When do you need gas furnace repair?
Homeowners often find themselves dealing with far cooler weather than they might expect. And with that in mind, when a homeowner neglects routine maintenance on their furnace, they often find themselves in need of gas furnace repair services.
This is why it’s important to get a routine inspection and checkup on your furnace sooner rather than later. Waking up in the middle of the night when a northern comes through isn’t going to be comfortable! If a gas furnace repair is needed, the technician can do it while they are there, and if you find yourself in need of gas furnace repair in Vacaville, CA you can get help from one of our certified professionals. To get things started, give us a call at 707-689-5128, or read on for some answers to common questions.
How many years should a gas furnace last?
A quality brand gas furnace that is professionally installed and has the recommended routine maintenance performed each month by the homeowner can have a lifespan of up to 20 years. This also includes having a professional inspection and cleaning at a minimum of every two years and gas furnace repairs completed whenever they’re needed.
What are the most common problems with gas furnaces?
Conventional gas furnaces are fairly simple in design, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have occasional problems. Here are seven common problems that typically require gas furnace repair:
- Not heating or insufficiently heating
- Cycling on and off
- Blower constantly running
- Noisy while operating
- The pilot light has gone out and won’t light
- The electronic ignition not working
- The thermostat is malfunctioning or there is a mismatch in the furnace
What is a common furnace failure?
What gas furnace repair technicians find once they get on the job site can be a complex issue, or it may be a simple fix. Often, more often than you may think, the air filter has not been changed or cleaned. This should be done regularly, every 30 days is recommended, whether you think it needs it or not. Other components that commonly are the cause of needing gas furnace repair include:
1. DIRTY FLAME SENSOR: This is an important safety feature that shuts the furnace off to avoid catching your home on fire. Review your owner’s manual for on tips how to clean this sensor or have your gas repair technician show you.
2. THE IGNITER: This component will simply wear out during normal use because it is exposed to constant contracting and expansion. This component can be damaged during power surges too. It should be repaired or replaced by a professional gas furnace repair technician.
3. THE INDUCER MOTOR: This component pulls air through the combustion area and pushes it through the heat exchanger and then out the exhaust pipe. It is the first thing that gets activated when the furnace turns on and is essential in a gas furnace’s overall functioning an of your furnace. One of its main duties is to make sure there is a clear pathway within the gas furnace system that can ensure adequate airflow.
4. THE BLOWER MOTOR: This component is what forces air throughout your home and many things can wrong with it, including:
- The capacitor
- The motor itself
- Bearings
- Electrical components
The capacitor is a pretty common part that gas furnace repair technicians have to replace because it is subjected to the wear and tear of the motor. If the motor gets dirty, it can cause the fan to get off-balance, which leads to odd noises and sounds, and wear the bearings, which wear the furnace out, shortening the lifespan. This is why annual inspection and cleaning are recommended by any professional gas furnace repair technician.
5. CIRCUIT BOARD
The circuit board is the brain of a gas furnace, working like a computer, telling the furnace when to operate or shut off. If you’re wondering, “Why is my gas furnace running but not heating?”, there is a list of problems that can affect the functionality of this component, such as electrical surges and voltages, and even a dirty circuit board can cause you to call for emergency gas furnace repair service. An annual inspection and cleaning will avoid those emergency trips.
What is usually the first thing that fails on a gas furnace?
It is the simplest of things and can be prevented by the homeowner: A dirty air filter! Yes, that recommendation to change or clean your air filter every 30 days, whether or not you’re using your HVAC system, is an absolute must! This will help your system run better, and more efficiently, and extend its lifespan. And best of all, avoid those expensive gas furnace repair service calls!
How do you diagnose a furnace problem?
If your gas furnace isn’t working properly before you make that gas furnace repair service call. What should you check when the furnace stops working? Start with these six things:
- Inspect the thermostat and make sure it is set to “HEAT” and “AUTO”.
- Change or clean the air filter.
- Make sure the furnace is on at the unit itself.
- Check the circuit breaker is on, flip back if it’s not.
- Make sure none of the vents are blocked or closed throughout the house.
- Confirm the furnace panel door is securely closed.
If these six things check out okay, or the circuit breaker keeps flipping off, it is time to call for a professional gas furnace repair service.
In Closing
While your gas furnace is important to keep your home warm, you should keep it well-maintained for safety as well. Here’s one common question homeowners have – can a broken furnace start a fire? Yes! A gas furnace may have gas line leaks that make it a fire hazard, but other issues can cause the furnace to start a fire too, such as broken or malfunctioning parts, along with the build-up of dirt and dust. Keep an annual maintenance contract that includes cleaning and inspection by a professional gas furnace repair company that will ensure a longer-lasting gas furnace that operates safely.
If you’ve found yourself in need of assistance with tasks such as gas furnace repair, you can always reach out to us. Just give us a call at 707-689-5128 today to get things started.
