Furnace Shutting Off Due to Collapsed Duct
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Collapsed Duct Causes Furnace to Keep Shutting Off | Furnace Repair in Augusta, GA
Augusta Homeowner’s Furnace Kept Shutting Off
Typically, heating systems don’t have to work too hard in Augusta. The winters here are mild, with average lows around the low forties and reaching as high as 70° mid-January. So, when a furnace here starts acting up, there’s typically a deeper issue at play.
That was the case for one Augusta resident. The high limit switch inside their Carrier furnace’s heat exchanger kept tripping and shutting off the system. Usually, the high limit switch is meant to prevent the furnace from overheating. Since this happened repeatedly, it meant either the switch was defective or something was causing heat buildup inside the unit.
As one of our regular customers, they knew exactly who to call to figure out what was going on. Every furnace in Augusta’s best friend—Bailey's Comfort Services!
The Cascading Effect: From Duct Issues to Heat Exchanger Shutoff
When we visited their home, we pinpointed the root cause, which turned out to be a collapsed duct!
How does a collapsed duct cause the high limit switch to flip? It’s pretty simple. Your furnace needs good air circulation to run at a safe temperature. It’s actually for this reason (among others) that we recommend changing your HVAC system's filter every month or two. Doing so helps preserve adequate airflow to your furnace.
In this case, however, an internal duct had collapsed, resulting in the lining peeling back and obstructing airflow. With that blockage, hot air kept backing up inside the furnace, resulting in unsafe temperatures.
Fortunately, the high limit switch did its job by shutting off the furnace before its heat levels became dangerous. Ultimately, the problem wasn’t with the furnace but the ventilation.
Naturally, we were able to repair the issue by fixing the ductwork and clearing the obstruction. After that, the furnace was back to its regular operation.
The High Limit Switch: A Safety Measure and a Symptom
The high limit switch is an important part of your heating system. It’s located in the heat exchanger, the part of your heater that’s responsible for safely transferring heat to your home’s ventilation system.
High Limit Switch Function
As your furnace runs, the coils in the heat exchanger warm up. When they’re hot enough, the blowers push air past the coils to distribute it throughout your home. If it gets too hot inside the furnace, like in this case, the high limit switch triggers. This shuts the entire system down.
Common Causes of High Limit Switch Tripping
When a furnace shutdown occurs in Augusta, you need to find the root cause. Here are some common reasons the high limit switch might keep tripping:
- Excessive heating: If your system is running too much, it could result in heat buildup within the system. Improving your home’s insulation can prevent this from happening.
- Dirty air filters: Like collapsed ducts, a dirty air filter can obstruct airflow, resulting in excess heat buildup. This is an easy fix!
- Dust buildup in the ductwork: A duct doesn’t have to collapse to be a problem. Sometimes, it might just be dust or other debris building up inside it. Thorough duct cleaning can remedy this issue.
- Malfunctioning blower: Mechanical issues like a broken-down blower fan can limit air circulation in your furnace. Augusta furnace repairs are needed in this case.
- Malfunctioning blower: Mechanical issues like a broken-down blower fan can limit air circulation in your furnace. Augusta furnace repairs are needed in this case.
If you notice that your furnace keeps shutting off, it’s important to get to the root cause. Our Augusta HVAC experts can help you pinpoint the issue and resolve it promptly. Call us to get your furnace running normally again!
Call Augusta’s Local Heating and Cooling Experts!
Bailey's has been serving Augusta for 20 years. With our headquarters just down the road from Brookfield Park, we are the perfect choice when you need prompt service with your furnace and duct issues. Trust us to restore your home to perfect comfort! We’ll be able to sniff out whatever’s causing your furnace to shut down.