Gas Furnace Troubleshooting Guide

As we start to get closer to winter your furnace will be essential for your comfort. In order for, your furnace to keep up with winter demand, it is important not to neglect necessary maintenance. However, if your furnace is not heating or not turning on at all read below for our gas furnace troubleshooting guide. The guide can help you determine if it’s a common problem you can fix yourself or if you need to call a professional.

Furnace Will Not Turn On

If your heater is not responding to the set temperature setting, it may signal a tripped breaker, issues with wiring, or the thermostat. To troubleshoot your gas furnace, try to reset the breaker and make sure your thermostat is set to heat with a temperature above the current room temperature. If after trying these steps your furnace is still not heating it could be a sign of a bigger issue. It could a faulty thermostat, control board, or blower motor. At this point call a professional to diagnose your system and provide a diagnosis for repairs.

Furnace Turns On, But Will Not Heat

If your heater is turning on, but not producing heat it could be a sign of a clogged air filter preventing the warm air from reaching the space. Inspect your filter, and if it needs to be changed replace it, or clean it if it’s a reusable kind. In this circumstance also inspect your thermostat and make sure it is set to heat and fan is on. If this doesn’t work, it may be a sign your blower is not working properly. In this case call a professional to inspect furnace.

Air Filter Is Often Clogged

If a blower motor that runs all the time, it can cause an air filter to frequently clog with dirt and debris. A clogged airflow can lead damage the limit switch which senses the internal furnace temperature. If the limit switch becomes clogged, call a professional to replace it and ensure proper airflow again.

Furnace Constantly Cycles On and Off

A furnace that constantly turns on and off is an issue that is called short cycling. A short cycling furnace should not be ignored because it can cause your furnace to run inefficiently or completely breakdown. The most common reasons your furnace may be short cycling may be due to a clogged air filter, thermostat malfunction or improperly placed, or an incorrectly sized furnace for your home. The easiest thing for you to do would be to check your air filter first and change it. For anything else it is best to contact a professional.

The Burner Is Not Staying On

If the burner is not staying on it could be due to a dirty flame sensor. The flame sensor detects whether or not there is a flame in the combustion chamber. If the flame sensor is dirty it causes the burner to be unable to detect a flame. Another reason for the burner not to stay on may be due to a tripping pressure switch. A pressure switch is a safety component in newer systems. The pressure switch will shut your unit down if it detects the venting in your system is not working properly. Improper venting can be a result of clogged air filters or blocked registers. Contact a professional who can determine why it is not staying on.

Pilot Light Is Not Staying On

A pilot light that will not stay on may be due to a faulty thermocouple. In some cases the thermocouple may need to be adjusted or replaced. Contact a professional who can determine what is necessary to get your furnace up and running.

When To Call A Professional?

Whenever you’re uncomfortable or are stuck during an uncomfortable stage call a professional. Remember to always take extra precautions to prevent injury. Some repairs will require a professional due to a severe issue or to replace a part. Call a professional when your furnace wont turn on, the system is short cycling, strange noises are coming from your system or you need to replace any gas furnace components.

How to Avoid a Costly Furnace Repair Or Replacement

The most important step you can take is to schedule regular maintenance for your HVAC system and don't neglect your gas furnace. Regular maintenance can reduce the amount of repairs that may be needed in the future. During a scheduled maintenance appointment, a professional can check key components, safety components and clean your system. In between maintenance appointments, change your air filter regularly and address any issues promptly. Give us a call today at 818-341-3406 if you need to schedule furnace maintenance or a furnace service call, we’re here to help. To learn more about services our company offers, please visit our homepage.

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