how to repair a gas furnace

^{How To Repair Gas Furnaces}

• Replace The Air Filters. The most effective and easy DIY fix is to change the air filters. ...
• Check The Thermostat Regularly. Consult the users-manual for locating the thermostat. Sometimes replacing the thermostat battery can fix the issue.
• Minimize Drafts. If the gas furnace is subject to air drafts, you may be dealing with ignition problems. ...
• Check The Circuit Breaker And Power Supply. If the thermostat screen is blank and the gas furnace is not producing heat, check the power supply and circuit breaker.

Full Answer

How to troubleshoot and reset a furnace?

• Some really old furnaces won’t have a switch. ...
• The light switch will typically have a faceplate and an electrical box to house the wires, just like a regular outlet.
• If you flip the switch and your furnace kicks on, you were probably trying to troubleshoot the furnace when it was off!

How do you restart a furnace?

Restarting Furnace After Running Out of Propane – Step-By-Step Process

1. Fill the tank. Bleeding the tank without first refilling the tank is zero work. ...
2. Hit the reset button. This step will help you determine whether you need to bleed the heater in the first place. ...
3. Turn off the heater. ...
4. Gather the necessary tools. ...
5. Find the bleeder valve. ...
6. Attach the nylon tubing. ...
7. Turn ON the furnace and loosen the bleed valve. ...

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How to restart a gas furnace after a power outage?

• The small button or dial next to the pilot light opens the valve to release a little gas. ...
• Newer furnaces don’t have pilot lights.
• Tape down the safety switch temporarily if you need to keep the panel open to prime the furnace.

What is the best way to repair a furnace?

What We Found

• If you’re getting low airflow, check the air filter on the furnace; a clogged filter could cut airflow to a trickle.
• See whether there are loose wires or a malfunction in the thermostat. For an electronic thermostat that runs on batteries, try changing them.
• Are fuses burned out or circuit breakers tripped? ...

Can I fix my furnace myself?

With a little do-it-yourself experience, you can troubleshoot and repair your furnace yourself. Your best bet though, is to have a maintenance check list for your heating system to avoid the problem.

How do you fix a furnace that wont work?

Furnace Troubleshooting Recap:Clean or replace air filter.Troubleshoot thermostat problems — replace batteries if necessary.Set thermostat to heat and at a higher temperature than the current room temperature.Check electrical panel for blown fuses or tripped breakers.Make power switch near furnace is flipped on.More items...•

What would cause a furnace not to kick on?

If your furnace is not turning on you should first check if the filter is clean. Dirty filters cause insufficient airflow and can prevent the furnace from starting. Other reasons it won't start can stem from improper thermostat settings, forgetting to turn on the gas line, or faulty pilot light.

How do you repair a furnace?

0:0013:247 Tips and Tricks to repair your Furnace DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's just sometimes not in the budget. First. Thing you want always check your thermostat. MostMoreIt's just sometimes not in the budget. First. Thing you want always check your thermostat. Most thermostats do you run off batteries in this case there is a screw in the bottom.

What is the most common problem with furnaces?

One of the most common furnace problems is a malfunctioning thermostat. A sure sign your thermostat isn't working properly is if your fan is constantly running. This will cause your thermostat battery to run, and cause your furnace to work inefficiently.

Why is my gas furnace not blowing hot air?

Troubleshooting Furnaces Not Blowing Hot Air Check batteries of your thermostat and replace the drained or faulty one. Check the fan settings on your thermostat if they are set to “auto” instead of “on”. Make sure someone else has not set your thermostat to a lower temperature.

Can hear your furnace click on but it does not fire up?

Most likely, your furnace is making a clicking noise and not providing heat because your furnace's spark igniter is trying to ignite your pilot light or burners but is failing to do so. In other words, there's an ignition system malfunction that needs to be fixed. Otherwise, your furnace won't start.

How do you diagnose a furnace problem?

11:1620:11Top 5 Furnace Problems and How to Fix Them - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBy that click if you have a multimeter you can check if it has power I also have a video where IMoreBy that click if you have a multimeter you can check if it has power I also have a video where I talk completely about the inducer motor how to troubleshoot it with and without a leader.

How do you know if your furnace ignitor is bad?

Here are a few indications that you have a faulty ignitor.No Cold Air. ... The Furnace Won't Come On. ... The Furnace Suddenly Stops Blowing. ... Starts, Then Stops, Then Starts Again. ... Tripping the Breaker More Than Once. ... I Hear the Click, But Nothing Happens. ... Flame Sensor Problems. ... Short Circuit.More items...•

How long do furnaces usually last?

15 to 20 yearsA well-maintained furnace can last at least 15 to 20 years, but completing annual maintenance and being diligent with repairs can extend its life even longer.

What to do if your furnace vents out the side?

"If you have a furnace that vents out the side of the house, make sure nothing is blocking the intake or exhaust. If either of the pipes is covered with screen mesh (like window screen), replace it with 1/2-in.-mesh hardware cloth.

Why is my furnace not working?

This is a simple but essential part of furnace maintenance. One of the most common reasons to have a furnace not working is a clogged filter. It also happens to be the easiest maintenance chore.

Why does my furnace make a noise?

The sounds may indicate a mechanical problem, airflow reductions or a clogged burner. Sometimes a furnace may be running fine, but loudly. If you can tell the noise is a result of the air running through the ductwork, one solution may be to insulate your ductwork to cut down on the noise.

How to tell if furnace filter needs changing?

This most likely looks like a grate in a floor, ceiling or wall. Other filters reside in the furnace itself. Check your filter - You can tell if the time has come to change it by holding it up to the light. If no light shines through, the filter needs changing.

What is a flame sensor?

The flame sensor is a crucial safety feature on your gas heating equipment. It safeguards your furnace against the unsafe burning of fuel, and a dirty flame sensor may cause your furnace to function improperly.

Why does my furnace light go out?

A faulty ignition system such as those found on furnaces with a thermocouple, can significantly reduce the ability of the furnace to properly heat the home. Drafts or clogs in your heating system can result in your pilot light going out. Many newer systems ignite electrically, rather than by a standing pilot light.

What is a safety switch on a furnace?

A furnace door safety switch prevents the fan and burner from coming on while the access panel is removed. Furnaces have a safety switch that pops out when the door is removed. The door must be in place for the switch to be activated and for the furnace to operate.

Dealing With Dirty Air Filters

The most common issues with gas furnaces start with dirty air filters. Before changing your filter, be sure to buy a replacement that will fit accordingly. When you have the correct replacement, turn off your furnace, switch out the old filter for the new filter and turn your furnace back on. Filters should be checked and replaced every few months.

Thermostat & Circuit Breaker Issues

A malfunctioning thermostat or a blown fuse in your circuit breaker can often stop the flow of heat from your furnace. If your thermostat requires batteries, verify that they are still providing power.

Gas Furnace Heating and Cycling Problems

If you notice that your furnace is running, but you don’t feel it radiating heat, there are a few things to check before calling in an HVAC professional. The first step is to make sure that nothing is blocking the warm air from flowing out of the vents, such as furniture or fabric.

Noisy Furnaces

Noisy furnaces are extremely common. Different noises signify different problems. If you notice popping sounds, it is likely that air is blowing past a floppy piece of metal in the duct run. Listen along the duct runs for the sound.

When does it make sense to hire an HVAC professional for furnace repair?

If your DIY attempts at these common problems do not seem to fix your issues, get an HVAC professional to help. Making an effort to troubleshoot your furnace independently can save you money, but calling a professional is the safest option if any of these issues persist.

When is it time to replace your gas furnace?

If any of your furnace problems continue after repairs and your furnace is between 15 and 30 years old, you may want to consider replacing it or getting it professionally maintenanced. Other signifiers that you may need a new furnace include high energy bills and expensive repairs.

How much does it cost to repair a furnace?

Although the average furnace repair cost is between $130 and $470, gas furnace repairs can cost up to $1200 or more due to their intricacies. Calling an HVAC professional can range from anywhere between $50 and $150 an hour.

Why does my furnace igniter crack?

However, over time, the constant heat/cool cycles cause the igniter to crack and fail.

Why does my furnace overheat?

A clogged air filter restricts airflow through the heat exchanger, causing the furnace to overheat. The high-limit switch detects the dangerous overheating and signals the computer to shut off the burners and run the blower fan to cool off the heat exchanger. Once the furnace cools, the computer tries to fire up again.

Where is the flame sensor located on a furnace?

The igniter and flame sensor are located inside a sealed combustion chamber and aren’t usually visible. But they can be replaced without removing the combustion chamber cover.

What is a high efficiency furnace?

High-efficiency furnaces are jam-packed with valves, sensors, motors and flue pipes. We’ve removed many of those larger components from this furnace so you can see what the parts look like and where they’re located. They won’t be as easy to see in your furnace.

How efficient are condensing furnaces?

Some of the components are complex in themselves and require special equipment to diagnose and repair. But other parts are pretty straightforward and easy to replace.

Can you replace an inducer fan motor?

But the fan requires special sealants and procedures to ensure it doesn’t leak any carbon monoxide into your home. Screw this up and you could kill somebody. Leave this one to the pros.

Can furnace dealers give out parts numbers?

Some furnace dealers won’t give out parts numbers or sell parts to DIYers. And appliance parts stores don’t always stock parts for every brand. In that case, search the Internet for “furnace parts” and enter your furnace brand and model number to find the right parts ( theignitorstore.com is one source).