It's not uncommon for heating systems to have a glitch once in a while. It could be as straightforward as a broken thermostat or an electrical problem. If your gas furnace won't shut off, here are a couple steps you can take to get a correctly working furnace again.
Examine the Air Filter
A dirty air filter causes problems for many homeowners and their HVAC system. Here's why. It limits airflow, making your furnace work harder and run longer to satisfy your ideal temperature.
This multiplies wear and tear 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 off for a time to cool off. Then it will keep repeating this process when your furnace switches 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 unpleasant.
We recommend replacing flat filters each month and pleated filters every three months. If you can't remember the last time you replaced your 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 linked to a clogged air filter, putting in a clean filter should solve this common problem when your heat won't turn off. If not, we recommend checking your thermostat settings next.
Check the Thermostat
Your thermostat controls your furnace and basically informs the unit when to turn on and off. It's usually the problem when your furnace won't stop running.
At times having the heat turn off is as simple as changing an incorrect 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 operate when the furnace does.
“On” means 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 sound like your furnace is not shutting off, but it's really just the furnace blower you're hearing. Changing it to "auto" should solve 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 higher than the room air temp, your furnace will keep operating until it reaches your desired temp.
Remember that if it's extremely cold outside, your furnace will have to run much longer than normal to keep your home warm. This is because of a large 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 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, shift it to "off."
If your furnace won't turn off after you set 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 places you can cut the power to your heating unit: at the breaker box and at its specific power switch.
- Head to your breaker box and locate the breaker marked "furnace." Push the breaker switch to the right to cut power.
- Next, look 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 turn off your system at the breaker, call us at 865-229-6176 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 adjusting thermostat settings. In other instances, you might need 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 out, it might seem like your furnace running nonstop, even though just the blower is going.
You might see a furnace error code if there's an issue with the limit switch. Your furnace will communicate through a blinking red light on the front of your heating system.
Our Experts can diagnose and correct 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 other things in your home, your thermostat can wear out as time passes and need to be replaced. If you're due for a new one, ask us about installing a smart thermostat.
These thermostats make it simple to save energy, since they create an energy-efficient heating and cooling schedule based on your preferences. Additionally, you'll be able to set 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 operating all the time because the ductwork is leaking hot air in the attic.
Diagnosing this leaky ductwork and other airflow issues can be tricky to resolve on your own, since it's concealed 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 issues can be inconvenient, especially 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 field. You can count on our ACE-certified technicians to solve 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 865-229-6176 to schedule your appointment now.