It's not uncommon for heating systems to have a glitch once in a while. It could be as simple as a bad thermostat or an electrical problem. If your gas furnace won't shut off, here are a couple steps you can take to get a correctly working furnace again.
Check the Air Filter
A dirty air filter creates issues 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 ideal temperature.
This increases wear and tear on your furnace, as well as the likelihood of a malfunction and premature failure.
It can also make your furnace get too hot and shut off for a time to cool off. Then it will keep duplicating this process when your furnace switches on. This is known as short cycling. In addition to wearing out your furnace more quickly, it can increase your heating bill and make your home feel uncomfortable.
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 detect light through your filter, it's too dusty and you should get a new one.
If the matter was linked to a clogged air filter, replacing it with a new filter should fix 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 informs the unit when to turn on and off. It's often to blame when your furnace won't stop running.
At times having the heat turn off is as simple as changing an incorrect 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 constantly. This constant air flow can help with heat circulation but will also increase your power bill and lead to wear and tear on your furnace.
If your thermostat is switched to "on," it will sound like your furnace is not shutting off, but it's really just the furnace blower you're hearing. Changing it to "auto" should solve the problem. It will also help you save money on your energy costs.
Check Your Temperature Setting
If your thermostat won't turn off heat, check the temperature setting to the room temperature. If it's greater than the room air temp, your furnace will keep running until it hits your desired temp.
Remember that if it's very cold outside, your furnace will have to operate much longer than usual to keep your home cozy. This is because of a big temperature difference between the cold air outside and the warm indoors.
As a test, you can try decreasing the thermostat to match the room. Then, wait a couple of minutes. This should make the furnace turn off in a few minutes.
Put in New Batteries
If you use a programmable thermostat, it's likely battery powered. You can test replacing the batteries to see if that resolves the issue. If it doesn't or if there's wiring to your electrical system, switch it to "off."
If your furnace won't shut off after you set 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 spots you can cut 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 shut off power.
- Next, look for the dedicated power switch to your heating system. It's similar to a light switch and can be found on or close to your furnace. Push the switch down to cut power.
- Your furnace should be turned off now.
If you had to turn off your system at the breaker, contact us at 512-592-3072 for professional service, as you may require furnace repair.
What Causes a Furnace to Keep Running?
Sometimes correcting this problem can be as easy as changing your air filter or adjusting thermostat settings. In other instances, you might need a professional when your heater won't turn off.
Fan Limit Switch Needs Replacing
The furnace fan limit switch regulates your furnace's blower motor. If the switch goes bad, it might sound like your furnace running nonstop, even though just the blower is going.
You might notice a furnace error code if there's a problem with the limit switch. Your furnace will speak via a blinking red light on the front of your heating system.
Our Experts can identify and fix any problems you're having with your furnace blower motor. Sometimes this can involve replacement parts, like the control board, faulty wiring or the fan switch itself.
Bad Thermostat
Like other things in your home, your thermostat can wear out as time passes and need to be replaced. If it's time for a new one, ask us about getting a smart thermostat.
These thermostats make it easy to save energy, because they create an energy-efficient heating and cooling schedule according to your needs. Additionally, you'll be able to set and monitor your thermostat from just about anywhere with your phone.
Air Ducts Are Leaking
Your furnace uses ductwork to distribute hot air to vents throughout your home. If your home or ductwork is older, your furnace might be running constantly because the ductwork is leaking hot air in the attic.
Identifying this leaky ductwork and other airflow problems can be challenging to troubleshoot on your own, since it's concealed behind walls and ceilings. Our Experts can help with identifying and handling any air duct repair service that you require.
Depend on Our Experts for All Your Furnace Repair Needs
Troubleshooting furnace problems can be inconvenient, especially when it impacts your comfort, energy efficiency and heating bill. When it involves 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.* Contact us at 512-592-3072 to schedule your appointment today.