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A great gas heating system fixing guide assists you in identifying what is wrong with the heater based upon its signs. That's what we do here with clear, straightforward details.
Fixing Common Gas Furnace Issues
Every year, countless Calgary homeowners ask, "What's wrong with my gas furnace?" If you're in that situation, this guide will arm you with details prior to you call a heater company. Understanding is defense against being taken advantage of-- though a lot of repair specialists have sound ethics.
Keep in mind: This guide covers the most typical problems, especially those most house owners can quickly talk to no tools or standard tools such as screwdrivers and a multimeter.
1. The Furnace Will Not Start
If absolutely 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, appears like a typical light switch) is shut off and merely requires to be turned on, though the heating system might have a short delay before starting
- The breaker is off, and if the circuit continues to trip after it is turned back on, there is likely an electrical wiring short in the heating system
- The thermostat isn't set to "heat," which is simple to inspect and correct
- The thermostat isn't working, and this is in some cases triggered by a wire coming loose, so examine the electrical wiring connections
- The thermostat needs fresh batteries, if battery-powered, or it is bad and need to be changed, a problem that can be diagnosed utilizing an electrical multimeter that reveals if a circuit is total
- The filter is unclean and should be replaced or cleaned, an issue that is especially true on more recent heaters that are geared up to shut down if the filter isn't allowing appropriate air circulation, a condition that can trigger severe mechanical failure
- The furnace's primary circuit board/control board is bad, a concern that can be identified by a HVAC service technician is absolutely nothing else resolves the concern
2. Furnace Blowing Cold Air
If the heating system will not produce heat, you can inspect to see if it is getting power by moving the fan switch from the "Auto" position to the "On" position. If the fan comes on, then the heater is getting power. The most likely issues then are:
- The gas is shut off, so inspect the gas dick near the heating system to ensure it is parallel to the gas line
- The gas control valve isn't opening and should be replaced
- The ignitor is failing and need to be changed
- The draft motor isn't working or the fresh-air consumption is obstructed, maybe by snow or particles, and needs to be cleared
3. The Draft Motor Runs, Heating System Won't Start
The draft motor is likewise called the inducer motor. It pulls hot combustion gases through the heating system 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 controls it has actually stopped working and must be changed
- An obstructed air consumption or blocked exhaust chimney (snow, debris and bird's nests are common causes) must be cleared
- One of the concerns talked about above with gas, gas valve and ignitor should be addressed
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 troubleshooting draft motor concerns and what is causing them.
5. The Flame Starts, however the Heater Shuts Down
If the burner begins making heat however quickly shuts off without warming your home, the flame sensing unit isn't working. If the sensor has deterioration on it, sanding it may work, though replacing it is a longer-lasting fix.
6. The Blower Will Not Shut Off
If the blower motor runs all the time, there are three common concerns:
- The fan switch on the thermostat is set to "on" rather than "car".
- Relays in the control board are stuck in the closed position, so the blower is getting a continuous supply of electricity, and the control panel need to be changed.
7. Why Does the Heating System Keep Shutting Off?
If your heating system burner lights but the furnace quickly shuts off, there are a few typical issues 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 ought to be replaced.
- The thermostat is stopping working.
- While these are common, there are several other potential causes best detected by a furnace service technician. This video provides thorough protection to the problem of heating system short-cycling.
8. The Heating System Runs however Can't Keep your house Warm.
If your heating system is appropriately sized for your house, then it needs to keep your home warm even in severe cold. If it runs constantly but isn't providing enough heat, the most likely causes are:.
- A filthy filter that must be cleaned (only if the washable type) or changed.
- The filter is the wrong type for your heater and restricts air flow, so need to be replaced.
- The filter is installed backwards, a concern that can be inspected by trying to find the arrows on the filter frame that show appropriate installation direction with the circulation of air.
- Air ducts are dripping, sometimes producing telltale whistling sounds, and it is time to have them sealed as suggested by Energy Star.
9. The Heater Makes Loud Noises.
A loud heating system is frequently the result of:.
- A bad bearing in the draft motor or the blower motor that must be changed.
- A leakage in the heating system cabinet, sheet metal plenum or ductwork near the heater that should be tightened.
- An unclean filter, which can also cause whistling.
10. The Heating System Leaks when AC is Running.
Water condenses on the evaporator coil in your heater, and if it leaks onto the floor, the concern is more than likely a clogged up drain pan or drain line.
11. The Air Coming from the Heater Smells Bad.
Foul odors from the furnace are normally triggered by:.
- A really unclean filter that must be washed, if washable, or replaced.
- A dead rodent or bird somewhere in the system, generally a job for a professional heating system specialist.
12. The CO Monitor Going Off.
A carbon monoxide gas alarm must be taken seriously. Turn the heater off at the thermostat. Do not enter into the room where the furnace lies. Open doors and windows, and go outside. Call 911 from a cellular phone outside your house.
How to Select a Gas Heating System Repair Work Specialist.
Some homeowners choose the cheapest repair service in Calgary, and the results are usually bad. Inexpensive services are either simply getting going, so do not have experience or they have a bad credibility, so must give cheap pricing to get jobs.
On the other hand, some services are overpriced. The best method to discover quality furnace repair work at a reasonable cost is to get estimates from several of the top furnace repair work companies in Calgary. Consult with each, find out about their history and the experience of the technicians that will do the work. Select a knowledgeable heater repair work contractor with reasonable rates.
- The thermostat also has contacts that manage power to the heating system, and they can be worn, so the thermostat must be changed.
- The furnace being a single-stage model that operates on high capacity all the time, so it's going to be loud.
