Furnaces are some of the most popular home heating systems. These forced air systems can produce their own heat source and distribute warm air throughout your home. Without these heat sources, low seasonal temperatures would make your home interior nearly unlivable.
While furnaces should last anywhere from 15 to 20 years, issues can arise that cause premature breakdowns. Malfunctions can be tricky to diagnose, but knowing the signs of a bad furnace control board can help diagnose the problem.
Westerville’s furnace installation experts provide the top-rated HVAC services in the area, providing expert maintenance to resolve furnace control board problems. Call today to restore your home’s indoor heating function.
What is a Furnace Control Board?
Many people assume that furnaces operate without electricity. However, a furnace would not be able to provide warm air to your home without electrical power to catalyze the heating process.
Think of the furnace control board like the brain of your furnace’s electrical operations. The furnace control board triggers your system’s gas and ignition operations. Therefore, issues with your control board could cause breakdowns in your furnace’s warming function.
Learning the signs of a bad furnace control board can help you avoid long term breakdowns. Keep this crucial piece of your HVAC system working by scheduling routine preventative maintenance from qualified professionals. One way to reduce unexpected repair costs is by enrolling in a home service membership plan that covers inspections, tune-ups, and priority service year-round.
3 Leading Signs of a Bad Furnace Control Board
Warning Lights
Every furnace control board connects to a system of LED lights that provide warnings during times of malfunction. While every warning system works differently, a diagnostic light signals that you should call professionals to inspect your furnace control board. Since these lights connect to the whole system rather than a specific mechanism, expert technicians will need to diagnose the root cause.
Temperature Inconsistencies
Healthy furnaces provide consistent warm air to your home based on the preferences you program into your thermostat. Since the furnace control board connects with your thermostat to regulate temperature control, temperature inconsistencies in different rooms might signal a problem with the control board.
Interruptions to Normal Cycling
All HVAC units function by executing cycles of both warm and cool air to regulate the temperatures within your home. If problems impact the functioning of your furnace’s control board, you may notice inconsistencies in home warming cycles. These interruptions to normal cycling can cause your house to warm up at inconvenient times or stop functioning altogether.
Why Your Control Board May Have Failed
Equally important to knowing the signs of a bad furnace control board is understanding why the breakdown occurred. Understanding the common causes of furnace issues helps professionals resolve the problem more efficiently.
Relay Switches Are Stuck
Relay switches are responsible for diverting electrical signals made by the control board to the relevant mechanisms in your furnace. If these switches become stuck, your furnace could stop functioning and your board may fail to operate properly.
Power Surges
Power surges can occur due to extreme weather events or while using too many high-powered devices at the same time. These overbearing electrical events can overpower your furnace control board and damage its electrical regulation capabilities. Power surges could break your furnace control board and require a replacement. To help prevent damage, it’s also important to practice electrical safety with holiday lighting and other seasonal decorations that place extra load on your system.
Wiring or Electrical Issues
Electrical and wiring issues can plague any part of your HVAC system. Since a furnace control board connects to your home’s electrical framework to power warming cycles, loose wire connections, tripped breakers, or blown fuses can inhibit functioning.
Call your HVAC professionals to perform tests with a voltage meter and identify the electrical problem at hand. Technicians may need to execute rewiring work or adjust the power settings on the thermostat terminal.
Transistor Breakdowns
The transistor on your furnace control board is another switch responsible for regulating electrical signals throughout your furnace’s mechanisms. One of the transistor’s main functions is to trigger the gas valve and door switch, which provides fuel to your furnace and ensures carbon monoxide doesn’t flow through your warm air. Breakdowns with the transistor require professional attention immediately.
Expired Lifespan
Your furnace should last for about 15 to 20 years. Problems with your furnace control board might indicate that your system is reaching the end of its lifespan. Call a professional HVAC service to replace your old system. If you’re exploring long-term, eco-conscious options, you might consider switching to geothermal heating as a sustainable and energy-efficient upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What are the top signs of a bad furnace control board?
Answer: Typical warning signs include a furnace that won’t start, frequent short cycling (turning on and off rapidly), blowing air that isn’t warm, continuous blower operation, unresponsive thermostat commands, error codes or blinking lights, and noticeable burning smells or scorch marks.
Question: Why does my blower fan keep running even when the furnace isn’t heating?
Answer: A malfunctioning relay on the control board could be stuck in the closed position. This prevents the board from signaling the blower to turn off properly, causing it to run continuously.
Question: How can error codes or LED lights point to control board issues?
Answer: Many furnaces feature diagnostic LEDs that flash error codes when the control board detects a fault. Patterns of blinking lights, or no light at all, can indicate specific control board failures or that the board isn’t receiving any power.
Question: What internal board faults contribute to control board failures?
Answer: Common internal failures include cracked or poor solder connections, failed relays, stuck electro-mechanical switches, damaged transistors, and circuit failures caused by power surges or static discharge.
Question: What should I do if I suspect a control board problem?
Answer: First, inspect for visible damage like burning or corrosion. Use a multimeter to check for correct power input and test output signals. However, because of the complexity and safety concerns, professional diagnosis and replacement are usually recommended.
Call Professional Furnace Technicians from World Class Services
To learn more about signs of a bad furnace control board or hire expert furnace repair, call us at World Class Services at (614) 587-8985 and schedule professional technicians in Westerville, OH.
