When you run into your home after unloading groceries in Oakland County, Michigan, or pick up your kids from a snowy school day, you expect your furnace to turn on and blow warm air. If your furnace isn’t working as it should or shuts off when you’re home, you may be facing overheating due to a dirty air filter, a thermostat issue, or a clogged drain. All of these issues are annoying and may jeopardize the warmth in your home.
If your furnace keeps shutting off, try these steps to get it working again✅. If it happens more than once or these fixes aren’t working, give the HVAC Comfort Inc (“HVAC Comfort”) team a call. We’ll investigate the main cause and offer a fix that doesn’t break the bank.
“In Commerce, Brighton, and nearby neighborhoods. it’s not uncommon to notice issues with your furnace when you turn it on for the first time or are consistently using it. Annoying, yes, but our cold winter weather is the true culprit of why your furnace keeps shutting off. I hope this guide helps your family as much as it helped mine when I purchased my first home.”
Greg Matson
Owner
1 – Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter
A common reason why your furnace keeps shutting off is because of your air filter. Located either inside the furnace system or affixed to a wall connected to your central air duct*, your air filter may need to be replaced. Buying a new, high-quality air filter and replacing the current one may be the solution. Doing this every one to three months is ideal, but a replacement today could immediately repair your furnace problem.
*In older homes or custom-built homes near Brighton, White Lake, and across all of Michigan, you may find an air filter in both locations. Always follow the equipment manual!
How to fix it:
Replace the Air Filter in Your Furnace
Search for the air filter in your furnace. It may appear in any of the locations shown in the photo below. Most furnace units have a labeled compartment and require you to unscrew, unclip, or loosen a latch to access the filter. Always check the equipment manual before replacing the air filter or addressing any furnace repair issues.
Replace the Air Filter on Your Wall or Ceiling
Search for a large vent on your walls or ceiling. It may appear in any of the locations shown in the photo below. Most furnace units connected to a central system will have the air filter in a large air vent (or air grille). You must unscrew, unclip, or loosen a latch to access the filter. Always check the equipment manual if you plan to replace the filter or address any issue related to your furnace that keeps shutting off.
Why this works: Dirt, dust, and build-up that your air filter catches can restrict airflow. Your furnace system may overheat because of this.
Other tips:
- To improve the air quality in your home, we recommend buying an air filter that removes allergens, dust, dirt, and bacteria. The front packaging of your air filter will describe what benefits it provides.
- Save money by buying air filters in bulk. Your local home improvement store or a discount warehouse store will offer bulk air filter deals.
- Work with a professional HVAC company if you need help locating the air filter or to address why your furnace keeps shutting off.
- Save money and time by asking HVAC Comfort Inc, partnered with David’s Heating and Cooling, to replace the filter during your annual furnace inspection.
2 – Replace the Batteries in your Thermostat
The issue of your furnace shutting off prematurely or randomly may be due to old batteries. After you check the settings to ensure your temperature is set to heat and the number you desire, look at the equipment guide to learn how to open the battery compartment. Replace the batteries and close the thermostat. Watch your thermostat closely as you evaluate the temperature in your home.
It’s important to note that some thermostats are hard wired. Below is a list of brands that commonly utilize batteries to power the equipment.
- Honeywell
- Emerson
- Google Nest
- Ecobee
How to fix it:
- Locate your thermostat.
- Look at the equipment guide to learn how to open the battery compartment.
- Open the battery compartment.
- Grab new, fresh batteries.
- Replace the current batteries.
- Close the battery compartment.
- Correctly dispose of the old batteries.
- Monitor your air temperature and what’s reading on the thermostat. If your furnace keeps shutting off, proceed to the next step.
Why this works: A dead or dying battery will make your thermostat incorrectly communicate with your furnace unit. When you replace the dead battery, you limit the potential for shutdowns due to system miscommunication.
Other tips:
- Work with HVAC Comfort Inc to do a complete furnace inspection when your unit keeps shutting off. It may be due to the thermostat, but we can confirm and check all parts and pieces to ensure your safety and comfort.
3 – Clear the Clogged Condensate Drain
Furnace units with a high SEER rating (or high-efficiency rating) produce condensation that must be drained away. This is especially present in homes near Howell, Waterford, and Oakland County, as Michigan is humid. If you don’t clear the condensation regularly through furnace maintenance or have a condensate pump to remove the condensation, the drain can get clogged and shut off your furnace.
How to fix it:
Contact a local HVAC contractor to clear the clogged condensate drain. Some homeowners want to do this themselves, but a lot can go wrong if you are new to HVAC repair or fast repair.
The professionals at HVAC Comfort Inc will first locate the condensate drain line (typically a PVC pipe that runs from the furnace to a drain or outside) and then flush the blockage. We have special equipment and procedures to do this effectively.
Why this works: A clogged drain in your furnace means that condensation is building up. When there’s a backup, your furnace might automatically switch off to avoid a water or electrical disaster.
Other tips:
- When your furnace is on for the season, visually inspect the condensate line and pan monthly. Look for any signs of clogs or blockages or standing water. These issues may be causing your furnace to keep shutting off and warrant HVAC company help.
- Save money by scheduling annual furnace inspections. Our inspection service will address condensation issues before winter is in full swing.
Get Help from Oakland County Furnace Repair Experts
When you’re facing any furnace trouble in Berkley, Franklin, or surrounding areas, you can count on the team at HVAC Comfort to fix it. Our local emergency furnace repair team is there whether it’s your furnace that keeps shutting off or you’re dealing with something like a furnace smell, cold air blowing, or puddling water.
Our team offers heating and cooling services in the following areas. Give us a call or book online to get furnace repair help.
Written By: HVAC Comfort Team