In Westchester County there are over 100 days annually when the nighttime low temperature falls below freezing. Winter is simply not the time to experience a gas furnace breakdown. For an emergency, here is guidance in selecting a reputable HVAC company.
The following troubleshooting tips could help resolve some common heating issues before making that selection:
- Assure that your thermostat is on, with fully operational batteries if needed
- Reset your circuit breaker or fuse, if tripped
- If your furnace door has a safety switch, be sure that it is on
- Look for an error code (usually only available on newer gas furnaces)
- Check for a dirty flame sensor
- Inspect your furnace filter
- Test your inducer motor
- Listen for how your blower motor sounds when turning on or off
- Assess your control board is operating properly
TURN ON SWITCHES OR REPLACE FUSES
The on-off switch on your thermostat or furnace door could be unintentionally turned off. A battery-operated thermostat might run out of charge. A matter unrelated to your furnace might trip a circuit or blow a fuse. Avoid incurring a service charge or having to wait for a repair visit by safely performing any of the first three easy fixes.
LED ERROR CODES
Newer gas furnaces include an LED error light on the control board or behind the sight glass. These lights are steady or blink in pattern to communicate an error code. Usually green or red – alternating between blinks and pauses – a sequence can be interpreted by a trained technician or owner’s manual.
When you reset the power to your furnace, that error code gets cleared. If the problem persists, then the error code will re-transmit as you turn the unit on and off.
DIRTY FLAME SENSOR
A common problem is a dirty flame sensor. Typically, the flames light for a few seconds and then turn off. The furnace will try to fire again 3 (or so) times. On the next failed attempt, the unit will go into a lockout for several hours.
This is like how a computer allows a limited number of failed logins before shutting down for a brief period. At this point, turn your furnace off to avoid touching flowing electricity. Locate the flame sensor. Clear the metal rod of any grimy build up that is preventing the unit from sensing the flame. It is this blockage that directs your furnace to turn the gas valve off and thus extinguishing the flames.
Use a mildly abrasive instrument, such as a dishwashing scrub pad. You may need to clear the burners of any blockage or grime as well. Replace the flame sensor. If that restores normal operation, you can go back to enjoying your home’s climate control as usual.
REPLACE YOUR FURNACE AIR FILTER
A clean air filter promotes air flow past your heat exchanger to keep your unit operating. A clogged air filter restricts air flow causing your furnace to overheat. Once the high-limit fan switch is triggered, the flame shuts off to allow the unit to cool down.
If this cycle is triggered several times, the furnace will go into lockout mode for a few hours. This failsafe is like the flame sensor issue cited above. Unless it is near freezing or below, this cycling on and off might escape notice since the blower fan might be running. A trained technician will be sufficiently experienced to quickly determine this problem.
You can avoid this issue by investing in a maintenance program or replacing your air filters quarterly or semi-annually.
INDUCER MOTOR OR BLOWER MOTOR FAILURE
If your thermostat settings fail to produce expected operations, you may have a bad inducer motor. For example, if your home’s temperature reading is ten degrees below your thermostat settings, you would expect your furnace to start heating your house. If nothing happens, it could be that your control board sent power to the inducer motor, but the motor is not starting.
The inducer motor may be burned out or blocked by debris such as a dead rodent or a bird’s nest. When you remove the furnace door, touch the inducer motor. If it is hot, then either the motor is bad, or something is stuck in the blower wheel inside. You might need to replace the motor, and that operation is often beyond the ability of the average layperson.
An odd smell, especially of burning plastic, is an indicator of a bad blower motor. You might hear a fan-like whirring, but the unit will not start. Without a fan, the temperature limit sensor will trigger a shutdown until the furnace cools down. If your burners have been firing for a minute or longer, without starting your blower motor, there is a good chance the blower motor needs to be replaced.
There is a chance that the control board is not directing power to the appropriate component.
THE NORMAL SEQUENCE OF THINGS AND YOUR CONTROL BOARD
Typically, a gas furnace goes through this sequence:
- The inducer motor comes on first
- The igniter will start to blow.
- The gas valve opens
- The flames ignite indicated by the burners lighting
- The blower motor begins spinning within one-third to three-quarters of a minute
If it has been a couple of minutes and the blower motor has not triggered, then the failure is the control board. Perhaps power is not being sent to a component. Possibly the control board is triggering both the air conditioner and the furnace simultaneously. A meter or an experienced technician will be needed to diagnose this matter correctly.
Newer systems may self-diagnose, but the error code will have to be accurately decoded. Most heating failures are not caused by old age, but by neglect. Skipping routine furnace maintenance is a costly mistake that can result in heating failure on the coldest days and parts being worn-out too soon. A Thermodynamix Heating Maintenance Plan provides:
- Filter, capacitor & flame sensor replacements
- 15-point system inspection to catch problems before they cause breakdowns
- Blown out & tested drains to prevent costly water damage
- 15% off parts & labor + discounts with partner companies
- 24/7 priority service – especially useful in an emergency
A maintained furnace lasts longer, improves energy efficiency, and avoids the costliest repairs. If you suspect a leak due to a strong gas odor, immediately contact your gas utility company. Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors installed to report gas buildup.
Otherwise, be proactive and minimize the likelihood of inconvenient breakdowns if you notice indicators such as:
- Gas furnace blower continuously running
- Heating or rapid cycling problems
- Heat is insufficient or air being blown is not hot
- Room temperature does not match thermostat reading
- Unusual noises such as rattling, grinding or pinging
- Leaking air ducts
- Flame color that is not blue
If troubleshooting your heating system in Westchester County does not work,
A good furnace will last fifteen years or more. Eventually mechanical systems fail or become technologically obsolete. If your heating unit requires frequent repairs or has simply fallen behind, it might be time to replace your system. Get back to living your life and enjoying your family instead of worrying about climate control in your home.
Why Choose Us?
With over 40 years of local service, Thermodynamix is experienced in service your home heating needs in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Fairfield Counties. Our team has a reputation for excellent customer service.
