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An excellent gas heating system fixing guide assists you in identifying what is wrong with the heating system based upon its signs. That's what we do here with clear, straightforward details.
Repairing Common Gas Furnace Problems
Every year, thousands of Calgary house owners ask, "What's wrong with my gas furnace?" If you're in that circumstance, this guide will equip you with details prior to you call a furnace company. Knowledge is security versus being benefited from-- though the majority of repair specialists have sound principles.
Keep in mind: This guide covers the most typical issues, specifically those most property owners can quickly consult 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 existing temperature, the most likely causes are these:
- The furnace switch (located on or near the heater, appears like a typical light switch) is switched off and merely needs to be switched on, though the heating system might have a short hold-up before beginning
- The circuit 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 furnace
- The thermostat isn't set to "heat," which is easy to check and remedy
- 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 must be changed, a concern that can be detected utilizing an electrical multimeter that shows if a circuit is total
- The filter is dirty and must be changed or cleaned, an issue that is specifically real on newer heating systems that are equipped to close down if the filter isn't enabling adequate air flow, a condition that can trigger major mechanical failure
- The heater's main circuit board/control board is bad, a concern that can be detected by an A/C technician is nothing else solves the concern
2. Furnace Blowing Cold Air
- The gas is shut off, so examine the gas dick near the heating system to make sure it is parallel to the gas line
- The gas control valve isn't opening and must be changed
- 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 particles, and needs to be cleared
3. The Draft Motor Runs, Heater 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 begins and then the heater shuts down, the cause might be:
- The motor or the board that controls it has actually stopped working and must be replaced
- An obstructed air intake or blocked exhaust chimney (snow, particles and bird's nests prevail causes) should be cleared
- Among the concerns talked about above with gas, gas valve and ignitor must be resolved
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 fixing draft motor issues and what is triggering them.
5. The Flame Begins, however the Furnace Shuts Down
If the burner begins making heat however quickly shuts down without warming your home, the flame sensor isn't working. If the sensor has corrosion on it, sanding it may work, though replacing it is a longer-lasting fix.
6. The Blower Won't Turn Off
If the blower motor runs all the time, there are three common concerns:
- The fan turn on the thermostat is set to "on" instead of "automobile".
- Relays in the control panel are stuck in the closed position, so the blower is getting a consistent supply of electrical power, and the control board should be changed.
- The thermostat also has contacts that manage power to the heater, and they can be worn, so the thermostat must be changed.
7. Why Does the Heater Keep Shutting Off?
If your heater burner lights however the heater soon shuts off, there are a few common issues that may cause this:.
- The furnace filter is unclean and ought to be cleaned up or changed.
- The flame sensor isn't working and must be changed.
- The thermostat is stopping working.
- While these are common, there are several other prospective causes best identified by a heating system professional. This video provides extensive coverage to the issue of heating system short-cycling.
8. The Heater Runs but Can't Keep the House Warm.
If your heater is appropriately sized for your home, then it should keep your home warm even in severe cold. If it runs constantly however isn't providing enough heat, the likely causes are:.
- An unclean filter that should be cleaned (only if the washable type) or changed.
- The filter is installed backwards, an issue that can be inspected by trying to find the arrows on the filter frame that reveal correct setup instructions with the flow of air.
- Air ducts are leaking, in some cases producing obvious whistling sounds, and it is time to have them sealed as suggested by Energy Star.
9. The Furnace Makes Loud Noises.
A noisy heater is usually the result of:.
- The furnace 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 need to be replaced.
- A leakage in the heater cabinet, sheet metal plenum or ductwork near the heater that must be tightened up.
- A dirty filter, which can likewise cause whistling.
10. The Heater Leaks when AC is Running.
Water condenses on the evaporator coil in your heater, and if it leakages onto the floor, the concern is most likely a blocked drain pan or drain line.
11. The Air Coming from the Heater Smells Bad.
Foul odors from the furnace are typically brought on by:.
- A very unclean filter that ought to be washed, if washable, or changed.
- A dead rodent or bird someplace in the system, normally a task for a professional furnace specialist.
12. The CO Monitor Going Off.
A carbon monoxide gas alarm ought to be taken seriously. Turn the furnace off at the thermostat. Do not enter into the room where the heater lies. Open doors and windows, and go outside. Call 911 from a cellular phone outside your house.
How to Choose a Gas Furnace Repair Expert.
Some property owners pick the most affordable repair work service in Calgary, and the outcomes are typically poor. Low-cost services are either just beginning, so do not have experience or they have a bad credibility, so should provide low-cost rates to get jobs.
On the other hand, some services are overpriced. The very best method to discover quality heater repair at a reasonable price is to get quotes from several of the top heating system repair companies in Calgary. Meet each, learn about their history and the experience of the specialists that will do the work. Select a skilled heater repair professional with sensible rates.
If the furnace 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 begins, then the heating system is getting power. The most likely issues then are:
- The filter is the incorrect type for your heating system and limits air flow, so need to be replaced.
