The flame then turns off when the heating cycle is complete and remains off until your thermostat triggers the next heating cycle.  When the intermittent pilot system is not working properly, your furnace will not turn on.

The hot surface igniter is the most common electronic ignition system manufactured today.  This igniter is commonly comprised of silicon nitride or carbide.  It heats using electricity and ignites your furnace as the gas enters through the burners.  Common problems with hot surface igniters are often attributed to mishandling during the furnace installation.  If oil from the installer’s hands makes contact with the igniter, it can often lead to malfunctions.  Another common cause of HSI failure is the voltage in your electrical circuit is too high.

The thermostat is pretty much the brains of your heating and cooling system. When your thermostat is experiencing problems, your entire heating and cooling system usually does as well. Believe it or not, the most common thermostat problem is dead batteries. However, if you are still experiencing furnace problems despite new batteries, it might not be a bad idea to call a professional.