A good gas furnace troubleshooting guide assists you in determining what is wrong with the furnace based upon its signs. That's what we do here with clear, straightforward info.
Repairing Common Gas Heating System Issues
Every year, countless Calgary property owners ask, "What's wrong with my gas heater?" If you remain in that situation, this guide will equip you with details prior to you call a heater business. Knowledge is protection versus being taken advantage of-- though most repair experts have sound ethics.
Keep in mind: This guide covers the most common issues, particularly those most homeowners can quickly check with no tools or basic tools such as screwdrivers and a multimeter.
1. The Furnace Will Not Start
If absolutely nothing takes place when the thermostat is set above the house's present 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 turned off and simply requires to be turned on, though the heating system might have a brief hold-up before starting
- The breaker is off, and if the circuit continues to journey after it is turned back on, there is likely an electrical wiring short in the heating system
- The thermostat isn't set to "heat," which is simple to inspect and remedy
- The thermostat isn't working, and this is sometimes brought on by a wire coming loose, so inspect the wiring connections
- The thermostat needs fresh batteries, if battery-powered, or it is bad and need to be changed, an issue that can be diagnosed utilizing an electrical multimeter that reveals if a circuit is total
- The filter is filthy and should be replaced or cleaned, an issue that is especially real on more recent furnaces that are equipped to close down if the filter isn't allowing appropriate air flow, a condition that can cause serious mechanical failure
- The furnace's primary circuit board/control board is bad, an issue that can be detected by a HEATING AND COOLING specialist is nothing else solves the concern
2. Furnace Blowing Cold Air
If the heater won't produce heat, you can check to see if it is getting power by moving the fan switch from the "Auto" position to the "On" position. If the fan comes on, then the furnace is getting power. The likely concerns then are:
- The gas is shut off, so inspect the gas dick near the furnace to make certain it is parallel to the gas line
- The gas control valve isn't opening and must be replaced
- The ignitor is stopping working and must be replaced
- The draft motor isn't functioning or the fresh-air intake is blocked, possibly by snow or particles, and requires 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 then the furnace shuts down, the cause might be:
- The motor or the board that controls it has stopped working and should be changed
- An obstructed air consumption or obstructed exhaust chimney (snow, debris and bird's nests are common causes) should be cleared
- Among the problems gone over above with gas, gas valve and ignitor need to 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 hvac heating and cooling Begins, but the Heating system Shuts Down
If the burner starts making heat but quickly turns off without warming your home, the flame sensing unit isn't working. If the sensor has rust on it, sanding it might work, though changing it is a longer-lasting repair.
6. The Blower Will Not Shut Down
If the blower motor runs all the time, there are three common issues:
- The fan turn on the thermostat is set to "on" rather than "auto".
- Relays in the control panel are stuck in the closed position, so the blower is getting a consistent supply of electricity, and the control board should be changed.
- The thermostat likewise has contacts that control power to the heater, and they can be used, so the thermostat must be changed.
7. Why Does the Furnace Keep Shutting Off?
If your furnace burner lights but the heater quickly shuts off, there are a couple of common issues that might cause this:.
- The furnace filter is dirty and must be cleaned or changed.
- The flame sensing unit isn't working and should be replaced.
- The thermostat is stopping working.
- While these prevail, there are a number of other prospective causes best diagnosed by a heating system professional. This video offers in-depth coverage to the issue of furnace short-cycling.
8. The Furnace Runs but Can't Keep your home Warm.
If your heater is appropriately sized for your house, then it ought to keep your home warm even in extreme cold. If it runs continuously however isn't offering enough heat, the most likely causes are:.
- A dirty filter that must be washed (just if the washable type) or replaced.
- The filter is the wrong type for your heater and limits air flow, so ought to be changed.
- The filter is installed in reverse, a problem that can be checked by trying to find the arrows on the filter frame that show correct setup instructions with the flow of air.
- Duct are leaking, 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 heater is frequently the result of:.
- The furnace being a single-stage model that runs on high capability all the time, so it's going to be loud.
- A bad bearing in the draft motor or the blower motor emergency furnace repair calgary that should be replaced.
- A leak in the heating system cabinet, sheet metal plenum or ductwork near the heating system that must be tightened up.
- An unclean filter, which can also cause 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 concern is more than likely a clogged drain pan or drain line.
11. The Air Coming from the Heating System Smells Bad.
Foul odors from the furnace are usually triggered by:.
- A really filthy filter that need to be cleaned, if washable, or changed.
- A dead rodent or bird someplace in the system, normally a job for a professional furnace technician.
12. The CO Screen Going Off.
A carbon monoxide alarm should be taken seriously. Turn the heating system off at the thermostat. Don't go into the room where the furnace is located. Open doors and windows, and go outside. Call 911 from a cell phone outside your house.
How to Select a Gas Heating System Repair Work Specialist.
Some property owners pick the cheapest repair work service in Calgary, and the outcomes are generally bad. Cheap services are either just beginning, so do not have experience or they have a bad credibility, so should give cheap rates to get jobs.
On the other hand, some services are overpriced. The very best method to find quality heating system repair at a fair cost is to get price quotes from several of the top heater repair companies in Calgary. Meet with each, find out about their history and the experience of the professionals that will do the work. Pick an experienced heating system repair contractor with sensible rates.