Fall is here, and winter is just around the corner, which means it’s time to get your home ready for the colder months ahead. One critical task to remember is to check to see if your furnace is in working order. If you find it is not igniting, there may be a few reasons why. Assuming that your appliance is maintained, it is likely a simple fix that does not require the help from a heating and cooling technician. We’ve highlighted a few common issues when igniting a furnace and how to fix them.
Make Sure Your Thermostat is in Working Order
When you turn on your thermostat and adjust it to a higher setting, several things will occur that make your furnace ignite. For one, you will hear the system’s fan, which brings air in to initiate the burning process. Then you will overhear the gas ignite, which is then followed by hot air flowing out of the vents in your home.
How to tell if something is wrong: If you don’t hear any sound coming from your furnace. Luckily, one of the easiest ways you can fix this is by replacing your thermostat control box with a new one. You can buy one from a local HVAC supplier. Follow the installation instructions that come with the new thermostat.
Check Your Gas Line Supply
If your furnace is not igniting, it might be due to poor gas supply.
For liquid propane users: Examine your gas tank’s pressure gauge. If it’s below 25, then you should call your gas company to fill your tank.
For city gas line users: You will need to hire a trained HVAC technician to check if the gas is going to your heater. But, if you smell gas when you turn on your furnace, your gas supply is likely not the issue.
Examine Your Air Filters
A furnace burns a mixture of air and natural gas or liquid propane gas. After years of daily usage, the appliance’s air filters can get clogged. It\’s important for homeowners to routinely check and change their air filters to ensure that hot air is easily able to flow through the filter and into the vents.
A Faulty Ignition Sensor
One of the most common sources for ignition problems is the Pilot Light. The pilot light is the component that ignites the burners in gas furnaces that then flow through the air vents. Luckily, if you are having issues with the sensor, it is a relatively easy fix.
Before you begin, you must turn off the gas and then remove the front panel to find the pilot light. Carefully remove the sensor with a screwdriver and clean any dirt. Once cleaned and removed, place the pilot light back inside the panel and turn everything back on. Turn up the temperature on your thermostat to see if the furnace will fire up.
When To Call an HVAC Technician
If you’ve tried these solutions and are still experiencing issues with igniting your furnace it may be time to call a professional. B&D Industries’ expert technicians are qualified to evaluate, perform, and maintain residential heating and cooling needs. Contact us today or schedule an appointment online.
