what can cause a furnace to stop working

This may be the most common cause for an under-performing furnace. If this is a GFCI outlet (it should be), check to make sure the GFCI hasn't tripped. Finally, if you smell gas or believe there is a leak, evacuate your home immediately and call a professional to evaluate the emergency issue. If your furnace keeps turning on and off repeatedly, it can be stressful at best, and cold or downright uncomfortable at worst. Sudden uncomfortable temperatures are a possible sign of this problem. If your furnace igniter is faulty, this is what can cause a furnace to stop working. This can be an alarming symptom, but it's actually not all that serious. Lack of maintenance. Check to see if the igniter needs replacement by: When a furnace turns on and off, this is called short cycling, which can cause damage. Check the exterior of the furnace and verify all access panels are snug in their correct positions. Your furnace could also be the cause … Clogged Air Filter. Dirty Furnace Filters The furnace’s air filters are responsible for preventing dust particles, debris, and dirt … Electric Ignition or pilot control problems. The thermostat is the control center of the furnace… You might be surprised to learn it’s not always the furnace’s fault. How to Wire a Line-Voltage Thermostat for a Baseboard Heater, How to Troubleshoot a Gas Furnace That Produces No Heat, How to Repair a Wall-Mounted Electric Heater, 8 Common Problems With Conventional Gas Furnaces, Troubleshooting Common Problems With a Gas-Fired Hot Water Boiler, Understanding the Terminal Letters on a Thermostat, Choosing the Right Thermostat for Your Furnace, How to Replace a Furnace Humidifier Solenoid Valve, How to Replace a Furnace Thermocouple or Electronic Flame Sensor, Understanding Electric Water Heater Wiring, How to Troubleshoot a Low-Voltage Thermostat. Open the lid to the condensate pan (usually removing the condensate pump in the process). Modern high-efficiency furnaces have a two-stage heat exchange design that creates condensed water that is removed from the furnace by a drain line. Remove the metal clip to detach all burners. If your furnace is newer, it may not have a pilot light. Turn off your furnace to avoid causing damage to the unit and keep it off until repairs are made. Is your pilot light on? Dirty air filters are often the culprit behind an inefficiently performing furnace. The condensate pump and pan is about the size of a shoebox, usually located on the side of the furnace. Condensate pumps are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace. Some furnaces have safety controls that can cause a furnace to stop working. Remove the furnace access panel to the combustion chamber, and remove the small access panel enclosing the burner chamber, if applicable. Is the set temperature a few degrees above the current room temperature to initiate a heating cycle? If it has, merely resetting the outlet may return the pump to operation. Turning electricity and gas back on then monitoring performance to see if the furnace will now work. The furnace's switch looks just like an ordinary light fixture switch, sometimes located on the furnace cabinet itself, sometimes on the wall near the furnace. The defective thermostat triggers the furnace to stay longer than usual, which adds additional corrosion to the unit. Your thermostat controls the operation of your heating system. Additionally, we note the issues that require professional service so you know when to call for help. … A powered-off switch, faulty thermostat, or air duct issues could be to blame. If the gas supply to the furnace is disrupted, your furnace could potentially be lacking the amount of fuel necessary to ignite. Replacing the filter is an easy solution you can try, but if the circuit breaker trips repeatedly, it is time to call a professional to examine the furnace or circuit breaker for more serious problems. If your furnace doesn’t come on, check the circuit breaker. If a furnace’s access panels are not properly attached to the unit, the furnace does not start. Just like any other appliance in your home, a furnace that suddenly stops running may be experiencing an electrical power interruption. Faulty components and wrongly sized systems are also to blame for this problem. It can also … Other times, the condensate pump is hard-wired into the furnace and is powered directly by the furnace. . Unlimited Claims You can … Blog | 5 Issues That Can Cause Your Furnace to Stop Working 1. This component needs to be replaced by a technician. The question is, what can cause a furnace to stop working? Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years. Locate your main electric service panel and open the door. Contact your HVAC technician to assess the furnace and diagnose the cause of short cycling. Dirty filters. A: Most of the time, the furnace transformers will stop working because it couldn’t convert the right voltage to start the ignition, controls and timers. October 11, Gas Safety Week: what to do if you suspect a gas leak September 11, Boiler Doesnt An unforeseen electrical and mechanical malfunction can cause a boiler to stop working altogether. Checking the thermostat is fairly easy to do, and many of the fixes are well within the reach of a DIYer. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems are affected by the wind throughout the year, and cold winds may not only cause your furnace to stop heating but also blow in cold air from … Over time, the vibration that results from the furnace running can cause internal … If what can cause a furnace to stop working is not fixed by the troubleshooting steps above, or you run into an issue that requires professional help, it’s time to. A Bad Thermostat Your issue could be a bad thermostat. Typically, furnaces in homes throughout Atlanta are very reliable. 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. One of the most common causes of furnace problems is dirty and clogged filters. If all else fails, check the gas valve. The first thing you need to consider is the age of your furnace. In many cases, simply replacing the battery will return the thermostat—and your furnace—to perfect operating condition. Clean the burners by following this process: If your furnace makes grinding noises as it runs, this is a sign the bearings within its motor are not properly lubricated. Other possible causes include a faulty connection in the thermostat, a pilot flame in need of cleaning, a switch that’s been turned off … This is a byproduct of your furnace releasing soot into the air because it’s not burning as efficiently. When a furnace stops working, the problem very often lies with the thermostat. A dirty filter can restrict airflow, causing the heat exchanger to go into overdrive and eventually … If the pump is hard-wired into the furnace, though, you may need to hire an electrician. Surfaces in your home seem dirtier. Sometimes this is as simple as the ON-OFF toggle switch on the furnace being accidentally shut off—this can happen, for example, if you have kids who play around in the utility room. Clear away all items stored around your furnace – keep at least 6 feet of clearance. Check your thermostat settings – is it on and is HEAT mode selected? Wear and tear. The Circuit … Set your thermostat to heat instead of cool, then set it to 5 degrees above room temperature and see if the furnace comes on. If the issue continues to happen, there is an underlying problem at hand that will keep occurring. This drain line may include a small pump if the furnace installer ran a tube for the condensate water to a utility sink or other plumbing fitting. Bad Furnace Thermostat Your furnace & thermostat must be compatible; otherwise, it will cause … This can be caused by a faulty wire in the transformer or just an old furnace. Over time and years of regular use, cracks or other damage can cause your furnace to consume more energy. Several factors may cause the furnace to slow down or stop working, including dirty filtration, frequent usage, and fuel supply constraints are the most widely recognized … This issue requires a professional to fix, as knowledge of this electronic component is necessary. A flipped circuit breaker can cut … Below are the 10 most common furnace problems. If what can cause a furnace to stop working is not fixed by the troubleshooting steps above, or you run into an issue that requires professional help, it’s time to call Estes Services. If the gas line leading into the furnace is closed, the system receives no fuel and therefore does not heat. Check the gas valve on this line and ensure it is opened. Using a multimeter at the igniter plug. If your furnace is producing weak airflow or keeps shutting down, that’s a … Sometimes this can indicate a circuit breaker that is beginning to fail, and means it will need replacing sometimes soon (a job for an elecrician). Check to see if the draw tube is still at the bottom.The condensate pump pan might be overly full and leaking on the floor. Another common power interruption occurs if the circuit breaker controlling the furnace has tripped and shut off. Reset tripped breakers. This sound is usually heard after a long heating cycle—the sound runs for a few minutes, then stops. What can cause a furnace to stop working? Filters can trap dust and other debris, restricting the flow of air over time, causing your furnace to work harder to overcome the blockage which often leads to overheating. Short cycling is often caused by clogged filters and airflow – check and replace the filter, and ensure all vents are unblocked. Fuel will not be ignited to create heat. If it reads zero or infinity, the igniter needs to be replaced. Your thermostat controls the operation of your heating system. Plenty of reasons. Your heat exchanger is a likely culprit of your furnace problem if you notice any of the following: To remedy the issue, call a licensed HVAC service technician. To reset this circuit breaker, first turn the thermostat to the lowest setting to prevent the furnace from starting up at the instant you reset the breaker. Malfunctioning thermostat. Clogged Filters The other reason why a furnace may stop working is clogged filters. Check the filter and replace it if it’s covered in debris. (If there is a handy floor drain near the furnace, the installer may have installed a simple gravity drain tube from the furnace to the floor drain.). The first thing you can do is replace the filter and check the power and gas line attached to your furnace to ensure they are not broken and in proper working order. However, sometimes they act quite finicky and cease to work. If it is dirty, it doesn’t detect a flame, which is what can cause a furnace to stop working. … The Furnace. Turning off the furnace’s electricity and gas. Possible causes: The furnace could need resetting. Clean the burners by following this process: Turn off electricity at the breaker box and close the gas valve leading into the furnace. Let’s look at some of the most common culprits behind a malfunctioning furnace. Does the thermostat need fresh batteries? Your furnace’s heat exchanger transfers heat from combustion to the air. Your furnace may … Repairing the furnace or … Dirty … to assess the furnace and diagnose the cause of short cycling. If your furnace stops working, check the thermostat: A flipped circuit breaker can cut power to your vital heating system components. Problem: Heater will not light/stay lit. Check the … Blow compressed air through the burner to remove interior debris, tapping and turning the burner to help detach debris. Is your furnace firing up but not blowing heat as hard as normal? Turning off power to the furnace and removing the access panel. It is a safety device that ensures a flame is available for combustion. But before calling the furnace company and incurring a substantial service call charge, it makes sense to check out three very common problems that are often easy to remedy yourself: power supply interruptions, thermostat malfunctions, and problems with the condensate drain system. Check these four items for a possible correction: A Clogged Air Filter To avoid all the discomfort … Component Failure – A clogged furnace filter can cause severe damage to your heating system’s internal parts, resulting in a furnace failure. If your furnace is equipped with an electric condensate pump, you may have heard its faint buzzing—a sound similar to that produced by the pump for an aquarium or decorative water fountain. … What can cause a furnace to stop working? The furnace’s flame sensor works with the pilot light and ignition to start burning fuel. Find the circuit breaker that controls the furnace, and check to see if it has tripped to the OFF position. This is an issue that is cared for during annual furnace tune ups. Faulty components and wrongly sized systems are also to blame for this problem. With a vacuum and soft brush, clean away debris from the burner’s surface. Or, it may indicate that the furnace motor is laboring for some reason. If its settings or communications have been interrupted, this is one of the reasons your furnace might not turn on. Dirt or Other Things Blocking Furnace Air Flow. Pilot … Loose wire. However, you should consider the reasons why the furnace circuit breaker tripped. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Start by checking the tube that runs from the condensate pump to the outside and make sure that it is not pinched or blocked. Sometimes, it will be powered by an auxiliary outlet next to the furnace. collect dirt and rust over time, which reduces heat output from your furnace. In many cases, simply resetting the breaker will fix the problem. Like old cars, furnaces that are getting long in the tooth tend to malfunction more often and become less energy-efficient. If you have a gas furnace, the pilot light must be on for it to work. Our NATE-certified heating technicians have also shared tips to try to troubleshoot these issues. Give the system some time to cool down and check to see if it starts back up. But if the condensate pump becomes plugged or malfunctions, the condensate water may simply spill onto the floor around the base of the furnace. What can cause a furnace to stop working? Ensure all vents in your home are open and unblocked so air freely circulates. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Then, flip the furnace's circuit breaker back to the ON position. Deane Biermeier is a contractor with 27 years experience in home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. Read on for advice on how to repair and fix future furnace problems. Furnace burners collect dirt and rust over time, which reduces heat output from your furnace. The issues range from mild and easy to solve yourself to more complicated where you need the help of a professional. Although some of these problems can also be caused by furnace issues, the thermostat is the first place to look if you notice one of three common problems: Your furnace stops producing heat. So, if you turn the switch back on and it drops again almost immediately, you may want to replace the breaker, tighten loose wires, or replace a defective furnace … We quickly dispatch our NATE-certified technicians to diagnose and fix your furnace issues and restore heating performance in your Atlanta home. Unpleasant odor when your furnace operates. Set the thermostat to a high temperature setting, and observe the furnaces's behavior. Or, a bad capacitator or other component, or an electrical short inside the furnace's wiring, can cause the circuit breaker to trip. If so, it means the automatic switch on the pump isn't working correctly—manually flip the switch back and forth a few times to loosen it. Make sure the switch is in the ON position before calling the furnace repair service. If so, turn off the circuit breaker (or breakers) controlling the furnace before examining the pump. Circuit Breaker Flipped. Inspecting the igniter for visible damage such as chips, cracks, warping or fraying. A clogged air filter restricts airflow through the furnace. Restore electricity and gas to the furnace. Check the air filter and replace if dirty. First, it is important to realize that a furnace which is “short-cycling,” as we call it in the business, probably means that its safety features are working … It's usually easy enough to get the pump working again—or even replace it entirely. If the switch goes bad, it can cause a furnace to stop working. Modern high-efficiency furnaces are complex pieces of machinery, and most major repairs are best left to a professional furnace technician. A furnace may stop working if the thermostat is not adjusted right or the batteries in it are weak and this causes the furnace to wear out. This leads to overheating and can cause the system to shut off because the safety switch shuts the unit down when high temperatures are reached. If the batteries go dead, the thermostat may stop working. Ultimately, this friction can cause the furnace to stop working. If it’s not working… Gas furnaces cannot operate without electricity. If all else fails, check the furnace’s gas valve to make … Malfunctions in the furnace’s control board can cause a furnace to shut down. The presence of dirt and dust in the filters will hinder the smooth flow of air and this will … Common Reasons Your Furnace Isn’t Working Thermostat Not Set to On. The limit switch monitors temperatures within the furnace for your safety. Call an HVAC technician to diagnose and solve the problem. Cracks allow combustion fumes to accumulate and lead to potentially dangerous carbon monoxide leaks in your home. A furnace that stops working can be caused by any of the following: An electric switch/breaker or gas line that has been turned off A dusty, dead, or broken thermostat A dirty … Some of the common furnace problems are listed below. If the condensate pump still does not work, it will need to be replaced entirely. Both gas and electric furnaces require electricity in order to work. Call us today to schedule service, which includes lubrication for your furnace’s motor bearings. Here are five common issues (given by furnace services providers) that can cause your furnace to stop working and what you can do about it: You have a problem with your thermostat. Removing the flame sensor and cleaning off debris with a soft cloth. Due to safety risks, it’s important to have an HVAC technician out immediately to see if a heat exchanger malfunction is an issue. Dirt, debris, furniture, rugs and other items block airflow into and through the furnace – causing overheating. Dirty furnace filters. For example, a badly clogged furnace filter can cause the motor to strain, which can potentially overload the ciruit breaker. Mentioned below are some issues which might cause the furnace to stop working: There Might Be Issues with the Thermostat – In many cases, it has been seen that there is no problem with the furnace at all.It is the thermostat, the main control center of the heating system, which causes … 3. … Without proper lubrication, friction damages these components, which will eventually shut down your furnace. We quickly dispatch our NATE-certified technicians to diagnose and fix your furnace issues and restore heating performance in your Atlanta home. He or she will quickly determine whether the damage can be fixed or if your furnace could run more efficiently and safely with a new heat exchanger altogether. Some of the things that would cause your furnace circuit breaker to trip include a weak breaker, loose wire in the breaker, or a shorted furnace component.
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