A good gas heating system fixing guide helps you in determining what is wrong with the furnace based on its symptoms. That's what we do here with clear, straightforward details.
Fixing Common Gas Heating System Issues
Every year, thousands of Calgary property owners ask, "What's wrong with my gas furnace?" If you're in that scenario, this guide will equip you with information before you call a heater company. Understanding is protection against being taken advantage of-- though a lot of repair work experts have sound ethics.
Keep in mind: This guide covers the most common problems, specifically those most property owners can quickly consult no tools or basic tools such as screwdrivers and a multimeter.
1. The Furnace Won't Start
If nothing occurs when the thermostat is set above the house's present temperature level, the most likely causes are these:
- The heating system switch (situated on or near the furnace, appears like a typical light switch) is shut off and simply requires to be turned on, though the furnace may have a brief hold-up before beginning
- The circuit breaker is off, and if the circuit continues to journey 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 correct
- The thermostat isn't working, and this is sometimes triggered by a wire coming loose, so examine the electrical wiring connections
- The thermostat requires fresh batteries, if battery-powered, or it is bad and should be replaced, an issue that can be diagnosed using an electrical multimeter that shows if a circuit is total
- The filter is dirty and should be changed or cleaned up, a concern that is particularly real on newer heaters that are equipped to close down if the filter isn't permitting adequate air flow, a condition that can cause severe mechanical failure
- The heater's primary circuit board/control board is bad, a concern that can be detected by an A/C specialist is nothing else solves the concern
2. Heater Blowing Cold Air
If the heating system won't produce heat, you can check to see if it is getting power by moving the fan switch from the "Vehicle" position to the "On" position. If the fan comes on, then the heating system is getting power. The likely issues then are:
- The gas is switched off, so examine the gas cock near the furnace to ensure it is parallel to the gas line
- The gas control valve isn't opening and must be replaced
- The ignitor is stopping working and need to be replaced
- The draft motor isn't operating or the fresh-air intake is blocked, possibly by snow or debris, and needs to be cleared
3. The Draft Motor Runs, Furnace Will Not Start
The draft motor is also called the inducer motor. It pulls hot combustion gases through the heating system and out the exhaust stack. If it starts and after that the heating system shuts down, the cause might be:
- The motor or the board that manages it has actually stopped working and should be replaced
- An obstructed air consumption or blocked exhaust chimney (snow, particles and bird's nests prevail causes) should be cleared
- One of the problems gone over above with gas, gas valve and ignitor must be resolved
4. The Draft Motor Will Not 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 repairing draft motor problems and what is triggering them.
5. The Flame Begins, but the Heating system Shuts Down
If the burner begins making heat however quickly turns off without warming your house, the flame sensor isn't working. If the sensing unit has corrosion on it, sanding it may work, though replacing it is a longer-lasting repair.
6. The Blower Won't Turn Off
If the blower motor runs all the time, there are 3 common problems:
- The fan turn on the thermostat is set to "on" instead of "car".
- Relays in the control panel are stuck in the closed position, so the blower is getting a constant supply of electrical energy, and the control board should be replaced.
- The thermostat also has contacts that control power efficient heating and cooling to the furnace, and they can be used, so the thermostat needs to be replaced.
7. Why Does the Furnace Keep Shutting Down?
If your heater burner lights but the furnace quickly shuts down, there are a couple of typical problems that might trigger this:.
- The heater filter is filthy and need to be cleaned up or replaced.
- The flame sensing unit isn't working and must be changed.
- The thermostat is failing.
- While these are common, there are a number of other prospective causes finest diagnosed by a furnace specialist. This video provides in-depth protection to the problem of heater short-cycling.
8. The Furnace Runs but Can't Keep the House Warm.
If your heating system is correctly sized for your home, then it must keep your house warm even in severe cold. If it runs continuously but isn't offering adequate heat, the most likely causes are:.
- A dirty filter that must be washed (only if the washable type) or changed.
- The filter is the wrong type for your heater and limits air flow, so should be replaced.
- The filter is set up in reverse, a problem that can be inspected by searching for the arrows on the filter frame that reveal correct installation direction with the circulation of air.
- Duct are dripping, sometimes producing obvious whistling sounds, and it is time to have them sealed as recommended by Energy Star.
9. The Furnace Makes Loud Noises.
A loud heating system is most often the result of:.
- The heater being a single-stage model that runs 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 heating system cabinet, sheet metal plenum or ductwork near the heater that must be tightened.
- A dirty filter, which can also trigger whistling.
10. The Furnace Leaks when AC is Running.
Water condenses on the evaporator coil in your heating system, and if it leaks onto the floor, the problem is probably a stopped up drain pan or drain line.
11. The Air Coming from the Furnace Smells Bad.
Foul odors from the furnace are normally brought on by:.
- A very dirty filter that need to furnace installation calgary be cleaned, if washable, or replaced.
- A dead rodent or bird someplace in the system, generally a job for an expert heating system specialist.
12. The CO Screen Going Off.
A carbon monoxide alarm must be taken seriously. Turn the heating system off at the thermostat. Do not go into the room where the heating system lies. Open doors and windows, and go outside. Call 911 from a cellular phone outside your home.
How to Choose a Gas Furnace Repair Work Professional.
Some homeowners pick the least expensive repair service in Calgary, and the results are generally poor. Inexpensive services are either simply getting started, so lack experience or they have a bad reputation, so need to offer cheap pricing to get jobs.
On the other hand, some services are overpriced. The very best method to find quality furnace repair at a fair rate is to get quotes from numerous of the leading furnace repair companies in Calgary. Meet each, learn more about their history and the experience of the technicians that will do the work. Pick an experienced furnace repair work professional with reasonable rates.