Keep Warm When Temperatures Drop

During these freezing temperatures, there are a few things that could go wrong with your furnace, and often time’s technicians are so busy with repairs it can take days to get someone out to your home.

 Repair Clinic is here to help guide you to the correct solution to your furnace problem, find the correct replacement part, and give the right guidance on doing the repair yourself.

Common Maintenance during Extreme Cold Conditions

• With your furnace working overtime in this cold weather, it’s important to make sure your air filter is clean.  We recommend changing your filter every other month during harsh winter conditions, especially if you have pets or suffer from allergies.
• When it’s excessively cold outside we recommend that you not set your thermostat temperature lower when you are away from home. Your furnace will work harder to get back to the desired home temperature. Until the temperature outside reaches more normal temps for the season set your thermostat at a consistent setting throughout the day.
• Furnaces may not always be able to bring the inside temperature up to its desired setting during extreme cold weather, it can only maintain the differential between outside and inside temperature to a certain degree. Wear warmer clothing and use more blankets to stay warm inside during extreme outside temperature shifts.
• Clean and clear your vents regularly, move baskets of clothes, furniture and other obstacles slightly away from the floor or wall vents to remove any obstacles preventing proper air flow.

Following all the proper maintenance tips for your furnace may still not prevent your furnace from breaking. Here are the most common reason your furnace may not work and the parts that may need to be replaced.

• Not Heating?

The two most common parts that may need to be replaced are:

Igniter- The igniter gets very hot and glows bright orange to light the gas burner. If the igniter fails or cracks, the furnace won’t heat. To determine if the igniter is faulty, remove the igniter and inspect it for cracks. If the igniter is cracked, replace it. If the igniter is not cracked, use a multimeter to test the igniter for continuity. If the igniter does not have continuity, replace it.

Flame Sensor -The flame sensor monitors the burner to detect whether or not a flame is present. If the flame sensor is defective, it might fail to detect a flame. If the flame sensor does not detect a flame, the control board will shut off voltage to the gas valve to prevent the furnace from heating. Sometimes, if the flame sensor is dirty, it will fail to detect a flame. Try cleaning the flame sensor with a fine abrasive pad. If the furnace still doesn’t heat, replace the flame sensor.

• Furnace Noisy Or Loud?

The two most common parts that may need to be replaced are:

Blower Wheel - The blower wheel blows air out of the furnace and through the house. The blower wheel is attached to the blower motor shaft with a set screw. If the set screw is loose, the blower wheel will wobble on the motor shaft, and the wheel will be noisy as it turns. Check the set screw to ensure that it is properly tightened. Next, inspect the wheel for damage. If the blower wheel is damaged, replace it.

Blower Motor- Over time, the bearings in the blower motor wear out, causing the motor to become noisy. Some furnace motors can be lubricated—if your furnace motor can be lubricated, try lubricating it first. If lubricating the motor doesn’t solve the problem, or if your motor can’t be lubricated, replace the motor.

• Furnace Starts Then Stops?

The two most common parts that may need to be replaced are:

Flame Sensor - The flame sensor monitors the burner to detect whether or not a flame is present. If the flame sensor is defective, it might fail to detect a flame. If the flame sensor does not detect a flame, the control board will shut off voltage to the gas valve to prevent the furnace from heating. Sometimes, if the flame sensor is dirty, it will fail to detect a flame. Try cleaning the flame sensor with a fine abrasive pad. If the furnace still doesn’t heat, replace the flame sensor.

Control Board- The control board regulates the power supply to all of the components of the furnace. If the control board is defective, it might not send voltage to the ignition system, causing the furnace to shut off after a few minutes.

• Furnace Blower Not Running?

The two most common parts that may need to be replaced are:

Blower Motor- Over time, the bearings in the blower motor wear out, causing the motor to become noisy. Some furnace motors can be lubricated—if your furnace motor can be lubricated, try lubricating it first. If lubricating the motor doesn’t solve the problem, or if your motor can’t be lubricated, replace the motor.

Capacitor- If the capacitor is defective, the fan motor might be noisy, overheat, or not run at all. To determine if the capacitor has failed, inspect the capacitor. If the capacitor is bulging or leaking, replace it. The capacitor can also be checked with a meter.

• Furnace Blower Runs All The Time?

The two most common parts that may need to be replaced are:

Control Board- The control board regulates the power supply to all of the components of the furnace. If the control board is defective, it might not send voltage to the ignition system, causing the furnace to shut off after a few minutes.

Wall Thermostat- The wall thermostat has electrical contacts that control the power supply to the furnace. If the contact that controls the blower motor sticks closed, it will send continuous voltage to the blower motor, causing the motor to run continuously. To determine if the thermostat is defective, use a multi-meter to test it for continuity. If the wall thermostat shows continuity between the (R) and (G) terminals when the thermostat is in the off position the thermostat has failed and will need to be replaced.

Repair Clinic has millions of heating and cooling parts available for same-day shipping  and we offer a 365 return policy guarantee. Call 800-269-2609 if you need help placing an order today.