When it comes to HVAC systems, there are a lot of misconceptions and myths floating around. These myths can lead to homeowners making poor decisions about their heating and cooling systems, which ultimately can lead to increased energy bills and a less comfortable home. In this article, we’ll take a look at five common myths about HVAC systems and set the record straight.

 Sensors don’t need maintenance 

A Dirty Flame Sensor has to be one of the most common and preventable causes for a No Heat call. Just like it’s name states it senses the flame from the furnace and if it has excess build up of rust it will prevent the sensor from detecting the flame and the gas will turn off. Flame sensor cleaning should be done on every maintenance of the furnace to prevent this from happening.

#2 Hot Surface Ignitors Never Fail

The OEM hot surface ignitors are usually made up of silicon carbide which isn’t the strongest of materials. The HSI (Hot Surface Ignitor) receives voltage and starts to glow cherry red. If there are visible cracks, or even ones you can’t see, this can cause the HSI to not work. Over time just like anything they will fail but by testing the HSI during maintenance is something your HVAC tech can catch before it fails.

#3 Furnace Control Boards Are Never The Problem 

The furnace control board is the brain of your heating unit. It controls almost everything in your system. The control board sends signals to turn on the HSI, inducer motor, etc. If only one part of the sequence is off, then nothing will work and you’ll have no heat. Furnace control boards can fail from overheating, a power surge or lack of maintenance. Regular maintenance can extend the life of the control boards saving you money and inconvenience.

#4 Inducer Motors Are The Last Thing To Fail

The inducer motor pushes all the exhaust out of your furnace. When this motor fails you’ll usually hear humming, whirling or banging noises. Inducer motors commonly fail because of age, and overheating. A common issue is wasp or bird nests inside the exhaust pipe. These block air flow and can cause the inducer motor to over work and eventually fail. This condition, and others, can be avoided with a HVAC Maintenance Plan. Regular maintenance is a vital part of extending the life of your furnace for years to come.

#5 Air Filters Seldom Need Changing

Dirty air filters is the most common problem we see on no heat service calls. A dirty air filter blocks air flow through your furnace, causing your equipment to overheat. When your HVAC system overheats it causes it to shut down to prevent further damage. Your air filter is the first thing you should check when you have no heat. Because they are easy to check and easy to replace, changing your own filter can save you time, money, and inconvenience.