Are you tired of dealing with your furnace? Does it seem like every time you turn around, you’re having a problem? Well, we’re here to give you some tips on how to keep your home warm during the winter.
Furnaces can be tricky to work with sometimes. They break down when they’re not being maintained regularly, and they don’t always come with easy-to-follow instructions on how to fix them.
That’s why we’ve written this article! We’ll walk you through some common reasons people have with their furnaces and show you how to fix it by yourself without having to call a professional furnace repair Calgary expert.
How Does Your Furnace Work?
When you think about it, the furnace is the unsung hero of your home. It’s a hard-working machine that keeps you warm and safe all winter long. But how does it work? If you don’t know how your furnace works, then this section is for you. Let’s find out!
- The thermostat detects the need for heat: When the temperature in your home drops below the desired level, the thermostat sends a signal to the furnace to start heating.
- The combustion process begins: The fuel is ignited in the furnace’s burner, creating a flame.
- A heat exchanger transfers heat: The heat produced by the burner is transferred to the heat exchanger, a metal component inside the furnace.
- Air circulation: The furnace’s blower motor starts running, pulling air from the return ducts. The air passes over the heat exchanger, absorbing heat.
- Air distribution: The heated air is then distributed through the supply ducts to different rooms in your home.
- Combustion byproducts exit: The combustion process produces byproducts, including carbon dioxide and water vapor. These byproducts are vented safely outside through a flue or chimney.
- Thermostat senses desired temperature reached: Once the thermostat detects the desired temperature has been reached, it sends a signal to the furnace to stop heating.
9 Reasons Furnace Heater Not Working
If you’ve got a furnace, you’re probably familiar with the common problems that can come up. Maybe it’s not heating your home as much as you’d like or making some weird noises. Maybe there’s something wrong with the thermostat, or maybe one of the doors isn’t closing properly.
Whatever the problem is, we’re here to help! We’re going to go over some of the most common issues that cause a furnace to stop working. Here are some common reasons that a furnace won’t turn on:
- Thermostat settings
The thermostat is the brain of your furnace. It’s what tells your furnace when to turn on and off, how much heat to put out, and how often. The settings on your thermostat may be set too low or high for the current temperature outside. Adjusting the setting up or down can help increase energy efficiency. If you don’t know where to start, contact ClearView Services’ team to help you decide which setting is right for your home.
- Power supply
Another reason it might not work could be due to power supply issues. You may need new wiring or other electrical components installed before your system will work again. It might also mean that one of your appliances is sucking up all of the power from your home and affecting other appliances, such as heating systems. In some cases, this can lead to short circuits and fires, so it’s important that you take care of these issues quickly.
- Pilot light or furnace ignitor problems
If your pilot furnace not lighting or your ignition doesn’t spark, check the gas valve for obstructions. If necessary, replace it with a new one from a hardware store.
- Fuel supply
If your furnace is still not working after trying all the above steps, check the fuel line for leaks or obstructions. Replace if necessary!
- Blocked vents
Your air ducts may be blocked with snow or ice, which can keep your furnace from heating your home properly. Remove any blockages and let everything thaw out before trying again!
- Dirty or clogged filters
Your furnace needs a way to pull air through itself, which is where those filters come in. If they’re dirty or clogged up with dust and grime, they can’t do their job, and your furnace won’t be able to get the air it needs to work properly. This is by far the most common reason for a broken furnace.
- Malfunctioning blower motor
If your furnace won’t turn on at all or turns on intermittently, a malfunctioning blower motor could be the issue (and we’ve got tips and tricks for fixing these bad boys).
- Faulty thermocouple or flame sensor
Another thing you should check when your furnace heat not working in-house is the flame sensor. If it’s broken or malfunctioning, your furnace won’t run. Check the temperature of the thermocouple with a thermometer. If it’s too high or too low, replace it immediately.
- Check the furnace switch
The next step is to check your furnace switch. If it’s on “off” or “standby,” your system won’t work properly—even if all other parts have been checked and replaced properly.
9 Troubleshooting Tips For A Furnace Not Turning On
Your furnace is not turning on. This can be a frustrating problem. You want to stay warm and cozy in your home, but without the furnace, you’ll have to spend more money on heaters and fireplaces. If this happens to you, don’t worry! We’ve got some tips for troubleshooting the problem:
Tip #1: Check the circuit breaker
If your furnace is still not turning on, it must be the circuit breaker is tripped. Turn off the circuit breaker and wait for five minutes before turning it back on.
Tip #2: Check your thermostat
If your furnace still isn’t turning on, then it can be that your thermostat needs to be reset. To do this, unplug it from its power source for a few seconds and then plug it back in. This should reset it and get things going again. If this doesn’t work, you may need to replace your thermostat altogether or have a technician come out and inspect things for you!
Tip #3: Look at your filter
Your furnace filter might be clogged up with dust bunnies or other debris—this can cause problems when your furnace tries to turn on because there will not be enough oxygen coming through the system to generate heat! So clean out that filter first before doing anything else!
Tip #4: Power supply
Check the power supply. Make sure that you have the right voltage and frequency for your home. If it’s too high or low, the thermostat will not function properly.
Tip #5: Check the furnace switch
If your furnace is gas-powered, check to make sure there’s enough fuel in the tank. If it’s electric, make sure there’s power going to it. If none of this works, you may need to call a professional.
Tip #6: Reset the furnace
If your furnace has been on for a while and suddenly stops working, try turning it off and then back on again. If that doesn’t work, unplug the unit for about 30 seconds before restarting it. This will reset any internal components that may be faulty.
Tip #7: Inspect the condensate drain
If water is leaking from your condensate drain, this could be why your furnace is not working properly. If there is no water in the drain, check for kinked or broken pipes under your unit or around where it sits outside; these can cause problems if water cannot drain properly away from them!
Tip #8: Thermostat wiring
Check the wiring between your thermostat and furnace for loose connections or damaged wires. If necessary, replace any damaged wiring with new wire or repair kits available at hardware stores or home improvement stores.
Tip #9: Hire Professional Furnace Repair Technician
If none of these solutions work for you, hire a professional furnace repair technician in Calgary to diagnose and fix the problem.
Signs It’s Time For Furnace Repair Calgary
The furnace is one of the most important parts of your home. It keeps you warm and cozy during those cold winter months and provides a safe environment to keep your family safe.
But sometimes, things go wrong with it, and when they do, it’s important to know what indications to look out for so you can take action before the problem gets worse. Here are some common signs that it’s time for furnace repair:
- Insufficient or Uneven Heating
If you’re not getting the heat you need, or if the temperature in your house is uneven (too hot in some rooms and cold in others), that could be a sign that your furnace is on its last legs.
- Strange or Loud Noises
Your furnace should be making some noise—that’s how they keep things running smoothly! But if there are strange sounds coming from your unit, or if it makes loud clanking noises when no one else is home, it might be time for repair work.
- Frequent cycling on and off
If your furnace is cycling on and off frequently, it can indicate something is wrong with the blower motor or wheel assembly. This is a common problem for furnaces that are 10 years old or older, so it’s essential to get it repaired as soon as possible to avoid further damage to other components of your HVAC system.
- Blowing warm air when you set it to cold
This is probably one of the easiest tell-tale signs that something isn’t right. If you set it to cold, but there is no chill coming from your vents, then there could be something wrong with either the blower motor or its belt system (which helps circulate air throughout the house).
- Increased energy bills
If your energy bills are going up, your furnace must be repaired. It could be something as simple as a dirty filter or as complex as a broken motor. Either way, a professional furnace repair technician in Calgary can help diagnose the issue and recommend the best solution.
- Poor air quality
If you notice that your furnace isn’t providing adequate heat or if the air in your home feels stuffy or stale, even after running for a long period, then this may be a major sign of something wrong with your unit. The best thing to do at this point is to contact an HVAC or furnace cleaning Calgary technician who can perform an inspection of your heating system.
- Persistent pilot light or ignition problems
If you’ve tried everything you can think of to get your pilot light going again, but nothing works—or if it keeps going out—it might be time to call in a professional.
- The yellow or flickering burner flame
When the flame on your furnace is yellow or flickering, it could mean that the burner is out of adjustment and required to be adjusted. This can be done by a professional technician. If you choose to do this yourself, be sure to follow all safety precautions.
- Unpleasant odors
If you notice an unpleasant odor coming from your furnace, it could be a sign that something is wrong with the heat exchanger or burner assembly. A professional technician for furnace repair Calgary should check these areas for leaks and replace any parts as needed.
- Age of the furnace
Furnaces have a lifespan of about 15 years, but they can still function for much longer than that. If your furnace is older than 15 years, it’s time to start thinking about replacement and a new furnace installation.
DIY vs. Professional Furnace Repair
This is the age-old question: Do you fix your own furnace, or do you hire a professional? It’s an important decision, and it’s one that can have lasting consequences for your home. Here’s a comparison chart outlining the differences between DIY furnace repair and professional furnace repair:
| DIY Furnace Repair | Professional Furnace Repair | |
| Skill and Knowledge | Requires moderate to advanced HVAC knowledge | Requires extensive HVAC knowledge and expertise |
| Safety | Involves potential safety risks | Professionals are trained in safety procedures |
| Cost | Can be less expensive | May incur higher costs, including service fees and parts |
| Time | May take longer due to research and troubleshooting | Professionals can diagnose and repair more efficiently |
| Tools and Equipment | Limited access to specialized tools and equipment | Professionals have access to necessary tools and equipment |
| Warranty | DIY repairs may void the manufacturer’s warranty | Professional repairs may be covered by a warranty |
| Repair Quality | Quality depends on individual skill and experience | Professionals have the expertise and can provide reliable repairs |
| Complex Issues | Limited ability to handle complex or major issues | Professionals can diagnose and repair complex problems |
| Convenience | Requires personal time and effort | Professionals handle the repair process for convenience |
While DIY furnace repair can be suitable for simple issues and individuals with HVAC knowledge, it’s essential to consider the risks involved and the limitations of personal expertise. Professional furnace repair offers several advantages, including safety, expertise, efficient diagnosis and repair, access to specialized tools, and potential warranty coverage. For complex issues or when safety is a concern, it’s recommended to seek the assistance of a qualified HVAC technician.
Call Calgary Furnace Specialists for Furnace Repair and Installation
As the leaves start to fall and the weather gets colder, you may look forward to a hot cup of cappuccino or even a long bath. But if you’re like most Calgary residents, you might also be looking forward to being turned on the heat to stay warm and most comfortable throughout the winter.
If you don’t want to spend your entire winter shivering in your drafty home, call ClearView Services today—We’re Calgary’s number-one choice for furnace repair and installation. Our certified technicians are ready to help. We offer a range of services, including:
- Furnace repair Calgary
- Furnace installation Calgary
- Furnace cleaning in Calgary
- Furnace maintenance Calgary
- Calgary emergency furnace repair
When you call ClearView Services for Furnace Not Heating Solutions in Calgary, you’ll get an expert team with over 30 years of experience fixing and installing furnaces. Our team comprises experienced and knowledgeable professionals who will work with you for furnace repair to make sure all your needs are met.
Our technicians will come out to your home and quickly diagnose any problems with your furnace before recommending a solution that makes sense for your situation. We’ll also help guide you through all of the available options so that you can decide which repair or installation is best for you.
ClearView Services also offers same-day service on all repairs and installations and 24/7 emergency services when needed. We are insured and bonded, so there’s no need to worry about liability issues while we work on your system—we’ll take care of everything.
For more information about our furnace repair services or to schedule an appointment, call us today at 587-912-1920!
