A great gas heater troubleshooting guide helps you in identifying what is wrong with the heater based on its symptoms. That's what we do here with clear, straightforward information.
Fixing Common Gas Heater Problems
Every year, thousands of Calgary house owners ask, "What's wrong with my gas heater?" If you remain in that scenario, this guide will arm you with info before you call a heater company. Knowledge is defense against being taken advantage of-- though a lot of repair work experts have sound ethics.
Note: This guide covers the most typical problems, specifically those most property owners can easily consult no tools or standard tools such as screwdrivers and a multimeter.
1. The Heating System Will Not Start
If nothing takes place when the thermostat is set above the house's present temperature, the most likely causes are these:
- The heating system switch (situated on or near the furnace, looks like a common light switch) is turned off and simply requires to be switched on, though the heater may have a brief 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 a circuitry short in the heating system
- The thermostat isn't set to "heat," which is easy to check and fix
- The thermostat isn't working, and this is sometimes triggered by a wire coming loose, so inspect the wiring connections
- The thermostat requires fresh batteries, if battery-powered, or it is bad and need to be changed, a concern that can be detected utilizing an electrical multimeter that reveals if a circuit is total
- The filter is dirty and should be changed or cleaned, a concern that is specifically true on newer furnaces that are geared up to close down if the filter isn't permitting sufficient air circulation, a condition that can cause severe mechanical failure
- The heater's main circuit board/control board is bad, a concern that can be diagnosed by a HEATING AND COOLING specialist is absolutely nothing else fixes the problem
2. Furnace Blowing Cold Air
If the heating system will not produce heat, you can check 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 heater is getting power. The likely problems then are:
- 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 need to be replaced
- The ignitor is stopping working and should be replaced
- The draft motor isn't operating or the fresh-air consumption is blocked, maybe by snow or debris, and needs to be cleared
3. The Draft Motor Runs, Furnace Won't Start
The draft motor is also called the inducer motor. It pulls hot combustion gases through the heating system and out the exhaust stack. If it starts and after that the heating system closes down, the cause might be:
- The motor or the board that manages it has actually failed and must be replaced
- A blocked air consumption or obstructed exhaust chimney (snow, particles and bird's nests are common causes) should 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 assist you in fixing draft motor concerns and what is triggering them.
5. The Flame Begins, however the Heating system Shuts Down
If the burner begins making heat however quickly shuts down without warming your house, the flame sensor isn't working. If the sensing unit has rust on it, sanding it might work, though replacing 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 switch on the thermostat is set to "on" rather than "car".
- Relays in the control panel are stuck in the closed position, so the blower is getting a constant supply of electricity, and the control panel need to be replaced.
- The thermostat also has contacts that manage power to the heater, and they can be used, so the thermostat needs to be replaced.
7. Why Does the Furnace family heating and cooling Keep Turning Off?
If your heater burner lights but the heater quickly shuts down, there are a couple of typical concerns that might trigger this:.
- The heater filter is dirty and ought to be cleaned or changed.
- The gas furnace flame sensor isn't working and need to be changed.
- The thermostat is failing.
- While these are common, there are numerous other potential causes finest detected by a furnace professional. This video provides extensive protection to the problem of heating system short-cycling.
8. The Furnace Runs however Can't Keep your house Warm.
If your heater is appropriately sized for your home, then it should keep your house warm even in extreme cold. If it runs constantly however isn't supplying adequate heat, the most likely causes are:.
- An unclean filter that should be cleaned (just if the washable type) or changed.
- The filter is the wrong type for your furnace and limits air flow, so must be changed.
- The filter is set up in reverse, a concern that can be examined by searching for the arrows on the filter frame that reveal correct setup direction with the circulation of air.
- Air ducts are dripping, in some cases producing telltale whistling sounds, and it is time to have them sealed as advised by Energy Star.
9. The Furnace Makes Loud Noises.
A noisy furnace is most often the result of:.
- The heater being a single-stage model that runs 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 changed.
- A leak in the furnace cabinet, sheet metal plenum or ductwork near the heating system that must be tightened.
- A dirty filter, which can also trigger whistling.
10. The Furnace Leaks when Air Conditioning is Running.
Water condenses on the evaporator coil in your heater, and if it leakages onto the flooring, the issue 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 usually caused by:.
- An extremely filthy filter that ought to be washed, if washable, or changed.
- A dead rodent or bird someplace in the system, normally a job for an expert heating system specialist.
12. The CO Display Going Off.
A carbon monoxide gas alarm need to be taken seriously. Turn the heating system off at the thermostat. Do not enter into the space where the furnace is located. Open doors and windows, and go outside. Call 911 from a cell phone outside your home.
How to Pick a Gas Heating System Repair Professional.
Some homeowners pick the cheapest repair service in Calgary, and the outcomes are generally poor. Inexpensive services are either just getting going, so do not have experience or they have a bad credibility, so must give inexpensive rates to get jobs.
On the other hand, some services are overpriced. The very best method to discover quality furnace repair work at a reasonable cost is to get estimates from numerous of the top heating system repair companies in Calgary. Meet each, learn about their history and the experience of the service technicians that will do the work. Select a skilled heating system repair professional with affordable rates.