It's not unusual for heating systems to have a glitch once in a while. It could be as straightforward as a bad thermostat or an electrical problem. If your gas furnace won't shut off, here are a few steps you can take to get a properly working furnace again.
Examine the Air Filter
A dirty air filter creates problems for many homeowners and their HVAC system. Here's why. It restricts airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder and run longer to meet your ideal temperature.
This multiplies usage on your furnace, as well as the likelihood of a breakdown and early failure.
It can also make your furnace overheat and shut down for a time to cool down. Then it will keep duplicating this process when your furnace turns 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 unpleasant.
We recommend replacing flat filters monthly and pleated filters every three months. If you can't remember the last time you got a new furnace filter, remove it 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, putting in a new filter should fix this common issue when your heat won't turn off. If not, we suggest checking your thermostat settings next.
Check Out the Thermostat
Your thermostat runs your furnace and basically tells the unit when to turn on and off. It's usually the problem when your furnace won't stop running.
Sometimes having the heat turn off is as simple as adjusting a wrong thermostat setting.
Ensure Your Thermostat is Set to “Auto”
Your thermostat includes two settings, “auto” and “on,” that manage your heating system's blower motor.
“Auto” means the furnace blower will only run when the furnace does.
“On” indicates the furnace blower will run continuously. This constant air flow can help with heat distribution but will also drive up your power bill and lead to wear and tear on your furnace.
If your thermostat is set to "on," it will seem like your furnace is not shutting off, but it's really just the furnace blower you're noticing. 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 area temperature. If it's greater than the room air temp, your furnace will keep operating until it reaches your desired temp.
Remember that if it's extremely cold outside, your furnace will have to run much longer than normal to keep your home warm. This is because of a large temperature difference between the cold air outside and the warm indoors.
As a test, you can try lowering the setting to match the room. Then, wait a couple of minutes. This should make the furnace turn off in a few minutes.
Put in Fresh Batteries
If you have a programmable thermostat, it's probably battery powered. You can try putting in new batteries to see if that resolves the problem. If it doesn't or if there's wiring to your electrical system, switch it to "off."
If your furnace won't turn off after you switch it to "off," you will need to turn off the power.
Cut the Power
Thermostat appears to be working fine but your furnace still won't turn off? There are two spots you can cut the power to your heating unit: at the breaker box and at its dedicated power switch.
- Head to your breaker box and find the breaker marked "furnace." Move the breaker switch to the right to shut off power.
- Next, search for the specific power switch to your heating system. It's similar to a light switch and is located on or near your furnace. Move 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 801-436-8985 for professional service, as you may need furnace repair.
What Causes a Furnace to Keep Running?
Sometimes correcting this problem can be as easy as replacing your air filter or changing thermostat settings. In other situations, you might need a professional when your heater won't turn off.
Fan Limit Switch Needs to Be Replaced
The furnace fan limit switch regulates your furnace's blower motor. If the switch goes bad, it might seem like your furnace running continuously, even though just the blower is going.
You might see a furnace error code if there's an issue with the limit switch. Your furnace will speak using 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. Often this can involve replacement parts, such as the control board, faulty wiring or the fan switch itself.
Defective Thermostat
Like anything else 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, since they create an energy-efficient heating and cooling schedule according to your needs. Plus, you'll be able to adjust and monitor your thermostat from just about anywhere with your phone.
Air Ducts Are Leaking
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.
Identifying this leaky ductwork and other airflow issues can be tricky to troubleshoot on your own, since it's concealed behind walls and ceilings. Our Experts can help with diagnosing and taking care of any air duct repair service that you require.
Rely on Our Experts for All Your Furnace Repair Needs
Troubleshooting furnace problems can be inconvenient, particularly when it impacts your comfort, energy efficiency and heating bill. When it comes to furnaces, there's a reason why we say we're Experts in our industry. You can count on our ACE-certified technicians to solve 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 801-436-8985 to book your appointment today.