3 Signs of a Bad Furnace Transformer

A furnace can become a homeowner's best friend when outdoor temperatures begin to drop. However, without a functional furnace, you can’t easily maintain a warm and comfortable indoor living environment.

Modern furnaces feature many different components that must work in coordination with one another to properly heat a home. If any one of these components starts to malfunction, you could find yourself without access to heat.

One component that homeowners may not know much about is the transformer. The transformer is responsible for helping to regulate the electrical current that runs through your furnace system. The transformer increases or decreases the voltage of the electrical current before it enters your furnace.

When a transformer goes bad, your furnace will not be able to access the electricity it needs to heat your home efficiently. Learn more about the warning signs of a bad transformer so that you can address this problem quickly should it arise in your home this winter.

1. Circuit Breaker Tripping

Your furnace connects to a circuit breaker responsible for protecting your home's electrical system against damage. A sudden surge in voltage could damage essential electrical components, so the circuit breaker automatically eliminates electrical access when a power surge is detected.

A furnace transformer is responsible for regulating the power that supplies the furnace itself. Damaged transformers are not capable of regulating the flow of electricity properly, which can result in sudden power surges.

Power surges that trip your circuit breaker will become more frequent when the transformer in your furnace goes bad. Use circuit breaker trips as a guide to help you identify a transformer in need of repairs.

2. Excessive Humming or Vibration

Mechanical components in your home will often make some sounds as they operate. For example, a furnace transformer will hum slightly while your heating system is in use. This humming is due to the natural expansion and contraction that occurs in your heating system.

A damaged transformer will exhibit excessive humming whenever your furnace kicks on. This excessive humming can graduate to full-on vibrating as the damaged transformer deteriorates.

An HVAC technician will be able to repair or replace a humming or vibrating transformer to get your furnace functioning efficiently and quietly once again.

3. No Heat

Any time you increase the temperature setting on your furnace's thermostat, the furnace should turn on and produce heated air until your home reaches the new temperature setting. However, if you adjust the temperature on your thermostat but no heat comes out, a bad transformer could be to blame.

The furnace needs access to a reliable source of electricity to function properly. Since a bad transformer cannot regulate the electrical voltage in your furnace properly, electrical reliability is compromised. A professional can diagnose the exact issue and ensure that your transformer works as required.

Each component within your home's heating system plays an important role in the function of your furnace. The transformer is an essential component that helps to supply your furnace with the right amount of electricity necessary to heat your home. However, malfunctioning transformers have the potential to compromise the safety and comfort of your indoor living space.

If you suspect that your furnace transformer has started to go bad, reach out to an HVAC company for help. Call Central York to have an experienced technician repair or replace a bad transformer and get your furnace running efficiently once again. We look forward to helping resolve all your furnace issues so that you can have a warm and comfortable home all fall and winter long. Please let us know how we can help you today.