It's not unusual for heating systems to have a problem once in a while. It could be as straightforward as a broken thermostat or an electrical problem. If your gas furnace won't turn 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 numerous homeowners and their HVAC system. Here's why. It restricts airflow, making your furnace 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 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 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 drive up your heating bill and make your home feel uncomfortable.
We recommend replacing flat filters monthly and pleated filters every three months. If you can't remember the last time you replaced your 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 get a new one.
If the matter was linked to a clogged air filter, replacing it with a fresh filter should fix this common issue when your heat won't turn off. If not, we suggest 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 usually the problem when your furnace won't stop running.
Sometimes having the heat turn off is as easy as adjusting a wrong thermostat setting.
Ensure 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” indicates the furnace blower will run constantly. 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 switched to "on," it will seem like your furnace is not shutting off, but it's really just the furnace blower you're noticing. Switching 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, compare 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 run 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 test, you can try reducing the thermostat to correspond with the room. Then, wait a couple of minutes. This should make the furnace shut off momentarily.
Put in New Batteries
If you have a programmable thermostat, it's likely battery powered. You can test putting in new batteries to see if that solves the issue. 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 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 shut off? There are two places 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 locate 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 close to your furnace. Push the switch down to cut power.
- Your furnace should be shut off now.
If you had to switch off your system at the breaker, contact us at 469-250-0932 for professional service, as you may need furnace repair.
What Causes a Furnace to Keep Running?
Occasionally fixing this problem can be as easy as replacing your air filter or adjusting thermostat settings. In other instances, you might want 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 sound like your furnace running nonstop, even though just the blower is running.
You might notice a furnace error code if there's a problem with the limit switch. Your furnace will speak through a flashing 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.
Bad Thermostat
Like anything else 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 installing a smart thermostat.
These thermostats make it easy to save energy, because they develop an energy-efficient heating and cooling schedule based on your needs. Plus, you'll be able to adjust and keep tabs on your thermostat from just about anyplace 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 all the time since the ductwork is leaking hot air in the attic.
Diagnosing this leaky ductwork and other airflow issues can be challenging to troubleshoot on your own, since it's hidden behind walls and ceilings. Our Experts can help with identifying and handling any air duct repair service that you require.
Rely on Our Experts for All Your Furnace Repair Needs
Troubleshooting furnace issues 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 rely on our ACE-certified technicians to resolve your problem quickly and affordably. And what's even better, we stand behind our HVAC system repairs with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for one year.* Contact us at 469-250-0932 to schedule your appointment now.