An excellent gas furnace repairing guide helps you in identifying what is wrong with the heater based upon its symptoms. That's what we do here with clear, uncomplicated information.
Troubleshooting Common Gas Furnace Problems
Every year, countless Calgary house owners ask, "What's wrong with my gas heater?" If you remain in that situation, this guide will arm you with details prior to you call a furnace business. Knowledge is defense versus being made the most of-- though a lot of repair work professionals have sound ethics.
Note: This guide covers the most common problems, especially those most property owners can easily contact no tools or fundamental tools such as screwdrivers and a multimeter.
1. The Heating System Won't Start
If nothing happens when the thermostat is set above the home's present temperature, the most likely causes are these:
- The heating system switch (located on or near the heating system, looks like a typical light switch) is shut off and merely needs to be turned on, though the heating system might have a short hold-up prior to 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 brief in the heater
- The thermostat isn't set to "heat," which is easy to check 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 requires fresh batteries, if battery-powered, or it is bad and should be replaced, a concern that can be detected utilizing an electrical multimeter that reveals if a circuit is complete
- The filter is filthy and must be changed or cleaned up, a concern that is particularly real on newer heating systems that are equipped to close down if the filter isn't allowing appropriate air circulation, a condition that can trigger severe mechanical failure
- The heater's main circuit board/control board is bad, a concern that can be detected by a HVAC professional is absolutely nothing else fixes the concern
2. Heater Blowing Cold Air
If the heater will not produce heat, you can inspect 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 issues then are:
- The gas is turned off, so check the gas dick near the heater to make sure it is parallel to the gas line
- The gas control valve isn't opening and should be replaced
- The ignitor is failing and must be replaced
- The draft motor isn't working or the fresh-air consumption is obstructed, possibly by snow or particles, and requires to be cleared
3. The Draft Motor Runs, Furnace Will Not Start
The draft motor is also called the inducer motor. It pulls hot combustion gases through the heater and out the exhaust stack. If it starts cool heat and after that the furnace closes down, the cause might be:
- The motor or the board that manages it has actually failed and must be replaced
- An obstructed air consumption or blocked exhaust chimney (snow, debris and bird's nests prevail causes) must be cleared
- One of the issues gone over above with gas, gas valve and ignitor must be dealt with
4. The Draft Motor Will Not 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 fixing draft motor issues and what is triggering them.
5. The Flame Starts, but the Heater Shuts Down
If the burner begins making heat but quickly shuts down without warming your home, the flame sensing unit isn't working. If the sensing unit has deterioration on it, sanding it may work, though changing it is a longer-lasting fix.
6. The Blower Will Not Shut Down
If the blower motor runs all the time, there are 3 common problems:
- The fan switch on the thermostat is set to "on" instead of "car".
- Relays in the control board are stuck in the closed position, so the blower is getting a continuous supply of electrical power, and the control board must be changed.
- The thermostat also has contacts that control power to the furnace, and they can be used, so the thermostat needs to be changed.
7. Why Does the Heater Keep Shutting Off?
If your heating system burner lights but the heating system quickly turns off, there are a couple of typical problems that might trigger this:.
- The furnace filter is unclean and ought to be cleaned up or replaced.
- The flame sensor isn't working and must be changed.
- The thermostat is failing.
- While these prevail, there are several other prospective causes finest diagnosed by a heating system technician. This video offers thorough coverage to the issue of heater short-cycling.
8. The Heater Runs however Can't Keep your house Warm.
If your heating system is correctly sized for your house, then it must keep your house warm even in severe cold. If it runs continuously however isn't supplying adequate heat, the likely causes are:.
- A dirty filter that must be cleaned (just if the washable type) or changed.
- The filter is the wrong type for your heater and limits air flow, so need to be replaced.
- The filter is set up backwards, a problem that can be inspected by looking for the arrows on the filter frame that reveal proper setup instructions with the flow of air.
- Air ducts are leaking, sometimes producing obvious whistling sounds, and it is time to have them sealed as recommended by Energy Star.
9. The Heater Makes Loud Noises.
A loud furnace is usually the outcome of:.
- The heater 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 leakage in the heater cabinet, sheet heating and air conditioning metal plenum or ductwork near the furnace that must be tightened up.
- A dirty filter, which can also cause whistling.
10. The Heating System Leaks when Air Conditioning is Running.
Water condenses on the evaporator coil in your heating system, and if it leakages onto the flooring, the problem is probably a clogged drain pan or drain line.
11. The Air Coming from the Heater Smells Bad.
Foul odors from the heater are generally triggered by:.
- A very dirty filter that ought to be cleaned, if washable, or replaced.
- A dead rodent or bird someplace in the system, usually a task for an expert furnace technician.
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 heater is located. Open doors and windows, and go outside. Call 911 from a cell phone outside your home.
How to Choose a Gas Heater Repair Work Expert.
Some homeowners choose the cheapest repair work service in Calgary, and the results are typically bad. Low-cost services are either simply starting, so lack experience or they have a bad reputation, so must offer low-cost prices to get tasks.
On the other hand, some services are overpriced. The best way to discover quality heating system repair at a reasonable cost is to get quotes from several of the top heating system repair business in Calgary. Meet with each, discover their history and the experience of the specialists that will do the work. Pick a knowledgeable furnace repair contractor with affordable rates.