My Furnace Won't Turn on - Seven Common Furnace Problems

It happens to thousands of Canadians every year from the outset of the cold season: you check out turn your furnace on after summer and nothing comes in. What next?

The good news: actual fixable. In fact, the most common furnace problems can be utilized care of without calling in a professional furnace repair technician. Others may have to have the help with a pro, pretty much definitely may not cost an arm rrncluding a leg. Here are the seven most common furnace problems experienced by Canadians:

1) A clogged air filter: All furnaces (gas and electric) have an aura filter. This lightweight but crucial part keeps dust and debris from getting inside of the furnace. What's more, it catches thinks like mold spores and allergens inside your indoor air and keeps them from getting re- circulated in your home.

Just simillar to the air filter on your vehicle, if your part gets too along with dirt it is allow any air prush out a. Your furnace sooner or later shut off if air can't circulate. If yours dies and sort of remember the last time you changed the filter you can examine this most important. It's usually located inside of 1 of along side it panels. It isn't difficult to access and take off.

Your filter (depending on brand) should be white, off-white or grayish in colouring. If it looks darker than this or actually see dust to their rear then this might be the culprit and it should be changed. Filters can can be bought at any local hardware collect.

2) The furnace itself is dirty. The outside of your furnace collects dust and debris might possibly get inside it and cause mechanical failure. If your furnace is visibly dusty/dirty, make use of a vacuum cleaner to wash it thoroughly. Remove side panels and carefully clean there too.

3) A worn belt: Furnace blowers may possess a belt that constantly spins. Like the belt on your vehicle, furnace belts wear out regularly due to friction. May possibly even tear when the rest malfunction.

Fixing a belt one is more complicated than changing an air filter. People who tend to be handy should attempt it all. If you are comfortable as part of your do-it-yourself skills you can consult your furnace's user guide to acquire to locate the gear. You should be able observe wear or tears on your belt.

It is advisable that the average home owner not work to replace a furnace belt himself. However, if you consult your owner's manual you may at least be capable of finding the belt and follow through at it to a choice in which it will be the source of the problem

4) A faulty thermostat: Sometimes when a furnace won't turn on it's not the furnace itself this is actually the problem: the thermostat may be to pin the blame on. The thermostat is the device that detects air temperature and turns the furnace or air conditioner on to adjust to the

temperature set by one. Thermostats usually are years, but not necessarily as long as the furnace itself.

Like belts, thermostats generally is a little bit tricky in order to. A skilled do-it-yourselfer should be able to repeat this successfully by consulting the owner's manual and the area hardware location. Otherwise you'll need to contact a certified.

5) The pilot light is off: If you hold a gas furnace, problem will the simple to detect. Just look inside the little opening and see if the blue flame is still burning. If not, this is almost certainly the problem, or worth of your home an associated with the real problem.

Sometimes an unexpected draft can extinguish the pilot lights. Troubleshoot by finding the gas valve (look at your owner's manual if you need coaching finding this). It will say 'on,' 'off' and 'pilot.' Turn the valve to the 'off' placement. Wait three to five minutes (to allow any gas to disperse). Then turn the valve to 'pilot.' Hold to the reset button and make use of a match (the long ones are good for this job) to re-light the preliminary. Once it catches, turn the valve to 'on.'

If you can get the flame to ignite, or it ignites but then goes out again, this could indicate a dirty, clogged opening perhaps bad thermocouple. This most likely require in order to definitely call in a professional, but at least you'll be able to give him an involving what the problem is.

The pilot light in modern gas furnaces does not have to be lit yourself. Instead it is lit by searching for igniter. For people who have this type of furnace, try turning off your furnace and then turning it back within. If the flame won't light you regularly have an igniter problem.

6) The pilot light flame is yellow: A yellow flame won't cause your furnace to stop running. However, it's worth mentioning for gas furnace owners that it's important to think about the pilot light frequently. The flame end up being blue due to the natural propane. If it's not, and specifically it looks yellow, this is a serious setback. It means that not enough air has become to the flame as well as that's carbon monoxide gas can be building up inside your home. Carbon monoxide gas is potentially fatal. Turn off your furnace and open your doors and windows to ventilate dwelling.

Call from a professional instantly to service your air conditioner. Also, you should install a carbon monoxide detector; every home will likely have one. Change it every a few years.

7) A fuse is blown: Fuses are designed to last for years. However, they do blow from time to time, particularly when your home experiences an electric surge or if perhaps you seeking to run great deal power. Check your electrical box to see whether this is the case. A blown fuse is easy and cheap to switch.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE: Always turn from the power back to your furnace before troubleshooting and repairing common furnace struggles!