Heater Repair: Leading Twelve Furnace Issues and Troubleshooting How to Guide

A great gas furnace fixing guide helps you in determining what is wrong with the heater based on its signs. That's what we do here with clear, straightforward details.

Fixing Common Gas Heating System Issues

Every year, countless Calgary house owners ask, "What's wrong with my gas heater?" If you're in that circumstance, this guide will equip you with information before you call a heater business. Knowledge is defense versus being taken advantage of-- though most repair specialists have sound ethics.

Keep in mind: This guide covers the most typical problems, particularly those most homeowners can quickly check with no tools or standard tools such as screwdrivers and a multimeter.

1. The Furnace Won't Start

If absolutely nothing takes place when the thermostat is set above the home's current temperature, the most likely causes are these:

- The heating system switch (located on or near the furnace, appears like a typical light switch) is shut off and simply needs to be switched 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 journey after it is turned back on, there is likely a wiring short in the heater

- The thermostat isn't set to "heat," which is simple to inspect and remedy

- The thermostat isn't working, and this is often brought on by a wire coming loose, so check the circuitry connections

- The thermostat requires fresh batteries, if battery-powered, or it is bad and need to be replaced, a concern that can be detected utilizing an electrical multimeter that reveals if a circuit is complete

- The filter is unclean and need to be replaced or cleaned up, a concern that is particularly real on newer furnaces that are geared up to shut down if the filter isn't allowing adequate air circulation, a condition that can cause serious mechanical failure

- The heater's primary circuit board/control board is bad, an issue that can be identified by a HVAC technician is absolutely nothing else fixes the concern

2. Heater Blowing Cold Air

If the heating system won't 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 begins, then the heating system is getting power. The likely issues then are:

- The gas is switched off, so check the gas cock near the heating system to ensure it is parallel to the gas line

- The gas control valve isn't opening and should be replaced

- The ignitor is failing and need to be replaced

- The draft motor isn't working or the fresh-air consumption is obstructed, perhaps by snow or particles, and furnace replacement needs 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 after that the furnace shuts down, the cause might be:

- The motor or the board that controls it has failed and need to be changed

- A blocked air consumption or obstructed exhaust chimney (snow, particles and bird's nests prevail causes) should be cleared

- Among the concerns discussed above with gas, gas valve and ignitor must be attended to

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 assist you in fixing draft motor problems and what is triggering them.

5. The Flame Starts, but the Furnace Shuts Down

If the burner starts making heat but quickly turns off 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 Shut Off

If the blower motor runs all the time, there are three typical issues:

- The fan turn on the thermostat is set to "on" rather than "automobile".

- 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 must be replaced.

- The thermostat also 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 heating system burner lights however the furnace soon turns off, there are a couple of typical issues that may cause this:.

- The heater filter is filthy and ought to be cleaned or replaced.

- The flame sensing unit isn't working and ought to be changed.

- The thermostat is stopping working.

- While these are common, there are numerous other possible causes finest identified by a heating system specialist. This video offers in-depth coverage to the problem of heater short-cycling.

8. The Furnace Runs but Can't Keep your home Warm.

If your heating system is correctly sized for your home, then it needs to keep your home warm even in severe cold. If it runs continuously but isn't offering enough heat, the likely causes are:.

- A filthy filter that need to be washed (only if the washable type) or changed.

- The filter is the incorrect type for your furnace and restricts air flow, so should be changed.

- The filter is set up in reverse, a concern that can be checked by searching for the arrows on the filter frame that reveal proper installation direction with the circulation of air.

- Air ducts are dripping, in some cases producing obvious whistling noises, and it is time to have them sealed as suggested by Energy Star.

9. The Heater Makes Loud Noises.

A noisy heating system is usually 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 replaced.

- A leakage in the heater cabinet, sheet metal plenum or ductwork near the heater that need to be tightened up.

- A dirty filter, which can also trigger whistling.

10. The Heater Leaks when AC is Running.

Water condenses on the evaporator coil in your furnace, and if it leakages onto the floor, the issue is most likely a clogged up drain pan or drain line.

11. The Air Coming from the Furnace Smells Bad.

Foul odors from the furnace are usually triggered by:.

- An extremely dirty filter that should be washed, if washable, or replaced.

- A dead rodent or bird somewhere in the system, generally a job for a professional furnace professional.

12. The CO Display Going Off.

A carbon monoxide gas alarm must be taken seriously. Turn the heating system off at the thermostat. Don't enter into the space where the heater is located. Open doors and windows, and go outside. Call 911 from a mobile phone outside your home.

How to Select a Gas Heating System Repair Work Expert.

Some homeowners choose the cheapest repair work service in Calgary, and the results are generally poor. Inexpensive services are either simply getting started, so do not have experience or they have a bad reputation, so need to give inexpensive rates to get tasks.

On furnace repair near me the other hand, some services are overpriced. The best way to find quality furnace repair at a fair rate is to get estimates from several of the top heater repair work companies in Calgary. Meet each, discover their history and the experience of the professionals that will do the work. Pick an experienced heating system repair work contractor with reasonable rates.