What Causes Soft Lockout on a Furnace in Sheboygan, WI?

Prompt furnace repair services extend your system’s lifespan and ensure consistent comfort. Call 262-218-2636 to schedule repairs or maintenance with Professional Services in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. 

Bitter Wisconsin winters require consistent heating cycles to keep your home at a cozy, ideal temperature. When the furnace suddenly stops cycling, it affects the entire household’s comfort. What causes soft lockout on a furnace?

That question will quickly have you searching for “furnace repair companies near me” in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Professional Services has an answer and a solution to your query. Find out why furnace ignition lockout happens below. 

Furnace Anatomy 101

Gas furnaces are elegant appliances with numerous components working in tandem to warm your home. While the gas fuels each furnace cycle, it can also threaten your household if a component malfunctions. Therefore, your furnace has some safety features to prevent leaks, overheating, and other issues. 

Your thermostat signals to the control panel when the temperature dips below the setting. The control panel fires off more signals to various parts to gear up. Then, the furnace uses gas to ignite the pilot light and raise the heating element’s temperature. 

This process warms the air that the ductwork pushes through each output vent. When the process goes according to plan, it heats your household through a 15 to 20-minute cycle. If a soft lockout occurs, it shortens the cycle and powers the furnace down. What causes soft lockout on a furnace, and how can you address it?

What Is a Soft Lockout?

A soft lockout is a system shutdown that happens when a safety feature detects a potential threat. For example, a sensor may detect too much or too little pressure in the heating chamber and initiate the lockout. A technician can typically reset your furnace, diagnose the problem, and restart your heating cycles following a soft lockout. 

However, too many reset attempts may trigger a hard lockout. Hard lockouts require a complete system reset before you can use your furnace again. 

What Causes Soft Lockout on a Furnace?

Component failures or an overworked system typically cause soft lockouts. Your soft lockout might occur because of:

• A faulty ignition sequence: The ignitor or pilot light has a tiny flame that ignites the burner or heating element. If the ignitor fails to create the ignition flame, it may cause your furnace to shut down. 
• Dirty flame sensors: A flame sensor detects the presence of gas and fire, giving the other components the go-ahead to continue the heating cycle. Flame sensors collect ash and grime over time, preventing them from detecting internal combustion. 
• Old air filter: Dirty, forgotten air filters create excessive air resistance, forcing the whole system to work too hard. This resistance can create too much pressure and trigger the furnace’s safety features. 
• Triggered limit switch: The limit switch determines whether the temperature and pressure level in the furnace chamber are safe. Exorbitant heat or pressure will trigger the limit switch to initiate a soft lockout. 

Soft lockouts typically occur because of minor maintenance issues. However, they can also alert you to potentially hazardous furnace conditions. Heating equipment causes nearly 46,000 house fires yearly, while damaged electrical networks cause 32,000. A damaged furnace could contribute to both. 

Soft Lockout Prevention for Households in Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Fortunately, you can prevent soft lockouts and other furnace concerns with the following tips:

1. Schedule annual furnace maintenance. Professional maintenance services from providers like Professional Services address issues like dirty flame sensors or faulty pilot lights. 
2. Use your furnace conservatively. Frigid winters in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, tempt many homeowners to crank up their furnaces. However, you should maintain a temperature setting no higher than 70 degrees to prevent overuse and excessive wear and tear. 
3. Replace the air filter regularly. Set reminders on your mobile device to change the filter every three months. You’ll have cleaner air and a furnace that functions effortlessly. 

How to Address Soft Lockouts

When your furnace confronts you with a soft lockout, it signals that it needs help from a professional technician. If you haven’t changed your air filter in a while, see if a fresh one helps. However, you should rely on an HVAC expert if the lockouts persist. 

Call Professional Services in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, About Continued Soft Lockouts

What causes soft lockout on a furnace in a Sheboygan home? Now that you know the answer, you can help prevent lockouts and will know what to do if one occurs. Schedule furnace maintenance with Professional Services to protect your furnace, household, and family. 

Furnace ignition failure can indicate dangerous problems. Call Professional Services in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, at 262-218-2636 for a technician’s assistance.