A good gas furnace troubleshooting guide assists you in identifying what is wrong with the furnace based upon its signs. That's what we do here with clear, uncomplicated info.
Fixing Common Gas Heating System Issues
Every year, countless Calgary property owners ask, "What's wrong with my gas furnace?" If you remain in that circumstance, this guide will arm you with details before you call a heating system company. Knowledge is defense versus being made the most of-- though the majority of repair work experts have sound principles.
Keep in mind: This guide covers the most typical issues, specifically those most property owners can quickly check with no tools or basic tools such as screwdrivers and a multimeter.
1. The Furnace Will Not Start
If nothing occurs when the thermostat is set above the home's current temperature, the most likely causes are these:
- The heating system switch (located on or near the furnace, looks like a typical light switch) is turned off and just needs to be switched on, though the heater may have a brief delay before starting
- The breaker is off, and if the circuit continues to journey after it is turned back on, there is likely an electrical wiring brief in the heating system
- The thermostat isn't set to "heat," which is simple to inspect and remedy
- The thermostat isn't working, and this is often brought on by a wire coming loose, so inspect the wiring connections
- The thermostat requires fresh batteries, if battery-powered, or it is bad and must be replaced, an issue that can be detected utilizing an electrical multimeter that reveals if a circuit is complete
- The filter is filthy and need to be changed or cleaned up, a problem that is especially true on more recent furnaces that are geared up to close down if the filter isn't permitting adequate air circulation, a condition that can trigger major mechanical failure
- The heater's main circuit board/control board is bad, a concern that can be identified by an A/C specialist is nothing else solves the issue
2. Heater Blowing Cold Air
If the heater will not produce heat, you can examine to see if it is getting power by moving the fan switch from the "Automobile" position to the "On" position. If the fan comes on, then the furnace is getting power. The most likely concerns then are:
- The gas is switched off, so examine the gas dick near the heating system 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 must be replaced
- The draft motor isn't functioning or the fresh-air consumption is blocked, maybe by snow or debris, and requires to be cleared
3. The Draft Motor Runs, Furnace Will Not Start
The draft motor is likewise called the inducer motor. It pulls hot combustion gases through the furnace and out the exhaust stack. If it starts and then the heating system closes down, the cause might be:
- The motor or the board that manages it has actually failed and should be changed
- A blocked air intake or blocked exhaust chimney (snow, debris and bird's nests are common causes) must be cleared
- Among the problems talked about above with gas, gas valve and ignitor need to be attended to
4. The Draft Motor Won't Start
The problem, in this case, is either that the motor is bad or the capacitor that supports it is bad. This video will assist you in repairing draft motor issues and what is causing them.
5. The Flame Begins, but the Heating system Shuts Down
If the burner begins making heat but quickly shuts off without warming your home, the flame sensing unit isn't working. If the sensing unit has rust 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 typical concerns:
- The fan turn on the thermostat is set to "on" rather than "vehicle".
- Relays in the control panel are stuck in the closed position, so the blower is getting a continuous supply of electricity, and the control panel should 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 Heating System Keep Turning Off?
If your furnace company calgary furnace burner lights but the heater quickly shuts off, there are a few typical issues that may cause this:.
- The furnace filter is filthy and must be cleaned or replaced.
- The flame sensor isn't working and need to be changed.
- The thermostat is failing.
- While these prevail, there are several other possible causes finest detected by a furnace professional. This video gives thorough coverage to the issue of heater short-cycling.
8. The Furnace Runs but Can't Keep your home Warm.
If your heating system is effectively sized for your house, then it ought to keep your home warm even in extreme cold. If it runs constantly however isn't providing adequate heat, the most likely causes are:.
- A dirty filter that need to be cleaned (only if the washable type) or replaced.
- The filter is the incorrect type for your heater and restricts air flow, so should be changed.
- The filter is installed backwards, a concern that can be inspected by trying to find the arrows on the filter frame that reveal proper setup direction with the circulation of air.
- Air ducts are leaking, often producing obvious whistling sounds, and it is time to have them sealed as suggested by Energy Star.
9. The Furnace Makes Loud Noises.
A loud furnace is usually the outcome of:.
- The heater being a single-stage model that works on high capability all the time, so it's going to be loud.
- A bad bearing in the draft motor or the blower motor that must be replaced.
- A leakage in the heater cabinet, sheet metal plenum or ductwork near the furnace that need to be tightened.
- A dirty filter, which can likewise trigger whistling.
10. The Heater Leaks when A/C is Running.
Water condenses on the evaporator coil in your furnace, and if it leaks onto the flooring, the problem is most likely a stopped up drain pan or drain line.
11. The Air Coming from the Heater Smells Bad.
Foul odors from the heating system are normally caused by:.
- A really unclean filter that should be cleaned, if washable, or replaced.
- A dead rodent or bird someplace in the system, generally a task for a professional heater service technician.
12. The CO Screen Going Off.
A carbon monoxide gas alarm should be taken seriously. Turn the heating system off at the thermostat. Do not go into the space where the heating system is located. Open doors and windows, and go outside. Call 911 from a cellular phone outside your home.
How to Pick a Gas Furnace Repair Professional.
Some property owners pick the least expensive repair service in Calgary, and the outcomes are typically poor. Low-cost services are either heating and cooling near me simply getting going, so do not have experience or they have a bad track record, so need to provide inexpensive pricing to get jobs.
On the other hand, some services are overpriced. The best method to discover quality heating system repair work at a fair cost is to get quotes from numerous of the top heating system repair business in Calgary. Meet each, learn about their history and the experience of the specialists that will do the work. Select an experienced heater repair contractor with reasonable rates.