An excellent gas heater repairing guide helps you in determining what is wrong with the furnace based upon its symptoms. That's what we do here with clear, straightforward information.
Fixing Common Gas Heating System Problems
Every year, countless Calgary homeowners ask, "What's wrong with my gas heating system?" If you're in that situation, this guide will arm you with information prior to you call a heater business. Knowledge is defense against being taken advantage of-- though the majority of repair professionals have sound principles.
Keep in mind: This guide covers the most common problems, specifically those most homeowners can easily contact no tools or standard tools such as screwdrivers and a multimeter.
1. The Heater Will Not Start
If absolutely 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 switched off and merely needs to be switched on, though the furnace might have a brief hold-up prior to starting
- The breaker is off, and if the circuit continues to trip after it is turned back on, there is likely a wiring brief in the heater
- The thermostat isn't set to "heat," which is easy to examine and treat
- 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 should be replaced, a concern that can be diagnosed using an electrical multimeter that shows if a circuit is complete
- The filter is unclean and should be replaced or cleaned up, a concern that is specifically real on more recent heating systems that are geared up to close down if the filter isn't permitting adequate air circulation, a condition that can cause major mechanical failure
- The heater's primary circuit board/control board is bad, an issue that can be diagnosed by a HVAC specialist is nothing else fixes the problem
2. Heating System Blowing Cold Air
If the furnace will not produce heat, you can examine to see if it is getting power by moving the fan switch from the "Car" position to the "On" position. If the fan comes on, then the furnace is getting power. The likely problems then are:
- The gas is turned off, so check hvac heating and cooling 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 replaced
- The draft motor isn't working or the fresh-air consumption is blocked, maybe by snow or debris, and requires to be cleared
3. The Draft Motor Runs, Heater 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 begins and then the furnace shuts down, the cause might be:
- The motor or the board that controls it has stopped working and need to be changed
- A blocked air consumption or obstructed exhaust chimney (snow, debris and bird's nests prevail causes) should be cleared
- Among the problems talked about above with gas, gas valve and ignitor need to be addressed
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 repairing draft motor issues and what is triggering them.
5. The Flame Starts, but the Heating system Shuts Down
If the burner starts making heat but soon shuts down without warming your house, the flame sensing unit isn't working. If the sensing unit has deterioration on it, sanding it may work, though replacing it is a longer-lasting repair.
6. The Blower Won't Turn Off
If the blower motor runs all the time, there are three common problems:
- The fan switch on the thermostat is set to "on" rather than "automobile".
- Relays in the control board are stuck in the closed position, so the blower is getting a continuous supply of electricity, and the control board need to be replaced.
- The thermostat also has contacts that manage power to the furnace, and they can be worn, so the thermostat must be replaced.
7. Why Does the Furnace Keep Turning Off?
If your heating system burner lights however the heater soon shuts down, there are a couple of typical problems that may trigger this:.
- The furnace filter is dirty and need to be cleaned or changed.
- The flame sensor isn't working and should be replaced.
- The thermostat is stopping working.
- While these prevail, there are numerous other possible causes best detected by a heater specialist. This video provides thorough protection to the issue of heater short-cycling.
8. The Furnace Runs however Can't Keep your home Warm.
If your furnace is effectively sized for your home, then it should keep your home warm even in extreme cold. If it runs continuously however isn't supplying sufficient heat, the likely causes are:.
- A filthy filter that should be cleaned (only if the washable type) or replaced.
- The filter is the wrong type for heat and cool your heater and restricts airflow, so need to be replaced.
- The filter is set up in reverse, a problem that can be inspected by searching for the arrows on the filter frame that reveal correct installation instructions with the flow of air.
- Duct are leaking, sometimes producing obvious whistling sounds, and it is time to have them sealed as advised by Energy Star.
9. The Heater Makes Loud Noises.
A loud furnace is frequently the result of:.
- The heating system 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 should be changed.
- A leakage in the heating system cabinet, sheet metal plenum or ductwork near the heater that need to be tightened.
- An unclean filter, which can likewise cause whistling.
10. The Heating System Leaks when A/C is Running.
Water condenses on the evaporator coil in your heater, and if it leakages onto the flooring, the issue is probably a stopped up drain pan or drain line.
11. The Air Coming from the Heater Smells Bad.
Foul odors from the heater are usually brought on by:.
- An extremely dirty filter that should be cleaned, if washable, or changed.
- A dead rodent or bird somewhere in the system, usually a job for a professional furnace specialist.
12. The CO Screen Going Off.
A carbon monoxide gas alarm should be taken seriously. Turn the furnace off at the thermostat. Do not enter into the space where the heating system lies. Open doors and windows, and go outside. Call 911 from a cell phone outside your house.
How to Select a Gas Heating System Repair Specialist.
Some property owners select the least expensive repair work service in Calgary, and the outcomes are normally poor. Low-cost services are either just starting, so lack experience or they have a bad track record, so need to give inexpensive prices to get tasks.
On the other hand, some services are overpriced. The best way to find quality heater repair work at a fair cost is to get price quotes from several of the top furnace repair business in Calgary. Meet each, learn more about their history and the experience of the professionals that will do the work. Pick a knowledgeable heating system repair work contractor with reasonable rates.