If your furnace is not working, you could end up facing a variety of problems. Frequent cycling. A hot-surface ignition system uses an electronically controlled resistance heating element, not unlike a light bulb filament, to ignite the gas burner. Contact, © 2021 Global Heating & Air Conditioning | LIC #988444 | Powered by CNG Digital Marketing | Privacy Policy. If there is a reset button on your furnace, turn the valve to the pilot position and hold a flame to the dedicated pilot gas tube while pushing the button for about 30 seconds. A gas furnace that is frequently cycling from “On” and “Off” modes is indicative that the furnace has a problem with its thermostat or the air filters may be clogged. The pilot light going out is one of the most common reasons that a gas furnace fails to produce heat. Return the breaker to the on position to restore power to the furnace. The valve is closed when it is perpendicular to (or across) the gas line. Browse Helpful Items on Amazon • Furnace Thermocouples • Thermostats • Furnace Filters • Furnace Motors Serving Homes and Businesses Throughout San Diego, CA, Global Heating and Air Conditioning 473 Vernon Way El Cajon, CA 92020, Heating Simply look for a standard wall switch on or near the furnace and check if it’s in the on or off position. Do you hear the furnace trying to light? Your first step should be to determine where the water is coming from. The furnace switch is usually mounted on a wall near the furnace, or sometimes even on the furnace itself. Luckily, relighting your pilot light is fairly simple. Since 2012, high-efficiency condensing furnaces with AFUE ratings of at least 90% have been increasingly popular, and they require different troubleshooting techniques. Is your pilot light on? You can try replacing the filter and checking the power and gas line to your furnace. The furnace doesn’t heat at all: A furnace that doesn’t perform its main task may have problems with the thermostat setting, power, gas or the pilot light. Sure, your furnace runs on gas, but it still needs electricity to function. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. When you know how to identify when your gas furnace ignitor is not working, you can have it taken care of by professionals rather than suffering in the cold.This way, you will be able to determine if the problem is something that is a simple fix or one that requires the help of a professional HVAC contractor. Here are some common reasons why your gas furnace might stop working or performing at optimal efficiency. A furnace needs an ignition source to light the gas and provide heat. You might hear loud banging, high-pitched squealing, or just a low-pitched humming. 10 Easy Things to Check When Troubleshooting a Furnace Gas Valve. Try These Troubleshooting Tips. If your furnace stops producing heat or is blowing cool air only, there are several possible culprits. Electronic ignition occurs typically in one of two ways: intermittent pilot or hot-surface ignition. Before calling in a heating repair professional, spend some time diagnosing the problem and seeing if you can fix the problem yourself. For a furnace to work it needs to draw in air and push it back out again. Newer gas furnaces are far more complex than earlier models so you need expert advice. If you are having furnace problems, plenty of furnace troubleshooting tips exist. If it's still not working, consult with a professional. Check the furnace’s ignition. If you have a gas furnace, the pilot light must be on for it to work. Step 1 Start with the basics. Furnace Not Working? Unfortunately, furnaces need regular professional tune-ups and homeowner upkeep to run strongly and efficiently.. If it does not operate correctly, and you cannot troubleshoot the cause on your own, call a professional for home heating repair service. Then, turn the gas valve to the off position and wait five minutes. 4. Once you do, you will be able to take stock of your options and pursue the strategy most likely to fix the issue cost-effectively. Like most home systems, furnaces that sit for long periods of time may have developed an issue when idle. Step 8: Furnace Won’t Turn On – Check Your Ignition Sensor Now you are starting to get into the weeds a bit. Make sure there is power to your thermostat and that there is no dust or debris in its components. Sometimes there is a humidifier mounted on the furnace or the return air ductwork. Or the thermocouple might be faulty, causing the gas supply to shut off. We have grown accustomed to warmth on demand. We all take heat for granted. First, confirm that the light is out. Furnaces and thermostats must be correctly matched to one another in order to function correctly. That said, if they do not work for you or if you feel uncomfortable completing any of them, give your local HVAC professionals a call. Furnaces usually take long vacations during the summer months. If the breaker continues to trip, there may be an electrical problem with your furnace or your home’s wiring, which will require a professional to diagnose and repair. On old furnaces, the standing pilot light can go out due to a strong draft, a dirty orifice in the pilot burner, or dirt in the gas tube. Here are the top seven parts that, if defective, will likely prevent the furnace from heating, and all of them can be replaced by the average homeowner: Faulty Igniter – If the igniter is faulty, it will be unable to ignite the gas into a flame to create heat. Potential simple solutions include replacing the filter, as a clog could be making the noise, and oiling the blower motor. For gas furnaces: Check the pilot ignitor, flame sensor and/or pilot light. In very cold weather, this activity might be normal and necessary to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. A gas furnace, regardless of its age, is still susceptible to problems, such as electronic ignition failure.Should this happen, the gas furnace ignitor will stop working, and the furnace will be useless. Either system can go bad over time and need repair or replacement, but sometimes the solution for a furnace not working is as easy as relighting the pilot light or replacing a thermocouple. ← Commercial Heater Installation: What to Expect, Pros and Cons of a Programmable Thermostat →. When you finally decide the heavier blanket is not cutting the mustard in the early morning hours, you want your unit to get back to work. The sounds may indicate a mechanical problem, airflow reductions or a clogged burner. The furnace or heat pump was working fine before the storm, but when power is restored the heat still isn’t coming on. And it's also easy to replace the thermocouple if it is faulty. A typical issue that comes up with gas furnaces is the electronic ignition. A furnace needs an ignition source to light the gas and provide heat. Depending on your unit, you may have a pilot light or an electronic ignition. If you can spot problems with your gas furnace when they happen, you will be able to get the help you need to have your furnace fixed right away. If the electronic ignition has a problem, your furnace might produce little or no heat, it might cycle frequently, or you might have an overactive blower. Furnace not igniting. High-efficiency furnaces are often known as condensing furnaces because they have a second heat exchanger that extracts additional heat from the air that passes through the first heat exchanger. Once outside, turn off your gas supply at the valve near your meter. If the furnace still doesn’t work, be sure the thermostat isn’t faulty. Your thermostat may have been accidentally turned off, … A furnace is crucial for comfort and survival in cold winter weather. Problems with your pilot light can cause your gas furnace to blow cold air. If your furnace is still not working, check these items: House batteries must be at 10.5 volts or higher. You might be able to address some repairs on your own while others will require a professional. Contact a professional to assess your situation and provide service. Even with proper maintenance, however, furnaces can break down and develop problems that impede regular functioning. 6. This switch usually powers the low-voltage thermostat as well as the furnace itself. Conventional furnaces are generally simple in design, but occasionally things don't work quite right. 7 Test the thermostat. I’ll describe what the gas valve does and why it’s important. For instance, your furnace might overheat or underheat your home in spite of how you've set your thermostat. Conventional gas furnaces are those rated up to 89% AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency). Instead, these gas furnaces use an electric ignition system that lights only as needed. Sorry about the poor camera work! Troubleshooting Furnace Problems. Remove the outer cover and clean the unit if it appears dirty. 9. Try replacing its batteries if the display on a traditional low-voltage thermostat or wifi thermostat is not indicating power. Gas leak. If simple fixes don't do it, it's probably time to call in a pro. Hey guys, today we’re going to talk about troubleshooting a furnace gas valve. A forced-air gas furnace, whether conventional or high-efficiency, is an appliance that does the following: The heated air then cools down throughout your home and returns to the furnace through return air grills and ductwork. Residential Once you've ruled out the common culprits with the furnace itself, such as a dirty filter, check the thermostat. It will likely lead to you needing to make a replacement. 5 Common Problems With High-Efficiency Furnaces. If your Lennox gas furnace won't start, doesn't provide enough heat or continuously cycles on and off, a bit of troubleshooting might just solve the problem without ever having to get a repairman involved. Make sure the thermostat is switched to heat, the fan is on, and the temperature is adjusted to your target warmth. The other reason the blower does not turn off could be because of the control switch on the fan. Another easy way to tell if the gas is on and working properly is by starting another gas burning appliance, like the stove. Problems with a thermostat can manifest as a furnace that produces no heat, wild temperature swings, or a furnace cycling on and off too frequently. Fortunately, problems with electronic ignitions sometimes can be fixed yourself. The intermittent pilot system uses an electronically controlled high-voltage electrical spark to ignite the gas pilot, which subsequently lights the main burners when the thermostat calls for heat. Pairing the wrong type of thermostat with a furnace will cause operating problems. Furnace Turns On and Off Too Often. I wanted to expand on our recent gas furnace troubleshooting series by going into each part of a furnace sequence of operation. Depending on your unit, you may have a pilot light or an electronic ignition. Filters should be checked at least every three months and most manufacturer’s recommend monthly replacement. Sometimes the furnace motor can overheat and trip the reset button. Not only is your home uncomfortable, but depending on the weather, it can also put your home at risk for bursting water pipes, mold and a host of other problems. (which may need resetting or replacing). My Gas Furnace Is Not Working – Now What? Air Conditioning All furnaces have a basic power switch. When cold weather hits, it is imperative that your furnace is working properly and producing enough heat to warm your home. Often a service technician can tell you about factors that are common to your furnace make and model that you can solve yourself in the future. If your furnace blower runs constantly, two likely reasons should be considered: Excessive noise in your furnace almost always indicates a budding problem that can turn into an expensive repair if you ignore it. Is your furnace ignitor not working or not glowing and the furnace is not igniting the gas? Sounds like a no-brainer, but if repairs or maintenance work were recently performed on your furnace, and it’s not working for some reason, you may want to check to ensure that it was turned back on. If issues continue to persist, you may also need to replace your thermocouple. After the motor has cooled locate the reset button and press it. Besides the need for consistently comfortable temperatures, this issue could cause long-term safety issues to your home, making it very important to address. Finding out that your gas furnace is not working can be a major inconvenience, so it’s vital that you understand why. What Is a High-Temperature Limit Switch on a Furnace? Gas furnaces cannot operate without electricity. A gas furnace should turn on and off throughout the day. Problem 13 Noisy Furnace or Duct Work. The furnace doesn’t heat enough : In addition to a clogged filter, a furnace may not produce enough heat if it’s the wrong size for the space. Then our idyllic reality is shattered and we want answers in a hurry. Both gas and electric furnaces require electricity in order to work. Modern furnaces come with safety switches on their front panels that don’t allow the furnace to engage if it’s not properly closed. Ignition Problems. Commercial Global Heating and Air Conditioning Sometimes, it is more stubborn. If not, the gas valve and spark ignitor will not work but the blower will. This can be very dangerous and should be addressed as soon as possible. By using The Spruce, you accept our, Review of Gas Furnace Types and Efficiencies, 3 Things to Check When Your Furnace Stops Working, How to Troubleshoot Electric Ignition Furnace Problems, How to Light the Standing Pilot Light on a Gas Furnace, Troubleshooting an Electronic Ignition Furnace That Won't Light, How to Replace a Furnace Thermocouple or Electronic Flame Sensor, How to Troubleshoot a Gas Furnace That Produces No Heat, Troubleshooting an Intermittent Pilot Ignition System, How to Check a Pilot Light on a Gas Furnace, Troubleshooting Common Problems With a Gas-Fired Hot Water Boiler. Throughout the process, if you suspect a gas leak you must deal with it immediately. If you don’t immediately discover the source of the odor and the smell is strong, exit your home while also leaving the door open. See How to Test a Thermostat. Perhaps your blower motor has burnt out and you need a new one. Either system can go bad over time and need repair or replacement, but sometimes the solution for a furnace not working is as easy as relighting the pilot light or replacing a thermocouple. The cold returning air enters back through the air filter into the furnace to complete another heating loop. Newer conventional furnaces don't rely on a standing pilot to ignite the gas burners. A gas furnace blower that does not turn off could also indicate a problem with a faulty limit control switch. If you only see the leak when running your air conditioner, chances are that the water condensate line has a clog or a leak. Easy potential fixes include: Cut down on energy costs and prevent damage to your furnace by addressing a gas furnace that's frequently cycling on and off, or "short cycling." For gas furnaces, even though gas is the fuel that provides the heat, electricity is needed to operate the blower motor, relays, circuit boards, and more. Read your owner’s manual if you’re unsure. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. With a gas furnace, the pilot light may have gone out or the gas valve may be shut off. Cut down on energy costs and prevent damage to your furnace by addressing a gas furnace that's overactive or short cycling. Without it, we would still be huddling around wood fires to stay warm. So whether your limit control switch is shutting down your furnace because it thinks your furnace is overheating, or because the limit control switch itself is damaged and needs to be replaced, I’d say that replacing this switch is your next best step in troubleshooting a furnace that is not blowing air. Do not flip switches on the way out and do not stop to gather anything you find invaluable in the moment. Here are a couple things to check before giving your local heating and air conditioning contractor a call. But what many homeowners don’t understand is that water is a natural byproduct of a gas furnace or air conditioner at work. Some common symptoms exhibited by your furnace might actually be due to a faulty thermostat. A high-efficiency condensing furnace is a little more complex than a conventional furnace, and troubleshooting is somewhat more complicated since there are more potential problems. Gas leaks are dangerous. Most modern gas furnaces have an electronic pilot igniter coupled with a flame sensor rather than a physical pilot light. Is your furnace blower motor not working and there is no air coming out of your vents? There are three types of thermostat systems used today: millivolt, low voltage, and line voltage. Make sure you have installed the correct type for your furnace. Bob Formisano is a licensed architect and builder with 30 years of experience in the industry. Check to see if your panel door is secure. If your gas furnace is not working, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem. Flip a switch or adjust a knob and within minutes, hot air bathes us in comfort; unless your gas furnace is not working. Fixing a gas furnace: this is a real-time look at how I'm keeping warm until the new gas valve comes. Yearly Maintenance While you are probably better off leaving the difficult problems of thermocouples, wiring, heat exchanger, and blower motors to a qualified professional, there are a good number of things you can check before you phone a qualified HVAC contractor for furnace repair service. If it is not working either, then you’ve found your problem and it’s time to call the gas company or get the propane tank filled. Locate the correct fuse in your service box and check to see if the breaker is tripped (flipped up halfway or in the off position). If either the return or the vents are blocked, the furnace cannot do its job. These are often old furnaces that have standing pilot lights, and they are usually noncondensing furnaces that vent exhaust gases through chimney flues rather than through PVC piping. Some problems you can fix yourself, but it might save you money in the long run if you get a professional in right away. 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