Why Won’t My Furnace Stop Running?

Young woman at home drinking hot tea, wondering why her furnace keeps running.

Is your furnace blowing air without pause? If so, you’re probably feeling a bit concerned. First, your house most likely feels like an oven. On top of that, your utility bill will be considerably higher with your furnace constantly running. Believe it or not, this is a fairly common problem our professionals at Basnett Plumbing, Heating & AC see frequently, so you don’t need to worry.

Before calling in a professional, check these three things:

1. Be ure you have the right thermostat settings

Be sure your thermostat is set to a reasonable temperature. ENERGY STAR® recommends keeping it cooler when you are sleeping during the winter to save on utility costs. If you set your thermostat to ultra-high temperatures, this may cause it to run constantly. Additionally, be sure to set your thermostat to Auto instead of On. The On setting causes it run constantly, instead of incrementally.

2. Check the filter

If you haven’t changed your furnace filter in a while, this could be the source of the problem. Over time, dust and debris clog your filter. This constricts airflow, which means the furnace has to work extra hard to maintain the desired temperature in your home. Depending on how clogged the filter is, it may have your unit running nonstop.

3. Check the pilot light

If the pilot light underneath the furnace is out, it can’t generate heat. In many cases, this causes your furnace to run continuously, because it can’t reach the desired temperature. If the pilot light goes out again, call one of our knowledgeable and highly trained experts.

If none of the previous steps worked, schedule a repair with us at Basnett Plumbing, Heating & AC. Here are three potential problems requiring our professional help:

1. Leaky ducts

If any of your ducts are punctured or blocked, this means heat isn’t being circulated properly. You’re losing heat and losing money through your utilities at the end of the month. One of our professionals can run a thermal analysis to determine the location of the leaks and repair your ductwork.

2. Broken fan motor

When your fan motor is obstructed, broken, or otherwise faulty, it can’t operate at full capacity. That means it has to run continuously to reach the set temperature. Unusual noises from your furnace are a sign you have a broken motor.

3. Thermostat malfunction

Your thermostat is the brain of the operation. When it sends the wrong information to your furnace, a number of things can go bad. You could have a broken relay switch, or your thermostat could be producing an inaccurate temperature reading.

Contact Us for All Your Furnace Needs

We want our neighbors here in Littleton, MA, to come to a happy, healthy furnace every night this season. To restore your unit to optimal condition, call us at 978-486-3767 or request service online today.

Need HVAC Service?

Contact the experts at Basnett Plumbing, Heating, AC & Electrical.
Call us at 978-431-2906!