It's not uncommon for heating systems to have a problem every now and then. It could be as straightforward as a bad thermostat or an electrical problem. If your gas furnace won't turn off, here are a couple steps you can take to get a properly working furnace again.
Check the Air Filter
A dirty air filter causes problems for numerous homeowners and their HVAC system. Here's why. It restricts airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder and run longer to meet your desired temperature.
This increases usage on your furnace, as well as the odds of a breakdown and premature failure.
It can also make your furnace get too hot and shut down for a time to cool down. Then it will keep repeating this process when your furnace switches on. This is called short cycling. In addition to wearing out your furnace more quickly, it can drive up your heating bill and make your home feel uncomfortable.
We recommend 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, remove it and hold it up to the light. If you can't see light through your filter, it's too dusty and you should get a new one.
If the matter was connected to a clogged air filter, replacing it with a new filter should solve this common problem when your heat won't turn off. If not, we suggest checking your thermostat settings next.
Check the Thermostat
Your thermostat controls your furnace and basically tells the unit when to turn on and off. It's usually to blame when your furnace won't stop running.
Sometimes having the heat turn off is as easy as changing a wrong thermostat setting.
Ensure Your Thermostat is Set to “Auto”
Your thermostat includes two settings, “auto” and “on,” that control your heating system's blower motor.
“Auto” indicates the furnace blower will only run when the furnace does.
“On” indicates the furnace blower will operate continuously. This constant air flow can help with heat circulation but will also increase your power bill and increase wear and tear on your furnace.
If your thermostat is switched to "on," it will sound like your furnace is not turning off, but it's really just the furnace blower you're hearing. Changing it to "auto" should resolve 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 extremely cold outside, your furnace will have to operate much longer than usual to keep your home warm. This is due to a big temperature difference between the cold air outside and the warm indoors.
As a check, you can try lowering the thermostat to match the room. Then, wait a few minutes. This should make the furnace shut off momentarily.
Put in New Batteries
If you use a programmable thermostat, it's probably battery powered. You can try putting in new batteries to see if that resolves the issue. If it doesn't or if there's wiring to your electrical system, shift it to "off."
If your furnace won't turn off after you move it to "off," you will need to turn off the power.
Cut the Power
Thermostat seems to be working fine but your furnace still won't turn off? There are two places 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 locate the breaker labeled "furnace." Push 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 close to your furnace. Push the switch down to cut power.
- Your furnace should be turned off now.
If you had to switch off your system at the breaker, contact us at 780-800-9047 for professional service, as you may require furnace repair.
What Causes a Furnace to Keep Running?
Sometimes correcting this problem can be as simple as replacing your air filter or adjusting thermostat settings. In other situations, you might want 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 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 communicate via a flashing red light on the front of your heating system.
Our Experts can diagnose and correct any issues 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.
Defective Thermostat
Like anything else in your home, your thermostat can break down 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, 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 distribute hot air to vents throughout your home. If your home or ductwork is older, your furnace might be running all the time because the ductwork is leaking hot air in the attic.
Identifying this leaky ductwork and other airflow issues can be challenging to resolve on your own, since it's hidden behind walls and ceilings. Our Experts can help with diagnosing and taking care of any air duct repair service that you need.
Rely on Our Experts for All Your Furnace Repair Needs
Troubleshooting furnace issues can be annoying, 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 industry. You can rely 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 780-800-9047 to schedule your appointment now.