It's not uncommon for heating systems to have a glitch every now and then. It could be as straightforward as a bad 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.
Check the Air Filter
A dirty air filter causes problems 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 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 once a month and pleated filters every three months. If you can't remember the last time you got a new furnace filter, pull it out and hold it up to the light. If you can't detect light through your filter, it's too dirty and you should get a new one.
If the matter was connected to a clogged air filter, replacing it with a new 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 often to blame when your furnace won't stop running.
At times having the heat turn off is as easy as changing an incorrect thermostat setting.
Make Sure Your Thermostat is Set to “Auto”
Your thermostat includes two settings, “auto” and “on,” that manage your heating system's blower motor.
“Auto” indicates the furnace blower will only operate when the furnace does.
“On” indicates the furnace blower will run continuously. This constant air flow can help with heat distribution but will also increase your power bill and increase wear and tear on your furnace.
If your thermostat is set to "on," it will seem like your furnace is not shutting off, but it's really just the furnace blower you're hearing. Switching 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, check the temperature setting to the room temperature. If it's higher than the room air temp, your furnace will keep operating until it reaches your desired temp.
Keep in mind that if it's extremely cold outside, your furnace will have to operate much longer than normal to keep your home warm. This is due to a large temperature difference between the cold air outside and the warm indoors.
As a test, you can try lowering the temperature to match the room. Then, wait a couple of minutes. This should make the furnace shut off in a few minutes.
Replace the Batteries
If you use 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 turn off after you move it to "off," you will need to turn off 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 cut the power to your heating unit: at the breaker box and at its specific power switch.
- Head to your breaker box and find the breaker labeled "furnace." Push the breaker switch to the right to shut off power.
- Next, search 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 shut off power.
- Your furnace should be shut off now.
If you had to switch off your system at the breaker, contact us at 205-267-0023 for professional service, as you may need furnace repair.
What Causes a Furnace to Keep Running?
Sometimes fixing this problem can be as easy as changing your air filter or changing thermostat settings. In other situations, you might want a professional when your heater won't turn off.
Fan Limit Switch Needs to Be Replaced
The furnace fan limit switch controls your furnace's blower motor. If the switch goes bad, it might sound like your furnace running continuously, even though just the blower is running.
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 fix any problems you're having with your furnace blower motor. Often 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 as time passes and need to be replaced. If it's time for a new one, ask us about getting a smart thermostat.
These thermostats make it simple to save energy, because they develop an energy-efficient heating and cooling schedule according to your preferences. Additionally, you'll be able to set and monitor your thermostat from just about anywhere with your phone.
Leaky Air Ducts
Your furnace uses ductwork to circulate 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 problems can be tricky to resolve 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.
Depend on Our Experts for All Your Furnace Repair Needs
Troubleshooting furnace issues can be inconvenient, particularly 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 field. You can count on our ACE-certified technicians to solve your problem quickly and affordably. And what's even better, we back our HVAC system repairs with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for one year.* Contact us at 205-267-0023 to book your appointment now.