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 issue. If your gas furnace won't turn off, here are a few steps you can take to get a correctly working furnace again.
Examine 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 meet your desired temperature.
This increases wear and tear on your furnace, as well as the odds of a malfunction and early failure.
It can also make your furnace overheat and shut down for a time to cool off. Then it will keep repeating 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 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 dirty and you should replace it.
If the matter was connected to a clogged air filter, putting in a new filter should fix this common problem 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 basically informs the unit when to turn on and off. It's often the problem when your furnace won't stop running.
At times having the heat turn off is as easy as adjusting a wrong 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” indicates the furnace blower will only run when the furnace does.
“On” means the furnace blower will operate constantly. 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 shutting off, but it's really just the furnace blower you're hearing. Switching 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, compare the temperature setting to the area temperature. If it's greater than the room air temp, your furnace will keep operating 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 large temperature difference between the cold air outside and the warm indoors.
As a check, you can try reducing the setting 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 probably battery powered. You can try 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 set it to "off," you will need to cut the power.
Turn Off the Power
Thermostat seems to be working fine but your furnace still won't shut off? There are two places you can shut off the power to your heating unit: at the breaker box and at its dedicated power switch.
- Go to your breaker box and locate the breaker labeled "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 is located on or near your furnace. Push the switch down to cut power.
- Your furnace should be shut off now.
If you had to turn off your system at the breaker, call us at 260-557-1275 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 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 an issue 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 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.
Faulty 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, because they create an energy-efficient heating and cooling schedule based on 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 relies on ductwork to distribute hot air to vents across 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 issues can be difficult to troubleshoot on your own, since it's hidden behind walls and ceilings. Our Experts can help with identifying 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 inconvenient, especially when it affects your comfort, energy efficiency and heating bill. When it involves furnaces, there's a reason why we say we're Experts in our industry. 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.* Call us at 260-557-1275 to book your appointment today.