What Causes Furnace Circuit Board to Fail in Portsmouth, VA?
Winter in Portsmouth, VA, sees temperatures dip to the low 40s. It’s not exactly the crippling temperatures further up north, but it’s definitely not the time to be dealing with furnace problems.
Some furnace issues are more manageable than others, but problems like a damaged circuit board can be highly frustrating. You could be looking at a sudden furnace replacement.
What causes furnace circuit boards to fail? The name to count on for heating and cooling services in Portsmouth, VA, looks at all the possible causes in this post.
Loose Wiring in the Furnace System
All modern furnace systems use electricity in some capacity, including gas-burning models. Any weaknesses in the electrical connection to the furnace and inside it can cause the circuit board to fail. Unsecure wires can generate excessive heat through arcing, essentially frying the circuit board.
Does the display on the control panel flicker from time to time? Does the furnace struggle with ignition sometimes? These are some of the clearest signs of loose wiring. An experienced furnace technician can spot the problem and address it during maintenance calls before it finally renders your furnace unusable.
Power Surge During Serious Weather Events or General Power Grid Fluctuations
The circuit board in your furnace system doesn’t have a lot of protection against power surges. Therefore, any sudden voltage spike can cause permanent damage to the board.
This is why many industry experts recommend installing whole-home surge protectors or, at the very least, individual protectors to protect costly equipment such as your furnace. The protectors will intercept the extra voltage during spikes, saving you from expensive repairs.
Prolonged Use in the Face of Switch and Relay Problems
If you’re wondering, “What causes furnace circuit boards to fail?” it could be the switches and relays in the system.
Switches and relays act as a bridge between the circuit board and other parts of the furnace system. They control everything from the ignition to keeping the blower motor running during a heating cycle. However, these components can wear out or fail over time, sending incorrect signals to the circuit board.
Running the furnace while these issues persist can lead to the circuit board failing completely.
Static Electricity During Low Humidity Periods
Have you felt the impact of static electricity upon touching surfaces around your Portsmouth, VA, home during the dry winter? It’s not as harmless as you might think!
That minor shock might not be enough to cause you harm, but it can certainly damage your circuit board if your furnace is the surface you touched while carrying the static charge.
Therefore, it’s always important to transfer the charge elsewhere or ground yourself before you touch your furnace system during periods when static electricity is high.
Wear and Tear Due to Old Age
Your furnace’s circuit board should last as long as the furnace itself. However, it’s not uncommon for circuit boards to fail before the furnace. This is especially true if the furnace is more than 12 years old and has seen a lot of use without adequate maintenance.
When this happens, the furnace will no longer transmit instructions for all or some of the processes that require the circuit board. In this scenario, most HVAC technicians will recommend either replacing the circuit board or upgrading to a new furnace system.
Constant Expansion and Contraction
What causes furnace circuit boards to fail when everything else seems fine? It could be something as simple as thermal expansion.
Flexible components in the furnace will blow up and contract as they heat up and cool down during everyday operation. After years of use, this could weaken connections and solder joints on the circuit board, causing it to fail.
An experienced technician can spot circuit board damage due to thermal expansion by visually inspecting the board.
Will every furnace suffer the effects of thermal expansion? In a word, no. You can protect your unit from this problem by taking steps to ensure your furnace always runs within the recommended temperature range.
Get Expert Furnace Repair Services From Your Local Experts in Portsmouth, VA
What causes furnace circuit boards to fail? As we’ve seen above, it’s not always easy for an untrained person to determine the exact cause. Do you suspect circuit board problems within your furnace system? Are you experiencing other common furnace issues?
Trust Hats Off Heating and Air Conditioning for error-free diagnosis and the most cost-effective fix. Call us today to schedule a consultation.