How to Repair a Gas Furnace

Should I Replace a Gas Furnace, Or Repair It?

A forced-air gas furnace is an incredibly efficient appliance that accomplishes the following: Takes warm outside air and filters it. Warm air is then blown through a heating system using a fan. The blower generates air through a combustion chamber. The heated air is then sent through the ductwork into your home. This is how to repair a gas furnace.

One way that a gas furnace can start or stop working is by having a faulty ignition switch. A good set of ignitions should have a red indication light (usually bright red) when the switch is engaged or released. This is the time to check the pilot light and make sure it is functioning properly. Sometimes a defective ignition switch will simply be defective; other times there may be other, more serious issues with the unit.

You will notice some noises when the furnace is running that could be related to a dirty filter. However, not all repairs can be performed without the use of a trained technician. If the sounds are too loud, especially when you turn the heat on and off, it could be time to have the dirty filter replaced. Sometimes when the dirt gets so ingrained it can’t be cleaned out, it must be replaced.

You may also notice a white fog on the front of your furnace. This is debris from the filter getting caught inside and slowing down the air flow. It’s very important to not let this debris get any larger; it may seem like it’s affecting the heat from the furnace, but it’s doing just the opposite. This debris can block the air flow completely and make your heating bill increase.

Check the gas line for leaks or damage. You should also inspect the gas cap at the top of the furnace for signs of damage or age. If your furnace uses propane to operate, make sure the tank is properly attached and properly vented. Leaks under the gas cap could cause a gas leak and is dangerous.

Have your furnace serviced periodically. Your furnace may need to be adjusted in order to produce heat efficiently. It’s a good idea to check your electric pilot light as well. There are parts that can wear out and break as time passes, which will require you to replace them. A weak gas filter or clogged air filter can actually shut off the blower, requiring the furnace to work overtime to produce heat.

Once you’ve checked everything over and made sure everything is operating properly, you’re ready to purchase a new furnace. You should always shop around before purchasing a furnace because prices on new furnaces are changing all the time. Prices on gas furnaces have been relatively consistent over the past few years, but there is still some variation in price. So do your homework and make sure the company you choose has a good reputation for servicing their furnaces and have one of the least amount of repairs performed on them per year.

Gas furnaces are great for providing heat during the cold months, but they do have a tendency to produce soot and black grime if they aren’t maintained properly. Make sure your furnace is cleaned at least once a year by a certified furnace technician. You should also check your gas tank and the blower on a regular basis to make sure they aren’t leaking. While you may think the soot coming out of your chimney is bad, it’s probably not, so you want to make sure your furnace is working right.

When it comes time to replace your furnace, it’s time to consider the quality of the units you are buying as well as how long they’ve been in service. There’s no point in paying several hundred dollars more for a high-performance unit that will break down in less than a couple of years. Buying a more cost effective natural gas furnace will save you money, but you have to be careful when shopping for one. The cheapest models don’t always offer the best quality. It’s important that you spend some time researching the brand, model, and options available.

One of the most common problems with furnaces is the thermostat stopping production at very low temperatures. This typically means you can’t operate the machine at those temperatures and the problem needs to be fixed before the unit starts malfunctioning. Some of these problems can be very simple fixes, such as replacing a worn-out limit control switch. If you suspect the problem is something more complex, like the limit switch failing, you should consult an experienced HVAC repair technician or the proper heating and cooling association to find out more about diagnosing and replacing faulty limit switches. Limit switches are made by almost every major HVAC manufacturer and can be expensive to replace.

An HVAC repair technician or Portland furnace repair tech will probably replace the furnace’s main heating, and cooling system as well as the circuit breaker if necessary. He will probably also perform a visual inspection of the furnace. A qualified technician will be able to determine if a fuse has blown or if the flue gas is contaminated. Sometimes it’s possible to fix an issue with your furnace by simply replacing the faulty part.