A good gas furnace fixing guide helps you in determining what is wrong with the heater based on its signs. That's what we do here with clear, straightforward info.
Fixing Common Gas Furnace Issues
Every year, countless Calgary homeowners ask, "What's wrong with my gas furnace?" If you remain in that circumstance, this guide will equip you with info prior to you call a heater business. Understanding is defense versus being made the most of-- though a lot of repair professionals have sound ethics.
Keep in mind: This guide covers the most typical problems, particularly those most house owners can quickly consult no tools heating and cooling systems or basic tools such as screwdrivers and a multimeter.
1. The Furnace Will Not Start
If absolutely nothing occurs when the thermostat is set above the house's current temperature, the most likely causes are these:
- The furnace switch (located on or near the furnace, looks like a typical light switch) is switched off and merely requires to be turned on, though the heating system may have a brief delay prior to beginning
- The breaker is off, and if the circuit continues to trip after it is turned back on, there is likely a circuitry short in the heating system
- The thermostat isn't set to "heat," which is simple to examine and fix
- The thermostat isn't working, and this is in some cases triggered by a wire coming loose, so inspect the wiring connections
- The thermostat requires fresh batteries, if battery-powered, or it is bad and need to be replaced, a problem that can be detected using an electrical multimeter that reveals if a circuit is complete
- The filter is filthy and must be changed or cleaned, a problem that is specifically true on more recent furnaces that are equipped to close down if the filter isn't allowing sufficient air flow, a condition that can trigger major mechanical failure
- The heating system's main circuit board/control board is bad, a concern that can be detected by a HEATING AND COOLING technician is absolutely nothing else fixes the problem
2. Heating System Blowing Cold Air
If the furnace will not produce heat, you can examine to see if it is getting power by moving the fan switch from the "Vehicle" position to the "On" position. If the fan begins, then the heating system is getting power. The most likely problems then are:
- The gas is shut off, so inspect the gas cock near the heating system to make sure it is parallel efficient heating and cooling to the gas line
- The gas control valve isn't opening and should be replaced
- The ignitor is stopping working and should be replaced
- The draft motor isn't working or the fresh-air intake is obstructed, possibly by snow or particles, and requires to be cleared
3. The Draft Motor Runs, Heater Won't Start
The draft motor is likewise called the inducer motor. It pulls hot combustion gases through the heater and out the exhaust stack. If it begins and then the heating system closes down, the cause might be:
- The motor or the board that manages it has actually stopped working and should be changed
- A blocked air intake or blocked exhaust chimney (snow, debris and bird's nests are common causes) should be cleared
- Among the issues discussed above with gas, gas valve and ignitor must be dealt with
4. The Draft Motor Won't Start
The issue, in this case, is either that the motor is bad or the capacitor that supports it is bad. This video will help you in fixing draft motor problems and what is causing them.
5. The Flame Begins, however the Heater Shuts Down
If the burner starts making heat however soon shuts off without warming your house, the flame sensing unit isn't working. If the sensor has corrosion on it, sanding it might work, though changing it is a longer-lasting fix.
6. The Blower Will Not Shut Down
If the blower motor runs all the time, there are 3 common concerns:
- The fan switch on the thermostat is set to "on" instead of "automobile".
- Relays in the control board are stuck in the closed position, so the blower is getting a constant supply of electrical power, and the control panel must be replaced.
- The thermostat also has contacts that manage power to the heater, and they can be used, so the thermostat should be replaced.
7. Why Does the Furnace Keep Shutting Off?
If your heater burner lights however the heating system quickly turns off, there are a couple of common problems that may cause this:.
- The furnace filter is dirty and ought to be cleaned up or changed.
- The flame sensing unit isn't working and must be replaced.
- The thermostat is failing.
- While these prevail, there are a number of other prospective causes finest detected by a furnace professional. This video provides thorough protection to the problem of heater short-cycling.
8. The Heating System Runs however Can't Keep your house Warm.
If your furnace is correctly sized for your home, then it should keep your house warm even in extreme cold. If it runs constantly however isn't supplying sufficient heat, the most likely causes are:.
- An unclean filter that need to be cleaned (only if the washable type) or replaced.
- The filter is the wrong type for your furnace and limits airflow, so ought to be replaced.
- The filter is set up in reverse, a concern that can be inspected by looking for the arrows on the filter frame that reveal correct installation direction with the circulation of air.
- Duct are dripping, in some cases producing obvious whistling noises, and it is time to have them sealed as suggested by Energy Star.
9. The Heating System Makes Loud Noises.
A noisy heating system is frequently the outcome of:.
- The heating system being a single-stage model that operates on high capacity all the time, so it's going to be loud.
- A bad bearing in the draft motor or the blower motor that should be changed.
- A leak in the heater cabinet, sheet metal plenum or ductwork near the heating system that should be tightened.
- A filthy filter, which can likewise trigger whistling.
10. The Heater Leaks when Air Conditioning is Running.
Water condenses on the evaporator coil in your furnace, and if it leaks onto the flooring, the concern is probably a clogged drain pan or drain line.
11. The Air Coming from the Furnace Smells Bad.
Foul odors from the furnace are usually triggered by:.
- An extremely unclean filter that need to be cleaned, if washable, or changed.
- A dead rodent or bird someplace in the system, typically a task for a professional heater specialist.
12. The CO Screen Going Off.
A carbon monoxide gas alarm need to be taken seriously. Turn the furnace off at the thermostat. Do not enter into the room where the furnace is located. Open doors and windows, and go outside. Call 911 from a mobile phone outside your home.
How to Select a Gas Furnace Repair Specialist.
Some house owners choose the cheapest repair service in Calgary, and the outcomes are usually poor. Cheap services are either just beginning, so do not have experience or they have a bad track record, so need to provide low-cost pricing to get jobs.
On the other hand, some services are overpriced. The best method to discover quality heating system repair work at a reasonable rate is to get estimates from several of the top heating system repair work companies in Calgary. Consult with each, discover their history and the experience of the technicians that will do the work. Choose an experienced heating system repair specialist with affordable rates.