After a hard day at work, you drove home anxiously, hoping to get home to rest your weary body and find out that your furnace wasn’t working.
Here are some easy, step-by-step instructions on what to check if your gas furnace isn’t working properly.
Table of Contents
Inspect the air filter in your furnace and replace it if it’s unclean.
A furnace may turn off due to a blocked or unclean air filter.
The system’s airflow will be restricted if the air filter becomes too clogged, resulting in the heat exchanger overheating and shutting off automatically.
Before the air reaches the blower motor, your furnace’s air filter traps dust, trash, and other airborne particles. The blower motor distributes This air throughout your home’s air duct system, which moves the air through the heat exchanger and into the supply plenum.
As a result, your furnace will experience excessive wear and tear due to buildup in the heat exchanger caused by a filthy and clogged air filter.
Regular air filter change is necessary for your furnace to operate effectively for its lifespan (15 years or more for a well-made, high-quality furnace).
Check your Thermostat
Your thermostat detects the ambient temperature and “triggers” (sends an electrical current to the ignitor to ignite it), which turns on the burner.
Check whether the thermostat is functioning correctly (sending the signals it should transmit) if your furnace is not turning on or blowing heat.
To determine whether the furnace will restart, raise the temperature on your thermostat (often by 5 degrees).
Sounds extremely straightforward. However, dead batteries might be the issue. Replace the batteries in the thermostat.
The thermostat panel should be opened, and any dust or other material should be carefully blown away.
Check Your Air Ducts
The warm air is distributed throughout your house using air ducts. ‘Dampers’ are the handles that stick out from the ducts; they regulate the airflow.
For air to flow via air ducts, they must be completely open. The ducts may have cracks or holes, which means the hot air generated by your furnace is fleeing along the path if the air ducts are open and there are “cold spots” around your house or no air is coming from any duct.
High Energy Bills Often Detect Leaky Ducts
Depending on your competence and desire, you may DIY fix leaking ducts or hire a certified HVAC expert to do this typical repair operation.
Check the Blower Motor Panel
The air is forced past the heat exchanger and into the supply plenum, which is distributed throughout your system by the blower motor housed within a panel. The blower motor panel’s safety function stops the furnace from operating if it is not closed completely.
Please Verify that the panel door is Closed Firmly.
Your furnace ought to have an inspection window. A blinking green light and not red means problems with the blower system.
You may need to hire an HVAC specialist to check the motor, control board, transformer, and other potential faulty parts.
Check your Gas Valve
In Canada, gas furnaces are the most common kind of heating.
Gas is delivered to the burners as fuel, and the hot surface ignitor ignites the gas to create a steady, controlled flame that transfers heat to the heat exchanger.
As a result, the burners will only have access to fuel if the gas valve is correctly closed, which happens often.
Pilot lights are a common feature of older furnaces. Make sure the pilot light is lighted if your furnace has one. If the pilot light is yellow, carbon monoxide can be present. A typical gas combination has a blue flame, but an irregular one has a yellow flame. When carbon monoxide is found, a qualified expert can identify whether the problem is with the furnace’s mechanical parts or the house’s energy supply.
When to Hire a Professional Furnace Maintenance Provider
When DIY troubleshooting fails to solve the issue, there can be a component malfunction that necessitates a service call from a reliable furnace repair service provider.
These professionals possess the expertise to diagnose complex problems, ensuring your heating system operates efficiently and safely throughout the colder months, giving you peace of mind during winter. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them for prompt assistance.
