Why Is My Furnace in Phoenix, AZ, Overheating?
Your furnace may overheat while warming your home in Phoenix, AZ. If it does, it will shut down without reaching your set point. Provided it’s working correctly, a component called the limit switch shuts off your furnace as a safety precaution because the interior shouldn’t go above a certain temperature. As for the overheating itself, this can arise in a furnace because of dirt build-up, obstructions to airflow or mechanical failure.
Dirt and Dust Build-Up
Over time, dirt, dust and other debris can enter your furnace through the return vent or leaks in your ductwork. If your filter is full or the debris bypasses it, it can coat the internal components like the heat exchanger and motor. Layers of debris have an insulating nature, causing your furnace to rise in temperature as it runs. During yearly maintenance, your service technician will make sure to clean your furnace’s internal parts to help keep the system running smoothly.
Obstructions to Airflow
Even if debris isn’t coating your system’s internal components, something might be blocking the air that flows throughout your ductwork. Other obstructions can come from closed vents or vents that furniture blocks, as well as dirty air filters, so make sure that your filter is clean and that all vents have a good amount of clearance to allow air to flow freely. Otherwise, your furnace may need to work harder to make up for the lack of airflow, resulting in more energy usage and potential overheating.
Failing Motor or Other Part
When parts wear out, they start to work less efficiently; a motor that’s going out may draw too much current to do its job, which would lead to overheating and a premature shutdown of the system. Regular maintenance can catch smaller issues before they spiral out of control and become bigger ones, though, making it all the more important.
If you live in Phoenix and need a service technician to diagnose your overheating furnace and provide the right repair, call us at Island Breeze AC today. Though we’re a Trane Comfort Specialist, our NATE-certified service technicians can service any gas, oil or electric furnace.
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