Having problems with your furnace control board or other heating system components? BVS Home Experts can handle it! Call 281-628-2360 to schedule an inspection.

Furnaces consist of a complex network housing numerous components that make the machine operate. You might wonder about your heating system’s secrets when the time comes to switch your thermostat to the heat setting. For example, what does the furnace board do on most modern furnaces?

BVS Home Experts offers top-rated furnace repair in Sugar Land, TX. Therefore, we have ample experience decoding the mysteries of modern furnaces. We’ll demystify the control board’s function below.

What Is a Furnace Control Board?

The furnace control board is usually inside the access panel below the blower motor’s compartment. It looks similar to a desktop computer’s motherboard, with numerous wires, terminals, and signal strips populating the surface. It also functions similarly to a motherboard.

You could even think of the control board as your furnace’s motherboard. It essentially acts as your furnace’s brain and nervous system, sending signals that trigger actions in a specific order. Your heating system doesn’t “know” what to do without it.

What Does the Furnace Board Do on Most Modern Furnaces?

Stating that the control board thinks for the whole furnace helps you understand its purpose. However, it also oversimplifies its function. Like other machines, furnaces follow a particular sequence to determine whether to cycle.

The line of communication to cycling looks like this:

The thermostat detects the dropping temperature. Once the temperature dips below the setting, the thermostat signals for the furnace to cycle.
The control panel receives the signal and initiates the draft motor. The draft motor lowers the internal pressure and engages the pressure switch.
The pressure switch is a safety feature that ensures correct pressure levels and determines whether ignition is safe in the furnace environment. Once it senses the dropped pressure, it closes its connected circuit and signals to the control board that ignition can occur safely.
Once the control board receives the pressure switch’s signal, it sends a message to the gas valve indicating that it can release gas to the heating element.
The gas valve releases the fuel, causing instant combustion. The ignition triggers the control board to engage the flame sensor, which ensures a constant gas flow throughout the cycle.
Next, the control board communicates that the blower motor can power on. The blower motor circulates cool air into the furnace and warm air into the duct network.
Finally, the control receives the thermostat signal to communicate that the temperature has sufficiently risen. The board shuts down each component accordingly.

What does the furnace board do on most modern furnaces? It initiates an intricate symphony of messages and actions that keep your Sugar Land home cozy.

While the process seems long and complex, it occurs within a few moments. You might hear the soft clicks of engaged and disengaged components before and after each cycle.

Common Furnace Board Problems

Like any component, your control board can malfunction. Unlike other parts, you cannot ignore a control board issue. Typical concerns include:

Loose wires: The wires send signals and deliver power to the control board. When a wire comes loose, it inhibits the board’s functions.
Power surges and outages: Since the board needs electricity to function, it won’t work during a power outage. Similarly, a power surge can destroy the fragile components that help it signal to other parts.
Old age: Control boards can last up to 15 years, and furnaces have a similar life expectancy. However, your furnace might outlast the control board, prompting part replacement.
Other failing components: If, for example, the pressure switch fails, it cannot tell the control about the pressure levels. The control board needs information about whether the internal pressure is safe. Otherwise, it will disengage other components to protect your home.

HVAC professionals in Sugar Land, Texas, can advise you about equipment and methods to protect your furnace from these concerns, thereby preserving the control board.

How to Tell If Your Furnace Board Is on the Fritz in Sugar Land, Texas

If your control board has something wrong with it, it will likely communicate the issue before it blinks out. Check for the following warning signs:

Most furnace cycles last no more than 20 minutes and no less than 10 minutes. If your cycles exceed or fall below these estimates, inspect your furnace system for potential problems.
You might notice that your home feels too warm or too cool throughout the day. The control board might not communicate accurately with the thermostat.
Inspect your control board if these or other issues arise. Most modern control boards have LED lights indicating system stability or malfunction. See if the diagnostic lights blink or are illuminated.

If you discover a potential issue, call an HVAC expert in Sugar Land, Texas. Companies like BVS Home Experts will quickly dispatch a technician to troubleshoot your control board and ensure all components work harmoniously.

Keeping Your Furnace Board Working

You can mitigate most of these issues with regular furnace maintenance and occasional system upgrades. You’ll find a few ideas below:

Schedule annual maintenance from your HVAC company, preferably in late autumn. A technician will check all aspects of your furnace, including wire connections and diagnostic light status.
Incorporate smart thermostats into your home. They give better temperature control, improve efficiency, and ensure accurate communication with your furnace board.
Change your air filter every two or three months. Filthy filters force the system to overwork, straining your control panel and lowering its lifespan.
Self-inspect your system to identify anything strange. Report those concerns to your Sugar Land HVAC service.

BVS Home Experts Solve Problems with Control Boards and Other Components

What does the furnace board do on most modern furnaces? It functions as the furnace’s brain, dictating when other components should engage. BVS Home Experts can monitor and repair control boards and other parts in Sugar Land, Texas.

BVS Home Experts covers other helpful topics like how to check thermostat wires for power. Call 281-628-2360 about HVAC queries and concerns.