Posts Tagged ‘Furnace Repair’

Why Does My New Westminster Furnace’s Pilot Light Keep Going Off?

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

We often forget how much we rely upon the mechanical infrastructure of our homes. It usually takes some unanticipated calamity to remind us of how fortunate we really are. There is nothing like a good blizzard or hurricane to remind us of how nice it is to have amenities such as electric lights and temperature controlled houses to live in.

At times, however, it does not take a natural disaster to deprive us of a warm house. Something as simple as a temperamental pilot light can turn the heat off when it is most needed. Here are a couple of ways in which pilot lights can fail:

  • Furnaces require a vent pipe that goes up through the roof. At times, a heavy or gusty wind can blast down this pipe and snuff out the pilot light somewhat like a child blowing out the candles on a birthday cake. If this happens a lot, fitting a small secondary wind shield on the vent pipe can sometimes make the problem disappear.
  • Like all other mechanical parts, pilot lights get old. The constant flame from the pilot light burns away the metallic core of the furnace’s thermocoupling a little at a time. Over decades, this can cause the thermocoupling to fail, which in turn automatically shuts off the gas supply to the furnace. Replacing the old thermocoupling with a new one should cure this.
  • Particularly with propane furnaces, faulty gas regulators can cause the gas supply to ebb and flow. Improperly functioning regulators can freeze or cause gas supply surges that cause the pilot light to extinguish itself.

As you can see, there are a number of ways in which a pilot light can fail. A good, licensed mechanical contractor can quickly assess the situation and perform the necessary repairs at a minimal cost while ensuring the safety of the family in the home. Yet the best solution for an aging furnace with a balky pilot light is to look into the convenience and cost savings of a brand new energy-efficient furnace.

Not only do new furnaces provide much more heat while using much less gas, they also eliminate the pilot light completely. The beauty of the new design is that you do not have to keep your pilot light burning expensive natural gas or propane all summer long just in case it gets cold at night. The new systems are always ready to go but never burn an ounce of gas until they switch on. They are much safer, are better for the environment, and pay for themselves with the savings in utility costs.

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Furnace Safety in New Westminster

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

There are many advantages to a properly operating furnace, and the most important ones are the safety and comfort of your New Westminster home’s occupants. There are several things you can do to ensure the safe operation of your furnace.

Here is a checklist of ideas:

  • Clean or change furnace filters on a regular basis. Replace disposable filters and clean permanent filters using water or cleaning solutions. Your owner’s manual or a qualified heating contractor can suggest a regular maintenance schedule.
  • Check the exhaust vent from the furnace. Clear obstructions such as leaves, clothing, or animal nests from the vent pipe or chimney. Keep roof exhaust vents clear of snow. If there is a faulty exhaust system (like a blocked flue), of if there are cracks and leaks in the pipes or improper adjustment of the burner, or if there is lower air pressure indoors than outside, the furnace can create serious indoor air pollution.
  • A clear air intake is important too, since furnaces need fresh air to “breathe” and complete the fuel burning cycle. Again, check for debris, snow, or animal nests in intake pipes.
  • If you have an older gas furnace, you may want to install a supplementary induced-draft fan that reduces the possibility of backdrafting. Some furnaces have automatic shutoff devices that turn off the furnace if it begins to backdraft.
  • Check internal components such as the blower motor and vacuum any dirt. Check belts and pulleys for excessive wear. You should consult your owner’s manual for any suggested maintenance tips on internal working components.
  • You may also want to check the pilot light to see if it is working and if it producing an even, blue flame. If the flame is uneven, it may be a sign of incomplete gas combustion, which can result in the creation of dangerous carbon monoxide gas.
  • Ensure that your thermostat is operating correctly by raising or lowering the temperature settings to make sure the furnace cycles on and off.
  • Install and maintain battery or hard-wired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Externally vented natural gas furnaces, when properly designed and installed, will operate safely for years. But if you detect a problem, use the most common solution – contact a qualified heating professional to check out your furnace.

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A Vancouver Contractor Guide: How to Fix a Faulty Furnace Blower

Monday, December 12th, 2011

The blower fan on your furnace is designed to distribute warm air through the ductwork in your Vancouver home evenly, ensuring you use all of the energy consumed by your furnace. If the blower doesn’t turn on when the furnace turns on or it continues to run when the furnace is off, it can cost you money and result in cold rooms. Here are some tips on how to fix a faulty furnace blower.

What is the Problem?

First, check to see what the problem is. If your furnace blower remains on all of the time, it may be a thermostat issue. Make sure the fan isn’t set to stay on continuously (a common setting for most air handlers). You should also check the limit control switch to make sure it is working properly. If this is broken, it needs to be replaced which is a relatively simple fix.

If the furnace blower isn’t turning on at all, you may have a belt problem. This can be fixed by you if you have the proper tools. To repair the belt problem, first turn off all electricity to the device. You’ll need to remove the old furnace blower belt, so release the tension in the pulleys before removing the belt.

Installing a new belt is not unlike doing so for your car. Make sure to check the blower or your user manual for proper tension when you install the new belt. Make sure you purchase the right size belt and set it to the right tension. If you cannot or you do not feel comfortable doing so, you should call a professional to inspect and repair the problem for you.

Getting the Blower Back Up and Running

Once your new belt is in place, test the system carefully, starting with the lowest setting (if there are variable settings). If it does not yet work or if something sounds strange, call a technician right away. You don’t want the motor to burn out or something else more substantial to go wrong with your furnace or air handler during the middle of the winter.

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Warning Signs of a Broken Furnace: A Tip from New Westminster

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

Regular maintenance and evaluation of the condition of a home’s furnace is essential to discovering problems before they affect the ability to safely and efficiently heat your home. There are certain noticeable signs homeowners can recognize that indicate a problem with the furnace and its capacity to properly function. These indications include changes in air quality or humidity, lack of consistent heating, frequent small repairs or a flickering flame on the equipment. Given that a faulty furnace in need of repair or replacement has the potential to distribute carbon monoxide gas throughout the home, it is imperative for the health and well-being of all residents to minimize the risk of poisoning.

Replacing the air filter on a furnace should be performed annually prior to a cold weather season. Clearing all indoor and outdoor obstructions ensures that heat can flow and evenly distribute throughout the home. If proper preparations are done for the heating season and warning signs are still evident it may be time to replace the furnace.

An efficient heating system will conserve energy, reach and regulate desired temperature levels and operate with minimal noise. The majority of furnaces on the market are expected to last approximately 16-20 years. Homeowners need to be aware of the age of their furnace in order to plan for its replacement before it breaks in the middle of winter. Monitoring electric or gas bills also provides an important warning sign as the amount of time required for a furnace to heat increases as it ages and becomes less efficient.

Older furnaces begin to rattle or bang as they need to be replaced and the blower may cycle on and off frequently. The burner flame of a working furnace is blue and if a flickering or yellow flame is noted the cause may be an excessive amount of carbon monoxide leaking, a situation that can cause dangerous circumstances for the health of those living in the home. When one or multiple warning signs are present it is time to research replacements currently available on the market to continue living comfortably during the winter months. Although a furnace is a costly investment, the energy savings and elimination of repair fees helps homeowners save on heating expenses in the future.

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Furnace Fan Doesn’t Run? Why Is That? What Should You Do? A Guide from Silverdale

Monday, October 17th, 2011

There are several reasons that a furnace fan might stop working at one point or another. While many of these do require Silverdale professional‘s attention, there are probably some things you can check on your own before you go and call in the pros. After all, if you can address the problem on your own, it will at least save you from having to pay a technician to come out.

The first thing to check when your furnace is running but the fan isn’t turning is whether or not the fan is actually switched on. Certain models of furnaces have a separate switch to turn the fan on and off. While there is probably no reason that you would want to turn off the fan by itself, it’s worth taking a look just in case. If that really is the problem, you’ll be up and running and back to dealing with better things in no time.

If that’s not the problem, you might try looking to see if any wires leading to the fan are loose or the fuse is blown. If the fan has no power, of course, it won’t be able to work but the rest of the furnace likely would work just fine as long as it doesn’t run on electricity as well.

Of course, the problem very well may be beyond your power to solve on your own. Don’t despair though. Even though you need to call in a professional, that doesn’t mean that the problem will be expensive to fix. In fact, it may be as simple as replacing your thermostat or the motor for the fan itself.

Just because a fan isn’t working doesn’t mean that you’re going to be paying an arm and a leg to have work done on your furnace. If you can’t easily discover the problem on your own, however, or if you’re not comfortable inspecting this type of equipment at all, you’re generally better off just calling in an expert and letting them do the dirty work for you. Paying for simple furnace fan repairs is definitely preferable to having to pay someone to fix the fan and the stuff you broke yourself while trying to fix the fan on your own.

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How Often Should I Change My Furnace Filter?

Friday, October 7th, 2011

Most experts recommend changing furnace filters between once a month and every three to six months. Several factors will determine how often consumers need to change their furnace filters. Since households are different, changing the furnace filter will vary depending on lifestyle choices. For example, large families with several cats and dogs or those with a smokers may need to change their filters more regularly than two-person households with no pets. If someone in the house has allergies or respiratory conditions such as asthma, it may be necessary to change the filters more frequently. However, the type of filter- fiberglass or high-efficiency – is the most important factor to consider when determining how often it should be changed.

Fiberglass filters

Traditionally, experts have recommended changing furnace filters at least once a month. Traditional filters are made from fiberglass. These filters are porous and built to block large particles that could cause damage to the furnace. They are not manufactured to block smaller particles that could irritate a person’s respiratory system.

Although experts recommend changing traditional filters monthly, fortunately, if consumers forget to change them every month, in most cases, the heating system will continue to function properly. The dirt trapped on the fiberglass fibers actually increases the filter’s ability to prevent small particles from entering the furnace.

High efficiency filters

Recently manufacturers have begun marketing high-efficiency filters. These filters are pleated in a zigzag pattern and they have built in electrostatic charges. According to laboratory tests, these filters remove up to 90 percent of pet dander and mold spores. Also, the electrostatic charge magnetizes micro-particles. Particles from viruses, bacteria, soot, and smoke position themselves in the lungs and cause respiratory and other health problems. Manufactures suggest changing high-efficiency filters every three to six months.

Unlike traditional filters, if high-efficiency filters are not changed, it may become costly. The filters become clogged and air flow is restricted. Once this occurs the furnace cannot properly circulate air. As a result, the blower has to work harder and run longer to heat the home. This may cause an increase in gas or electric bills. And eventually damage the furnace.

To prevent furnace damage and respiratory complications, consumers should change their filters according to the manufacturer’s specifications, regardless of the type of filter they have.

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