All You Need to Know About the Furnace Limit Switch

Furnace safety is something you can’t take lightly. Many homes rely on this type of heating system to keep warm during the fall and winter season. As such, it’s essential to be familiar with a crucial safety component in your heating system: the limit switch. Local heating and air conditioning repair contractor Stone Heating and Air explains what it does, the possible issues it may face, and the importance of ensuring its efficient operation.

Understanding the Furnace Limit Switch

The limit switch is a critical component in managing the temperature of your furnace. It’s a safety device that monitors and detects heat from within the unit, making sure it doesn’t go beyond safe levels.

Whenever your furnace is in operation and the heat abruptly starts to climb up the charts, the limit switch steps in immediately. It shuts off the fuel supply to the burners, effectively stalling the heating process and averting potential hazards. This automatic cut-off feature is pivotal to maintaining your furnace’s efficiency and the safety of your home.

Once the fuel supply is cut, the cycling process begins. The furnace cools down, and the limit switch restores the fuel supply. The heating then resumes, effectively achieving the desired temperature.

Issues Related to a Furnace Limit Switch

But what happens when such a critical component malfunctions? You could have a furnace that refuses to start or consistently shuts off. An ignored or undetected faulty switch can also lead to overheating. Both scenarios highlight the need for professional HVAC repair and maintenance.

The Importance of Regular Furnace Maintenance

Annual or semi-annual maintenance is key to keeping your furnace’s interior components in proper working condition. An experienced technician will carefully inspect everything inside the unit, including the switch, making sure to clean out dust or debris and ensure they all function correctly. If any repairs are needed, the technician can also take care of them.

Take note that addressing furnace limit switch issues is not a DIY task but a job meant for seasoned professionals. Taking matters into your own hands may unintentionally amplify the problem, which could result in costly repairs and, worse, premature replacement.

Get in Touch With Us!

No heating and air conditioning repair guide can match a professional’s years of experience and training. For all your HVAC replacement, repair and maintenance needs in Central Point, OR, turn to the heating and cooling specialists at Stone Heating & Air, Inc. Call us at (541) 855-5521, or fill out our contact form today to schedule a consultation!