Had the Circuit Board Fixed on My Heater All of a Sudden Not Working Again
There is zero worse than waking up cold in the middle of the night. It's one thing if you lot just demand to pull the covers up. It's a whole different effect if your furnace is working poorly or non working at all. With a fiddling exercise-information technology-yourself feel, 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 trouble. Today I have something that will make you experience like you lot have the knowledge to tackle some furnace repairs: 19 common furnace problems and how to fix them right now. Whether yous have a conventional gas furnace or a high efficiency gas furnace understanding how your furnace/heating system works is important.You lot need to empathize the basic workings of the appliance so you know what to expect for when in that location is something wrong. Let'due south take a expect at a conventional furnace and tips to solve its more common bug. (If you lot experience uncomfortable with any of these do-it-yourself steps, then make a service phone call to a trusted professional. Saving a few dollars is not worth the doubtfulness or a dangerous event involving the furnace.) It may sound silly, but check the thermostat to ensure information technology is prepare on "heat" and that it is set at to the lowest degree five degrees above room temperature. You might be surprised how many service calls are made without checking this! Here are a few thermostat checks to bear yourself: Stride i: Check the battery on the thermostat. You may need to change the batteries on your thermostat. If your domicile's thermostat unit runs on batteries, be sure you are irresolute them at least in one case a year, or every bit needed. Somethermostats are wired to the house'south electric organization, while others apply batteries. How is yours powered? Sometimes those that utilise batteries volition flash a low-bombardment symbol when they need a replacement. Stride 2: Open the thermostat and gently blow any dust or debris that may have chock-full it. Pace iii: Make sure the date and fourth dimension is right on electronic or programmable models - the system may be on a timer. Step 4: Check the breaker. If on, turn off the billow and bank check the fuse for the furnace. There are any number of minor reasons why this could occur. Start, ostend that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then, try moving the dial upwards or downwards a few degrees to check if a noticeable difference is felt. If there is no result, check to see if peradventure a circuit billow or fuse was tripped or blown. How to Test Home Breakers: Go to your dwelling'due south breaker panel and look for the circuit that controls the furnace. You're looking to run across whether information technology'due south thrown to the "Off" position, or whether it's in the middle. 1. Manually exam the breaker. Flip it back and forth. 2. Make sure information technology is staying in the "On" position. This will reset the breaker. If this does not practise the trick, you take a trouble with either the wiring in the excursion or the circuit breaker itself. If you take a digital multimeter the side by side steps are for you: How to Test Home Breakers With a Digital Multimeter A furnace that struggles to produce rut is a different matter from i that has somehow stopped working. In the case of a poor-performing furnace that doesn't heat the abode sufficiently, kickoff ensure that the air filter is make clean and in practiced status, if not new. Bank check and Modify Your Clogged Filter This is a simple but essential part of furnace maintenance.One of the virtually mutual reasons to take a furnace not working is aclogged filter. Information technology likewise happens to be the easiest maintenance task. Replacing your furnace filter regularly is a quick and elementary task, and goes a long way in protecting HVAC components and improving your inside air quality. Cleaning the debris that builds up on your filters willaid with the catamenia of air . W hen your air filter is chock-full, your air handler must piece of work harder to compensate for the blockage of air flow. In addition to driving upwardly your utility bill, the reduced air menses through your heating and cooling organization tin cause your rut exchanger to overheat and close off too rapidly. "Filters clean the air headed into the furnace and the heated air sent back into the house. A dingy, clogged filter limits the airflow, eventually causing heat and pressure level to build up in the furnace. Newer, more efficient furnaces are sensitive to the problem and volition often shut down earlier a dirty filter causes more than trouble. For other units, the furnace will go along to run but with less heat output and reduced efficiency." If your furnace is not operating, one of the kickoff things y'all should do is check the safety switch on the furnace door. A furnace door condom switch prevents the fan and burner from coming on while the access console is removed. Furnaces have a safe switch that pops out when the door is removed. The door must exist in identify for the switch to exist activated and for the furnace to operate. If you discover yous need to install a new safety switch, follow the footstep past step instructions on "How to Install a Furnace Door Safety Switch." Footstep 1:Shut the ability off Step 2:Prep the blower door Pace iii:Wire the safe switch Step 4: Check and test the installation This may seem similar an obvious tip, simply sometimes homeowners with busy lives forget to pay attention to areas of their abode like the basement. A basement tin become cluttered, which in turn can lead to the area around the furnace being filled with miscellaneous possessions and debris. Not only does a clean furnace function better, it looks improve. Avert storing flammable substances or materials near your furnace. Crowding your furnace tin can lead to unexpected fires, significant damage to your domicile and danger to your family and pets. Even so convenient it may seem to just "store information technology in that location" for the summertime, consider the chance that you may well forget any items you've left on or near your furnace. Don't take chances, give your furnace the room information technology needs to operate safely. Additionally, five acuum and clean regularly around your furnace. While you may have removed any and all combustible items from the area, remember that dust and lint tin can build upwardly and create a fire risk. An backlog amount of grit and lint can as well cause your filter to go chock-full sooner than usual, requiring more frequent replacement. The almost common failures associated with your burners can come from contagion. You will desire to audit your burners to make sure they are free from droppings. You want to make sure your burners are clean and ane mode to do this is to look at the flames. Are they blueish and even? Then your burner is likely clean. If they are xanthous, you probably accept dirty burners. You tin clean your burners with a vacuum cleaner; just make sure to plow the ability and the gas off first. Another area yous should clean with a vacuum cleaner is the region around the blower. Dust can accumulate during the summer. Therefore, it's very important to check and clean the furnace burners before the start of the colder seasons. A combination of condensation and soot tin cause burners to role improperly, and may cause other furnace problems as well. The burner associates should be cleaned annually or replaced if the existing one is in poor status. When preparing your furnace for winter, it is of import to make certain all the components of your heating system are make clean and in working order. The furnace blower's primary role is to draw heat from the furnace and distribute information technology throughout the house.Keeping a furnace blower lubricated volition extend the life of your furnace. Here are 7 piece of cake and detailed steps How to Oil a Furnace Blower Motor, courtesy ofSFGate: Step 1 : Turn off the circuit breaker at the main electrical console that supplies the furnace'due south power. Pace 2 : Remove the furnace'south admission console past detaching the screws with a screwdriver. Footstep iii : Locate the blower motor assembly about the base of the furnace. Remove the bolts securing the blower motor to the furnace's main associates with a wrench. Pace 4 : Locate the set screw on the side of the blower motor housing. Disassemble the bolts. Pull the motor from the housing. Stride 5 : Locate the oil ports on the motor and shaft. Pace six : Clasp 2 to 3 drops of oil into each port. Step 7 : Activate furnace. Blower motor should run better with the new oil. The furnace blower motor plays a large role in how your heating system functions. It should be oiled once a year and it shouldn't make whatever unusual noises when started. A bad limit switch could cause the blower to run continuously, and as a event, it will significantly shorten the lifespan of the blower. Having a technician supersede the limit switch will quickly solve that problem. How can I examination whether my furnace issue is the limit switch or the thermostat? "If the high limit switch was bad, the furnace should not fire. When the high limit switch trips, the flame/heating chemical element will exist close off and the blower will go on to run to articulate the heat. The blower volition continue to run until either the system is reset, or the limit switch closes." "Limit switches are normally closed, and they should always fail open. Which ways when they go bad, or the temperature gets too high they open the circuit. If the circuit is open, you'll want to supercede the limit switch." Gas furnace operation can function with a pilot low-cal or have electronic control, which eliminates the need for a constant flame. A faulty ignition arrangement such as those found on furnaces with a thermocouple, can significantly reduce the power of the furnace to properly oestrus the domicile. Drafts or clogs in your heating arrangement can consequence in your airplane pilot light going out. Many newer systems ignite electrically, rather than by a standing pilot calorie-free. Action steps you tin can take yourself include: Step i: Turn the furnace power switch off and back on (the ignition may demand to be reset). Pace 2: Plough off ability and gas to the furnace to let inspection of heating element. Exercise not touch the heating element, but if it looks croaky or damaged, you'll need to supersede the igniter. Step 3: With manual in manus for the furnace, become through the steps recommended past the manufacturer to troubleshoot performance. As with the airplane pilot low-cal, you can do damage to the system and your property if y'all skip steps or condom procedures during this task. Step 4:Follow the directions and if it doesn't work, call for service. In the case of a furnace turning on and off once more as well quickly, many causes be. As always, the first may be a dingy or worn-out air filter. If yous haven't replaced it within very recent memory, attempt doing so — it'due south a quick and piece of cake ready. When to call a professional: If a new filter doesn't solve the problem, you lot may take a more serious situation. There may exist an issue with the blower motor and belts, both of which require the service of a professional person. Look into theinspection window on the furnace. Brand sure the blower is clear of any debris. Also, in that location should be a flashing light; green or red. Check the manual to be sure. If the light is green, it's okay; if red, call for service. And if there is no low-cal, the furnace trouble may exist with the thermostat, the blower motor, the run capacitor, furnace control board or transformer. The blower is located between the return ductwork and the furnace. Cool air is sent by the blower into the oestrus exchanger and warmed before entering the plenum and then sent throughout your home by the supply ducts. A constantly running furnace that doesn't shut off can be a sign of a needed repair. Check to ensure that your thermostat is non set to "continuous fan". Turn the temperature downwardly to run into if this measure solves the trouble. A gas furnace blower that does not turn off could also bespeak a problem with a faulty limit control switch. (which may need resetting or replacing). Rumbling, squeaking and rattles aren't normal. The sounds may indicate a mechanical trouble, airflow reductions or a clogged burner. Sometimes a furnace may be running fine, simply loudly. If you can tell the racket is a result of the air running through the ductwork, one solution may be to insulate your ductwork to cut down on the dissonance. If the actual furnace system is making odd noises, this tin can occur when the pilot light is improperly adjusted or the blower motor lubrication ports need oiling. There may as well be an issue with the belts or even the burner. What are the different noises coming from your furnace? a. Pinging or popping sounds - could be thermal expansion- the ductwork expanding and contracting as information technology heats and cools. b. Rattling noises - loose panels may need to exist tightened. c. Squealing noises - could exist a belt that connects the motor to the fan slipped. Or the belt needs replacement. d. Grinding sounds - probably time to phone call a furnace repair technician. The motor bearings demand repair. (source) The Spruce; a site dedicated to offer practical, real-life tips to help you create your best dwelling; came up with their list of identifying furnace sounds. Ranging from scraping, thumping, humming, banging and rumbling, they provide a listing of common furnace related noises and their possible causes to improve describe the trouble to your technician. Walk through the entire house and check the vents to ensure naught is blocking them. A curtain or piece of article of furniture may be obstructing the openings of ane or more vents, preventing heat menses. The flame sensor is a crucial safety feature on your gas heating equipment. Itsafeguards your furnace against the unsafe burning of fuel, and a dirty flame sensor may cause your furnace to part improperly. Typically, the flame sensor comes in the grade of a rod that can be found well-nigh the dorsum of the furnace, right in the path of the burner. How to Clean the Sensor: Stride 1: Plow off power to the furnace at the billow box Pace ii: If possible, remove the sensor from the furnace Pace 3: Scrub the sensor gently to remove dust and other residues Step four: Reattach the sensor Pace 5: Resume ability to the furnace Over time, if the flame sensor is not cleaned accordingly, oxidation or carbon buildup tin can restrict the flame sensor's ability to work properly, which can cause the furnace to malfunction. "The way to determine if an unclean flame sensor is causing a furnace malfunction is to take a micro amp draw reading, which an expert furnace technician can provide you. If a dirty flame sensor is the guilty party, the furnace expert will clean the sensor with steel wool. If dirt was the just factor, you will run across a significantly college amp reading. If the reading does not alter, a technician will continue with the furnace repair diagnostic process." What a Flame Sensor is and Why it Matters Check the entire gas line from the principal inlet to the furnace burners. While standing at the furnace, follow the gas line. Information technology may be closed, or the switch may take been turned off. Check to see if your hot h2o tank is working. If non, it may be a gas supply upshot to the firm. T he gas line should exist assault "Open". Also, if the furnace has a airplane pilot light, cheque to run across if it is lit. Sometimes, a airplane pilot low-cal can be extinguished in the off-season. Re-lighting the pilot is a simple process. Instructions are usually posted on the side of the furnace. If the pilot light does non stay on after a few attempts, yous may need a repair from a professional. If youdoubtable a gas leak, and thearoma is stiff, you should immediately leave your dwelling house and contact your gas utility company. A gas leak volition effect the efficient operation of your gas furnace. But more chiefly, information technology tin be a very serious health hazard to y'all and your family. "If you lot 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), supplant it with ane/two-in.-mesh hardware cloth. If water ice is clogging one of the pipes, you have a bigger problem somewhere in the arrangement. Clear it off and call a technician to notice out why it'southward happening. If you accept a rut pump, clear away grass and leaves from the fins of the outdoor compressor unit. Before heating flavour starts, hose it downwards gently from the pinnacle to rinse dirt and debris out of the housing." source Furnaces are designed and built to final many years, but none of them proceed running forever. If your item heating unit has reached or passed the manufacturer's warranty menstruation, y'all may not be getting all of the heating productivity that you're paying for. It might be time to replace your HVAC system. I know this article showed you how to fix some of the common furnace problems. Have you experienced any of the do-it-yourself repairs? Having your arrangement inspected periodically, and at least as often every bit the manufacturer recommends, can forestall a minor repair from becoming a major endeavor. Call up while attempting practise-it-yourself repairs can be satisfying and cost effective, information technology is important to be certain that you have the skills before attempting any work on your furnace. If the tips do not help y'all to find or solve problems or if they are in a higher place your skill-level, yous may demand the services of a furnace repair professional. It's then important to maintain seasonal cleaning and tune-ups for your HVAC arrangement. Information technology is a forgotten organisation until it stops working. 
Problem 1
Cheque Your Thermostat to make certain information technology'due south ON
Problem 2
Furnace is Non Producing Heat - Endeavour to Reset Home Circuit Breaker
Problem three
Furnace is Not Producing Enough Heat -Check and Change Your Clogged Filter
Problem 4
Condom Switch on Furnace Door
Problem 5
Keep the Expanse Around Your Furnace Clean and Unobstructed
Trouble 6
Await at the Burner Flames
Problem vii
Oil the Furnace Blower One time a Yr
Problem viii
Bank check Your Limit Switch
Trouble 9
Bank check Your Electrical Ignition or Pilot Command
Problem 10
Heating or Rapid Cycling Issues
Problem 11
Furnace Does Not Blow Air
Problem 12
Gas Furnace Blower Runs Continuously
Problem xiii
Noisy Furnace or Duct Piece of work
Problem xiv
Cheque Your Vents
Problem 15
Flame Sensor Needs Cleaning
Problem 16
Inspect Gas Line
Trouble 17
Smelling Gas - Proceed With Circumspection
Trouble 18
Clean Leaves and Debris from Heat Pumps or Intake and Frazzle Vents
Problem nineteen
Know the Age of Your Furnace
Determination:
Had the Circuit Board Fixed on My Heater All of a Sudden Not Working Again
Source: https://www.centralhtg.com/blog/furnace-repair