Is your furnace blowing air without pause? If so, you’re probably feeling a bit concerned—and your Medina 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 Gene’s Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical see frequently, so you don’t need to worry—we can help! However, before you rush to call us, troubleshoot some common solutions. If they work, you save yourself a repair fee. If they don’t, then you know you need professional furnace repair.
Don’t let a runaway furnace ruin your home’s comfort—read on to find out how to get your heating system back on track.
DIY Furnace Repair
Several factors could be at play, from something as simple as a thermostat setting to more complex issues like a malfunctioning limit switch or clogged air filters. Understanding why your furnace is overworking is crucial not only for your comfort but also for maintaining the efficiency and longevity of your heating system.
Before calling in a professional, check these three things:
- Be sure you have the right thermostat settings.
Trust us, you’d be surprised at how often a setting is off. Be sure your thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature. Setting it to ultra-high temperatures may cause it to run constantly.
For an eco-friendly setting, ENERGY STAR® recommends keeping it 7 to 10 degrees cooler when you are sleeping during the winter to save on utility costs.
Additionally, be sure to set your thermostat to Auto instead of On. The On setting causes it to run constantly instead of incrementally.
- 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 Ohio home. Depending on how clogged the filter is, your unit may be running nonstop.
Keep extra filters on hand for moments like this when you realize too much time has passed between filter changes. Make it even easier by using our online filter store to keep yourself well-stocked.
- 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 repeatedly, call one of our knowledgeable and highly trained experts.
Professional Furnace Repair
If none of the previous steps worked, schedule a repair with the knowledgeable experts around the greater Medina area: Gene’s Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical.
Here are three potential problems requiring our professional help:
- Leaky ducts
If any of your ducts are punctured, torn, blocked, or have a broken seal, this means heat isn’t being circulated properly. You’re losing heat—and your money via energy consumption calculated 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.
- 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 that you have a broken motor. Our expert furnace repair technicians have well-stocked vehicles to handle most repair needs like this one.
- Thermostat malfunction
Your thermostat is the brain of the operation. When it sends the wrong information to your furnace, several things can go bad. If everything appears fine with your thermostat but it is the cause of your furnace constantly running, it could have a broken relay switch, or your thermostat could be producing an inaccurate temperature reading.
Contact Us for All Your Furnace Needs
A furnace that won’t stop running can be frustrating, but understanding the root cause can help you address the issue before it becomes a costly problem. Whether it’s a simple fix like adjusting your thermostat or a more complex issue requiring professional attention, early action can save you money and keep your home comfortable.
Regular maintenance and prompt repairs are key to ensuring your furnace runs efficiently and reliably throughout the heating season. If you’re unsure about the cause of your furnace’s constant operation, don’t hesitate to contact Medina’s trusted HVAC professional, Gene’s Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, for a thorough inspection and expert advice. Your home’s comfort and energy efficiency depend on it!
We want our neighbors here in Medina, OH, to come to a happy, healthy furnace every night this season. To restore your unit to optimal condition, call us at 330-723-4104 or request service online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on outdoor temperature, your home’s insulation, and your furnace size, but many homes see longer heating cycles during colder Northeast Ohio weather. If cycles routinely run very long and the house still feels uneven, it can point to heat loss, airflow issues, or a system sizing problem that needs a closer look.
Nighttime temperatures often drop, and wind can increase heat loss, so the system may run longer to maintain the same indoor setpoint. If certain rooms get noticeably colder at night, check for drafts, attic insulation gaps, and leaky windows or doors, since those can make the furnace work harder.
Yes. If the furnace is too small for the home, it may struggle to reach the set temperature during colder stretches and run for long periods. A proper load calculation and airflow check can confirm whether sizing, duct design, or home heat loss is the real reason it is running so much.
Constant operation is not automatically dangerous, but you should treat certain signs as urgent. If you notice a burning smell that does not fade, soot, unusual rattling or banging, frequent headaches, or a carbon monoxide alarm, shut the system off and contact a qualified HVAC professional right away.
It can. If combustion is not steady or the flame signal is weak, the system may have trouble maintaining consistent heat output, which can lead to extended run times and comfort issues. Because this involves combustion safety, it is best handled during professional service.
They can. Restricting supply or return airflow can make it harder to move warm air through the home, which may lead to longer run times and hot or cold spots. For most homes, keeping returns clear and avoiding shutting off large areas helps the system heat more evenly.
Start with the biggest wins: seal obvious drafts, add insulation where it is thin, and use a sensible schedule so you are not overheating an empty house. If you are in Medina, OH and run times suddenly spike, Gene’s Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical can check efficiency basics like airflow, combustion performance, and duct leakage so the system is not working harder than it needs to.
