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 shut off, here are a few steps you can take to get a correctly working furnace again.
Examine the Air Filter
A dirty air filter causes issues for many homeowners and their HVAC system. Here's why. It restricts airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder and run longer to satisfy your ideal temperature.
This increases usage on your furnace, as well as the odds of a breakdown and early failure.
It can also make your furnace overheat and shut off for a time to cool down. 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 encourage 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 linked to a clogged air filter, replacing it with a clean 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 controls your furnace and basically informs the unit when to turn on and off. It's often to blame when your furnace won't stop running.
At times 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 manage your heating system's blower motor.
“Auto” means the furnace blower will only run when the furnace does.
“On” means the furnace blower will operate continuously. This constant air flow can help with heat distribution but will also increase your power bill and lead to wear and tear on your furnace.
If your thermostat is set to "on," it will sound like your furnace is not turning 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 spend less 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 operating until it reaches 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 because of a big temperature difference between the cold air outside and the warm indoors.
As a test, you can try decreasing the setting to correspond with the room. Then, wait a couple of minutes. This should make the furnace shut off momentarily.
Put in Fresh Batteries
If you use a programmable thermostat, it's probably battery powered. You can test 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 cut the power.
Cut the Power
Thermostat appears to be working fine but your furnace still won't shut off? There are two spots 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 find the breaker marked "furnace." Push the breaker switch to the right to shut off power.
- Next, look for the dedicated power switch to your heating system. It looks like a light switch and is located on or near your furnace. Push the switch down to shut off power.
- Your furnace should be shut off now.
If you had to turn off your system at the breaker, contact us at 613-817-1591 for professional service, as you may require furnace repair.
What Causes a Furnace to Keep Running?
Occasionally fixing 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 Replacing
The furnace fan limit switch controls your furnace's blower motor. If the switch goes out, it might sound like your furnace running nonstop, even though just the blower is going.
You might see a furnace error code if there's a problem with the limit switch. Your furnace will speak via a blinking 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. Sometimes this can involve replacement parts, like the control board, faulty wiring or the fan switch itself.
Faulty Thermostat
Like other things in your home, your thermostat can break down over time and need to be replaced. If it's time for a new one, ask us about installing a smart thermostat.
These thermostats make it simple 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 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 operating 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 troubleshoot on your own, since it's hidden behind walls and ceilings. Our Experts can help with diagnosing and handling 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 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.* Call us at 613-817-1591 to book your appointment today.