A great gas heater fixing guide assists you in determining what is wrong with the furnace based upon its symptoms. That's what we do here with clear, straightforward information.
Troubleshooting Common Gas Heating System Problems
Every year, countless Calgary property owners ask, "What's wrong with my gas heater?" If you're in that situation, this guide will equip you with info before you call a furnace company. Knowledge is defense against being made the most of-- though the majority of repair work experts have sound ethics.
Keep in mind: This guide covers the most common problems, specifically those most property owners can easily check with no tools or standard tools such as screwdrivers and a multimeter.
1. The Heater Will Not Start
If absolutely nothing occurs when the thermostat is set above the house's current temperature, the most likely causes are these:
- The heater switch (situated on or near the furnace, looks like a common light switch) is shut off and just needs to be switched on, though the heating system may have a short delay before beginning
- The breaker is off, and if the circuit continues to journey after it is turned back on, there is likely a circuitry brief in the heating system
- The thermostat isn't set to "heat," which is easy to inspect and treat
- The thermostat isn't working, and this is often caused by a wire coming loose, so check the wiring connections
- The thermostat needs fresh batteries, if battery-powered, or it is bad and should be replaced, a concern that can be identified using an electrical multimeter that reveals if a circuit is total
- The filter is dirty and need to be replaced or cleaned, an issue that is particularly true on more recent heating systems that are equipped to shut down if the filter isn't permitting appropriate air flow, a condition that can cause major mechanical failure
- The heater's main circuit board/control board is bad, a concern that can be detected by a HVAC professional is nothing else solves the problem
2. Furnace Blowing Cold Air
If the heating system 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 begins, then the heater is getting power. The most likely problems then are:
- The gas is shut off, so examine the gas dick near the heating system to ensure it is parallel to the gas line
- The gas control valve isn't opening and must be replaced
- The ignitor is failing and should be changed
- The draft motor isn't operating or the fresh-air intake is blocked, maybe by snow or debris, and requires to be cleared
3. The Draft Motor Runs, Heater Won't 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 and then the heater shuts down, the cause might be:
- The motor or the board that manages it has actually stopped working and should be replaced
- An obstructed air intake or blocked exhaust chimney (snow, particles and bird's nests are common causes) should be cleared
- One of the concerns discussed above with gas, gas valve and ignitor should 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 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 soon turns off without warming your home, the flame sensor isn't working. If the sensor has corrosion on it, sanding it might work, though changing it is a longer-lasting repair.
6. The Blower Won't Turn Off
If the blower motor runs all the time, there are three typical concerns:
- The fan switch on the thermostat is set to "on" instead of "auto".
- Relays in the control board are stuck in the closed position, so the blower is getting a constant supply of electrical energy, and the control panel must be changed.
- The thermostat also has contacts that control power to the heater, and they can be worn, so the thermostat needs to be changed.
7. Why Does the Furnace Keep Turning Off?
If your furnace burner lights but the furnace quickly shuts off, there are a couple of common problems that may cause this:.
- The heating system filter is unclean and ought to be cleaned or replaced.
- The flame sensing unit isn't working and ought to be changed.
- The thermostat is failing.
- While these prevail, there are several other possible causes finest detected by a heating system service technician. This video gives in-depth coverage to the issue of heating system short-cycling.
8. The Heater Runs but Can't Keep your home Warm.
If your furnace is appropriately sized for your home, then it ought to keep your home warm even in severe cold. If it runs constantly however isn't offering enough heat, the likely causes are:.
- A dirty filter that should be cleaned (only if the washable type) or furnace company calgary replaced.
- The filter is the wrong type for your furnace and restricts air flow, so ought to be replaced.
- The filter is installed backwards, an issue that can be inspected by trying to find the arrows on the filter frame that show proper setup instructions with the circulation of air.
- Air ducts are dripping, often producing telltale whistling noises, and it is time to have them sealed as recommended by Energy Star.
9. The Heating System Makes Loud Noises.
A loud heating system is usually 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 must be replaced.
- A leak in the heater cabinet, sheet metal plenum or ductwork near the furnace that should be tightened up.
- A dirty filter, which can likewise cause whistling.
10. The Furnace Leaks when AC is Running.
Water condenses on the evaporator coil in your heater, and if it leaks onto the flooring, the problem is probably a blocked drain pan or drain line.
11. The Air Coming from the Heater Smells Bad.
Foul odors from the heater are normally brought on by:.
- An extremely unclean filter that need to be cleaned, if washable, or changed.
- A dead rodent or bird somewhere in the system, generally a job for an expert heater professional.
12. The CO Screen Going Off.
A carbon monoxide gas alarm should be taken seriously. Turn the furnace off at the thermostat. Don't enter into the room 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 Professional.
Some hvac company calgary property owners pick the least expensive repair service in Calgary, and the outcomes are typically poor. Cheap services are either just getting started, so do not have experience or they have a bad credibility, so need to provide inexpensive prices to get tasks.
On the other hand, some services are overpriced. The best way to discover quality heating system repair work at a fair cost is to get price quotes from numerous of the leading furnace repair work business in Calgary. Consult with each, learn more about their history and the experience of the specialists that will do the work. Choose a knowledgeable furnace repair professional with affordable rates.