Texas is known for its heat. According to U.S. News & World Report, it’s the #1 hottest state in America, with July 2023’s maximum hottest temperature resting at a scorching 98.8 degrees, especially in Fort Worth. However, people rarely talk about how these temperatures drop, with January lows dipping as low as the freezing point, causing many residents to wonder, “What causes furnace circuit boards to fail?”

At Minuteman Heating & Air, our licensed team, with a 4.8-star rating on Google and a 4.7-star Facebook rating, knows how frustrating this can be. That’s why we offer quick responses and expert care for immediate indoor relief. However, before delving into our top furnace repair services in Fort Worth, we’ll relay why furnace circuit boards fail. 

What Is a Furnace Circuit Board?

Many believe the thermostat is in charge of proper furnace functioning since it determines your indoor temperature and tells the unit when to cycle on and off. However, the real brain of the system is the circuit board.

This control center dictates how the furnace should work. It does everything from signaling the gas valves to release gas to shutting down the furnace if it overheats to prevent unit damage and safety issues. Unfortunately, if you’re wondering, “What causes furnace circuit boards to fail?” you may be experiencing circuit board malfunctions in Fort Worth, resulting in the following signs:

• A furnace that doesn’t respond to the thermostat settings
• Blower motor, compressor, or other component failures
• A long or short cycling unit, leading to random starting and stopping
• Warning lights turning on or flashing 

Why Is My Fort Worth Furnace Circuit Board Failing?

Now that you know some signs of a failing Fort Worth furnace circuit board, what causes them to malfunction? One of the most common causes is old age. 

Gas furnaces last 15 to 20 years, while their electric counterparts reach 30 with proper care. However, the circuit board has an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, meaning a replacement motherboard may be necessary long before you replace your heating system. 

Even with regular maintenance, this electrical part eventually and irreversibly wears due to excessive usage and environmental factors that cause additional wear and tear. So, sometimes, the only culprit is time, and there’s not much you can do to keep your system from failing. Still, what causes furnace circuit boards to fail prematurely in Fort Worth?

Power Surges Frying the Board

Power surges are one of the most dangerous things our homes undergo, leading to electrical shocks, fires, and even death. At the very least, they fry household appliances, including your coffee maker, washing machine, and even your furnace’s circuit board. 

Whether it’s a large appliance powering on, a lightning strike, or faulty wiring sending a significant amount of electrical voltage to your household electrical system, irreversible damage occurs. Your Fort Worth HVAC technician must replace the part to get your furnace working again. They may also insist on surge protectors to detect voltage irregularities and limit or divert them accordingly. 

Overheating Due to Dust Accumulation 

Unfortunately, overheating has the same frying effect as surges. When your air filters clog with contaminants, your furnace receives little to no air circulation. Therefore, oxygen isn’t present within the combustion chamber, causing the fuel to burn inefficiently and encouraging carbon monoxide buildup. 

The furnace works harder to undergo combustion, leading to overheating, and with little air circulation to cool off the inside of the system due to dust accumulation, it shuts down, causing damages. So, clean your filters seasonally and hire a Fort Worth professional to wipe down internal parts. 

Corrosion Caused by Excessive Moisture

During combustion, condensation also occurs due to massive temperature changes within the system. Improper ventilation that increases condensation buildup and clogged drain lines that cannot successfully remove the excessive moisture from the system also have a hand in encouraging corrosion. With that moisture exposure, your circuit board also corrodes, leading to ignition issues and shutdowns. 

A professional remedies this by unclogging drain lines, improving proper airflow with better ventilation, and regularly maintaining your furnace to spot moisture issues.

The Minutemen of Fort Worth HVAC Services!

Like the minutemen of the time before the American Revolution, our team is there at a minute’s notice, ready for action. We’re available seven days a week whether you need a furnace buying guide or simply want to know what causes furnace circuit boards to fail. So, call Minuteman Heating & Air to schedule reliable Fort Worth services at fair prices and learn more about our HVAC maintenance guide today!