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When it is cold outside, you rely on your oil or gas furnace to keep your loved ones comfortable. But what if you turn the furnace on? It stays on for a little while and then shuts off immediately? Is it frustrating? This is what creates real trouble. And to be honest, we have seen similar issues commonly in Pennsylvania and the surrounding boroughs. This is why we think awareness is essential, so the respected homeowners and the business facility managers truly know what is causing their furnace burners to stop working.
This blog is designed to cover the common causes that make a normal furnace burner stop working and how you can restore normal performance. The guide is compiled under the guidance of certified Lehigh HVAC technicians, well-known for their expert heating services in Pennsylvania.
A furnace burner works much like a stove burner. As the gas is ignited, the burner heats the corresponding heat exchanger to warm air received through the return vents and registers. The heat exchanger plays its role, warms the air, and sends it back to the zones where it is needed. This is the core function of the furnace burner.
The following are four primary causes that can turn a functional burner into a faulty one.
Clogged air filters are the foundation of countless HVAC issues. They are involved with almost every component. This happens because almost every component works correctly only after proper airflow is maintained. When filters are clogged, airflow is obstructed, heat exchangers overheat, and the limit switch detects this overheating. As a result, this safety switch sends signals to the control board and forces it to shut off the furnace.
To make sure you stay away from this and countless other HVAC issues, inspect your furnace filters every 4 weeks and replace them every 30 to 90 days, depending on furnace workload and the extent of particles in the air.
If the burners are themselves faulty, they fail to maintain the normal ignition process. Soot and buildup in the burners, corrosion, or just being outdated or extensively damaged due to wear and tear are some issues that restrict burners from transferring heat from the ignition chamber to the heat exchanger. The result is that the furnace stops, and your loved ones or office staff are left in the cold.
To fix it, inspect the burners and replace or repair them depending on what is needed. Remember, treating furnace burners requires professional expertise and a meticulous approach. That's why hiring a professional is recommended.
A flame sensor acts as a safety switch in a furnace. It ensures the gas valve remains open only when the flame is present. This mechanism prevents fuel assembly in the combustion chamber while the flame is absent. If the flame is itself malfunctioning, it can close the gas valve prematurely and shut off the complete heating system.
To fix this issue, you need a professional inspection and correction service for your furnace and, preferably, the flame sensor. Remember, a DIY fix for this critical component is not usually safe, so hiring a professional is highly recommended.
A control board is the brain of the entire heating system. It receives input from the thermostat and dictates the relevant components to resume or start the heating process. If the control board has some errors, electrical malfunctions, or does not receive a sufficient power supply, it fails to direct heating components to generate and distribute heat in the areas where it is required.
This is a much more complex problem. Contact a certified and authorized HVAC contractor to completely inspect the control board and figure out the primary cause, fix it, and restore the normal operation of the heating appliance.
When winter is getting colder by the passing day, you can’t wait for the next day for furnace repairs. That’s where same-day, trustworthy furnace repair service by Lehigh HVAC comes in. We come quickly, check why your burner is not working, and repair it fast. From the first screw opening to final testing, we ensure your furnace gets the expert care it deserves. Contact us at 484-961-7044 for appointments.
