A great gas furnace troubleshooting guide assists you in determining what is wrong with the furnace based upon its symptoms. That's what we do here with clear, straightforward info.
Troubleshooting Common Gas Heater Problems
Every year, countless Calgary property owners ask, "What's wrong with my gas heater?" If you remain in that scenario, this guide will arm you with details prior to you call a heater company. Knowledge is security against being benefited from-- though a lot of repair experts have sound ethics.
Note: This guide covers the most common problems, particularly those most homeowners can easily talk to no tools or basic tools such as screwdrivers and a multimeter.
1. The Furnace Won't Start
If nothing happens when the thermostat is set above the house's current temperature level, the most likely causes are these:
- The heating system switch (located on or near the furnace, appears like a common light switch) is switched off and just needs to be turned on, though the heating system may have a brief hold-up before beginning
- The breaker is off, and if the circuit continues to journey after it is turned back on, there is likely an electrical wiring short in the heater
- The thermostat isn't set to "heat," which is simple to check and fix
- The thermostat isn't working, and this is sometimes triggered by a wire coming loose, so check the electrical wiring connections
- The thermostat needs fresh batteries, if battery-powered, or it is bad and need to be changed, a concern that can be detected using an electrical multimeter that reveals if a circuit is total
- The filter is filthy and should be changed or cleaned, a problem that is specifically real on more recent furnaces that are equipped to shut down if the filter isn't permitting adequate air circulation, a condition that can cause serious mechanical failure
- The heating system's primary circuit board/control board is bad, a problem that can be diagnosed by a HVAC service technician is absolutely nothing else fixes the issue
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 "Vehicle" position to the "On" position. If the fan comes on, then the heater is getting power. The likely concerns then are:
- The gas is turned off, so inspect the gas cock near the furnace to make certain it is parallel to the gas line
- The gas control valve isn't opening and need to be replaced
- The ignitor is failing and must be changed
- The draft motor isn't working or the fresh-air intake is blocked, maybe by snow or particles, 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 furnace and out the exhaust stack. If it starts and after that the heating system closes down, the cause might be:
- The hvac company motor or the board that controls it has failed and need to be replaced
- A blocked air intake or blocked exhaust chimney (snow, particles and bird's nests are common causes) must be cleared
- Among the concerns discussed above with gas, gas valve and ignitor should be dealt with
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 help you in repairing draft motor problems and what is triggering them.
5. The Flame Begins, however the Furnace Shuts Down
If the burner starts making heat however quickly shuts off without warming your house, the flame sensor isn't working. If the sensing unit has deterioration on it, sanding it may work, though changing it is a longer-lasting repair.
6. The Blower Will Not Shut Off
If the blower motor runs all the time, there are three typical problems:
- 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 should be replaced.
- The thermostat likewise has contacts that control power to the furnace, and they can be used, so the thermostat must be replaced.
7. Why Does the Furnace Keep Shutting Down?
If your heater burner lights but the heating system soon shuts off, there are a couple of typical problems that may trigger this:.
- The furnace filter is unclean and need to be cleaned or changed.
- The flame sensing unit isn't working and ought to be changed.
- The thermostat is stopping working.
- While these prevail, there are several other potential causes best detected by a furnace professional. This video offers in-depth protection to the problem of heater short-cycling.
8. The Heater Runs however Can't Keep your house Warm.
If your furnace is appropriately sized for your home, then it should keep your house warm even in severe cold. If it runs constantly however isn't providing adequate heat, the most likely causes are:.
- An unclean filter that should be cleaned (only if the washable type) or changed.
- The filter is the wrong type for your heating system and limits airflow, so ought to be changed.
- The filter is installed in reverse, an issue that can be inspected by trying to find the arrows on the filter frame that reveal correct setup direction with the circulation of air.
- Air ducts are dripping, sometimes producing telltale whistling noises, and it is time to have them sealed as recommended by Energy Star.
9. The Furnace Makes Loud Noises.
A loud heater is usually the result of:.
- The heating system being a single-stage model 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 must be changed.
- A leak in the heater cabinet, sheet metal plenum or ductwork near the heating system that need to be tightened.
- A filthy filter, which can also trigger whistling.
10. The Heating System Leaks when AC is Running.
Water condenses on the evaporator coil in your furnace, and if it leakages onto the floor, the concern is most likely a stopped up furnace installation drain pan or drain line.
11. The Air Coming from the Heater Smells Bad.
Foul odors from the heating system are typically brought on by:.
- A very filthy filter that should be washed, if washable, or changed.
- A dead rodent or bird someplace in the system, usually a task for an expert heater service technician.
12. The CO Display Going Off.
A carbon monoxide gas alarm need to be taken seriously. Turn the heater off at the thermostat. Do not enter into the space where the heater is located. Open doors and windows, and go outside. Call 911 from a mobile phone outside your house.
How to Select a Gas Furnace Repair Work Professional.
Some property owners select the least expensive repair work service in Calgary, and the results are generally poor. Inexpensive services are either simply beginning, so do not have experience or they have a bad reputation, so must offer inexpensive rates to get tasks.
On the other hand, some services are overpriced. The very best method to discover quality heater repair at a reasonable cost is to get price quotes from several of the leading furnace repair companies in Calgary. Meet each, learn about their history and the experience of the service technicians that will do the work. Select an experienced heating system repair work specialist with sensible rates.