Common Furnace Issues in Reading MA and How to Prevent Them
By Mike Sullivan
When a January cold snap sends temperatures below zero in Reading, the last thing any homeowner wants is a furnace failure. Yet our VENTNEX emergency service line receives a spike in calls from Reading residents every time the mercury drops, often for issues that could have been prevented with routine maintenance.
The most common furnace problem we encounter in Reading homes is a dirty or clogged flame sensor. This small component monitors whether the burner has successfully ignited. When it becomes coated with carbon buildup, it cannot detect the flame and shuts down the furnace as a safety precaution. Homeowners in the neighborhoods around Killam Elementary and along Charles Street frequently call us for this issue, which our technicians can resolve quickly during a routine maintenance visit.
Another frequent problem is a malfunctioning blower motor. The blower is responsible for pushing heated air through your ductwork, and when it fails, your furnace may run but produce little or no warm air. Worn bearings, electrical issues, and overheating due to restricted airflow from dirty filters are the most common causes. In older Reading homes near the MBTA commuter rail station and along Ash Street, we often find blower motors that are original to the home and long overdue for replacement.
Ignition problems round out the top three. Whether your Reading home has a hot surface igniter or an electronic spark ignition, these components wear out over time and can fail without warning. A professional HVAC maintenance visit includes testing the ignition system and identifying components that are nearing the end of their lifespan. Invest in preventive maintenance this fall and avoid being one of the hundreds of Reading homeowners scrambling for emergency furnace repair during the next cold snap.