A great gas heater troubleshooting guide helps you in determining what is wrong with the heater based on its symptoms. That's what we do here with clear, simple details.
Fixing Common Gas Heating System Issues
Every year, thousands of Calgary homeowners ask, "What's wrong with my gas furnace?" If you remain in that situation, this guide will equip you with info before you call a furnace business. Knowledge is security against being taken advantage of-- though a lot of repair experts have sound principles.
Note: This guide covers the most typical problems, specifically those most property owners can easily contact no tools or fundamental tools such as screwdrivers and a multimeter.
1. The Furnace Will Not Start
If nothing takes place when the thermostat is set above the home's current temperature level, the most likely causes are these:
- The furnace switch (located on or near the heating system, looks like a common light switch) is shut off and merely needs to be switched on, though the furnace might have a short delay prior to beginning
- The breaker is off, and if the circuit continues to trip after it is turned back on, there is likely a wiring short in the furnace
- The thermostat isn't set to "heat," which is easy 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 needs fresh batteries, if battery-powered, or it is bad and need to be replaced, a problem that can be identified utilizing an electrical multimeter that reveals if a circuit is complete
- The filter is dirty and must be replaced or cleaned, a concern that is particularly true on newer heaters that are equipped to close down if the filter isn't permitting appropriate air flow, a condition that can cause severe mechanical failure
- The heating system's primary circuit board/control board is bad, an issue that can be detected by an A/C professional is absolutely nothing else furnaces calgary solves the issue
2. Heater Blowing Cold Air
If the heating system 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 likely problems then are:
- The gas is switched off, so check the gas cock near the heater to ensure it is parallel to the gas line
- The gas control valve isn't opening and should be changed
- The ignitor is failing and should be changed
- The draft motor isn't operating or the fresh-air intake is obstructed, perhaps by snow or debris, 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 heating system closes down, the cause might be:
- The motor or the board that controls it has actually stopped working and should be replaced
- A blocked air intake or obstructed exhaust chimney (snow, debris and bird's nests are common causes) should be cleared
- Among the concerns gone over above with gas, gas valve and ignitor should be attended to
4. The Draft Motor Will Not 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 troubleshooting draft motor issues and what is triggering them.
5. The Flame Begins, but the Furnace Shuts Down
If the burner begins making heat however quickly turns off without warming your home, the flame sensing unit isn't working. If the sensing unit has deterioration on it, sanding it might work, though changing it is a longer-lasting fix.
6. The Blower Will Not Turn Off
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 "automobile".
- Relays in the control panel are stuck in the closed position, so the blower is getting a continuous supply of electrical power, and the control board should be replaced.
- The thermostat also has contacts that manage power to the heater, and they can be worn, so the thermostat needs to be replaced.
7. Why Does the Furnace Keep Shutting Down?
If your furnace burner lights however the heater soon shuts down, there are a few typical concerns that might cause this:.
- The furnace filter is unclean and need to be cleaned or replaced.
- The flame sensor isn't working and must be changed.
- The thermostat is stopping working.
- While these are common, there are a number of other possible causes best identified by a heating system specialist. This video offers thorough protection to the issue of heating system short-cycling.
8. The Furnace Runs but Can't Keep your house Warm.
If your furnace is appropriately sized for your home, then it should keep your home warm even in severe cold. If it runs continuously however isn't providing enough heat, the most likely causes are:.
- A filthy filter that should be cleaned (just if the washable type) or changed.
- The filter is the incorrect type for your heater and restricts air flow, so ought to be replaced.
- The filter is set up backwards, a concern that can be inspected by searching for the arrows on the filter frame that reveal proper installation instructions with the flow of air.
- Duct are dripping, sometimes producing telltale whistling sounds, and it is time to have them sealed as suggested by Energy Star.
9. The Heating System Makes Loud Noises.
A noisy heating system is usually the outcome of:.
- The heater being a single-stage design 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 heater that should be tightened up.
- A filthy filter, which can likewise trigger whistling.
10. The Furnace Leaks when Air Conditioning is Running.
Water condenses on the evaporator coil in your heater, and if it leaks onto the floor, the concern is more than likely a blocked drain pan or drain line.
11. The Air heating and cooling near me Coming from the Heating System Smells Bad.
Foul odors from the heater are typically triggered by:.
- An extremely filthy filter that need to be washed, if washable, or replaced.
- A dead rodent or bird somewhere in the system, normally a task for a professional heating system service technician.
12. The CO Screen Going Off.
A carbon monoxide alarm need to be taken seriously. Turn the heater 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 house.
How to Pick a Gas Furnace Repair Work Specialist.
Some property owners pick the least expensive repair service in Calgary, and the results are usually bad. Cheap services are either just beginning, so lack experience or they have a bad credibility, so should provide low-cost rates to get tasks.
On the other hand, some services are overpriced. The best method to find quality heater repair at a reasonable cost is to get quotes from several of the leading furnace repair companies in Calgary. Meet each, discover their history and the experience of the technicians that will do the work. Select a knowledgeable heater repair specialist with sensible rates.