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A great gas furnace fixing guide helps you in determining what is wrong with the heater based upon its signs. That's what we do here with clear, simple information.
Troubleshooting Common Gas Heater Issues
Every year, thousands of Calgary house owners ask, "What's wrong with my gas heater?" If you remain in that scenario, this guide will equip you with details prior to you call a heating system business. Knowledge is defense against being taken advantage of-- though most repair professionals have sound principles.
Keep in mind: This guide covers the most common problems, specifically those most property owners can easily check with no tools or standard tools such as screwdrivers and a multimeter.
1. The Furnace Will Not Start
If nothing happens when the thermostat is set above the home's current temperature, the most likely causes are these:
- The heater switch (situated on or near the furnace, appears like a typical light switch) is shut off and simply needs to be switched on, though the furnace might have a short delay prior to beginning
- The breaker is off, and if the circuit continues to trip 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 easy to check and remedy
- The thermostat isn't working, and this is in some cases brought on by a wire coming loose, so check the wiring connections
- The thermostat needs fresh batteries, if battery-powered, or it is bad and must be changed, an issue that can be detected using an electrical multimeter that reveals if a circuit is total
- The filter is filthy and need to be changed or cleaned, an issue that is particularly true on newer heaters that are equipped to close down if the filter isn't allowing adequate air circulation, a condition that can cause severe mechanical failure
- The heater's primary circuit board/control board is bad, a problem that can be detected by a HEATING AND COOLING specialist is absolutely nothing else fixes the problem
2. Furnace 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 begins, then the heater is getting power. The likely issues then are:
- The gas is switched off, so examine the gas dick 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 should be replaced
- The draft motor isn't operating or the fresh-air intake is blocked, maybe by snow or debris, and requires to be cleared
3. The Draft Motor Runs, Furnace 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 starts and then the furnace closes down, the cause might be:
- The motor or the board that manages it has actually stopped working and need to be replaced
- An obstructed air intake or blocked exhaust chimney (snow, particles and bird's nests prevail causes) should be cleared
- One of the issues talked about above with gas, gas valve and ignitor must be attended to
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 fixing draft motor issues and what is causing them.
5. The Flame Starts, however the Furnace Shuts Down
If the burner starts making heat however quickly shuts off without warming your home, the flame sensing unit isn't working. If the sensing unit has rust on it, sanding it may work, though changing it is a longer-lasting fix.
6. The Blower Won't Turn Off
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 "auto".
- Relays in the control board are stuck in the closed position, so the blower is getting a consistent supply of electrical energy, and the control panel need to be replaced.
- The thermostat also has contacts that control power to the furnace, and they can be used, so the thermostat needs to be replaced.
7. Why Does the Heater Keep Shutting Down?
If your heater burner lights however the furnace quickly shuts off, there are a few common concerns that may cause this:.
- The heater filter is unclean and should be cleaned or changed.
- The flame sensor isn't working and must be replaced.
- The thermostat is failing.
- While these are common, there are a number of other potential causes best diagnosed by a heater professional. This video gives extensive coverage to the problem of furnace short-cycling.
8. The Heater Runs however Can't Keep the House Warm.
If your heating system is effectively sized for your home, then it ought to keep your house warm even in severe cold. If it runs constantly but isn't providing sufficient heat, the most likely causes are:.
- A dirty filter that must be washed (only if the washable type) or changed.
- The filter is the incorrect type for your heating system and limits air flow, so ought to be replaced.
- The filter is installed in reverse, a concern that can be checked by searching for the arrows on the filter frame that reveal appropriate setup direction with the flow of air.
- Duct are dripping, in some cases producing telltale whistling noises, and it is time to have them sealed as recommended by Energy Star.
9. The Heater Makes Loud Noises.
A noisy furnace is most often the result of:.
- The heater being a single-stage design that operates 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 need to be changed.
- A leakage in the furnace cabinet, sheet metal plenum or ductwork near the heater that need to be tightened.
- An unclean filter, which can also cause whistling.
10. The Heating System Leaks when A/C is Running.
Water condenses on the evaporator coil in your heating system, and if it leaks onto the floor, the concern is probably a blocked drain pan or drain line.
Foul odors from the furnace are usually brought on by:.
- A dead rodent or bird someplace in the system, usually a job for an expert heating system technician.
12. The CO Screen Going Off.
A carbon monoxide gas alarm must be taken seriously. Turn the heater off at the thermostat. Don't go into the room where the heater is located. Open doors and windows, and go outside. Call 911 from a cell phone outside your house.
How to Pick a Gas Heater Repair Specialist.
Some property owners select the least expensive repair service in Calgary, and the results are typically bad. Low-cost services are either simply getting going, so do not have experience or they have a bad reputation, so should provide low-cost pricing to get tasks.
On the other hand, some services are overpriced. The best way to discover quality heater repair work at a reasonable price is to get estimates from several of the top furnace repair work companies in Calgary. Meet with each, learn more about their history and the experience of the specialists that will do the work. Select a knowledgeable heating system repair contractor with reasonable rates.
11. The Air Coming from the Heating System Smells Bad.
- A very unclean filter that must be cleaned, if washable, or replaced.
