It's not unheard of for heating systems to have a problem once in a while. It could be as straightforward as a broken thermostat or an electrical issue. If your gas furnace won't shut off, here are a couple steps you can take to get a correctly working furnace again.
Check the Air Filter
A dirty air filter causes problems for numerous homeowners and their HVAC system. Here's why. It restricts airflow, making your furnace work harder and run longer to meet your desired temperature.
This increases usage on your furnace, as well as the likelihood 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 duplicating this process when your furnace turns on. This is called short cycling. In addition to wearing out your furnace more quickly, it can increase your heating bill and make your home feel uncomfortable.
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, remove it 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 connected to a clogged air filter, replacing it with a fresh 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 runs your furnace and basically informs the unit when to turn on and off. It's often the problem when your furnace won't stop running.
Sometimes having the heat turn off is as easy as adjusting an incorrect thermostat setting.
Make Sure Your Thermostat is Set to “Auto”
Your thermostat has two settings, “auto” and “on,” that control your heating system's blower motor.
“Auto” means the furnace blower will only operate when the furnace does.
“On” means the furnace blower will run continuously. This constant air flow can help with heat circulation 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 seem like your furnace is not turning off, but it's really just the furnace blower you're hearing. Switching it to "auto" should resolve the problem. It will also help you spend less 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 greater than the room air temp, your furnace will keep running until it hits your desired temp.
Keep in mind that if it's very cold outside, your furnace will have to run much longer than usual to keep your home cozy. This is because of a large temperature difference between the cold air outside and the warm indoors.
As a check, you can try reducing the thermostat to correspond with the room. Then, wait a few minutes. This should make the furnace turn off momentarily.
Put in New Batteries
If you have a programmable thermostat, it's likely battery powered. You can test replacing the batteries to see if that solves the issue. 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 turn off the power.
Turn Off the Power
Thermostat appears to be working fine but your furnace still won't turn off? There are two places you can shut off the power to your heating unit: at the breaker box and at its dedicated power switch.
- Head to your breaker box and locate the breaker labeled "furnace." Push the breaker switch to the right to shut off power.
- Next, look for the dedicated power switch to your heating system. It's similar to a light switch and can be found on or close to your furnace. Move 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 602-906-0111 for professional service, as you may need 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 bad, it might seem like your furnace running nonstop, even though just the blower is going.
You might notice a furnace error code if there's an issue with the limit switch. Your furnace will communicate using a flashing red light on the front of your heating system.
Our Experts can identify and correct any issues 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.
Bad Thermostat
Like other things in your home, your thermostat can break down as time passes and need to be replaced. If you're due for a new one, ask us about getting a smart thermostat.
These thermostats make it easy 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 keep tabs on your thermostat from just about anywhere with your phone.
Leaky Air Ducts
Your furnace uses ductwork to distribute hot air to vents across your home. If your home or ductwork is older, your furnace might be operating constantly since the ductwork is leaking hot air in the attic.
Diagnosing this leaky ductwork and other airflow problems can be difficult to troubleshoot on your own, since it's hidden behind walls and ceilings. Our Experts can help with identifying and taking care of 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 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 rely on our ACE-certified technicians to resolve your problem quickly and affordably. And what's even better, we back our HVAC system repairs with a 100% satisfaction guarantee for one year.* Call us at 602-906-0111 to schedule your appointment now.