Few things are as frustrating as a furnace that refuses to turn on when it’s extremely cold outside. If your gas furnace won’t ignite for a heating cycle, you need to call our team for furnace repair in Bergen County, NJ. Aside from the discomfort of not having heat, there may be something seriously wrong with the heating system.
Allowing your heater to continue struggling to turn on for a heating cycle could add additional strain to other components. Keep reading to learn some of the top reasons your furnace struggles turning on so you’ll understand what’s happening inside of your system.
What are common reasons a furnace won’t ignite and may need repair?
- Faulty ignitor or pilot light failure
- Thermostat not signaling the furnace to start
- Tripped circuit breaker or power issue
- Closed gas valve or disrupted gas supply
- Dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor
- Clogged air filter restricting airflow
Issues With Gas Service
One of the first places to check for ignition problems is the gas source itself. You can make sure that the gas lines are turned on and active. You can also make sure that there is no obvious damage to the lines. If there is, that’s a red flag of problems that need to be addressed by our team.
It’s also possible that a blockage somewhere in the line is preventing gas from reaching your heat exchanger to release in the chamber. If you suspect that the gas service itself is to blame, our team can begin our inspection there when we visit your home for the service appointment.
Pilot Light Challenges
It’s also possible that gas is entering the chamber, but that your pilot light is not igniting the way it should. If the flame is not burning bright blue, then it is not burning efficiently. A yellow, orange, or even a faded blue flame color can mean that something is wrong with airflow. In the case of poor airflow you can try changing the furnace filter first to see if that makes a difference before giving us a call.
There may be dust or grind buildup on around the pilot light that is preventing it from burning efficiently. If you suspect that this is the case, turn your furnace off completely and allow it to cool down before you wipe down the inside of the cabinet to get rid of buildup. Then you can turn your furnace back on and see if this solution made a difference.
Flame Sensors
Your gas furnace has special safety sensors that help to ensure optimal operation is always happening. It’s possible that one of the sensors is triggering your gas furnace to remain off because of a safety concern. The safety concern may be legitimate, or it may be a malfunction on the part of the sensor itself. Learn how a boiler compares to a furnace if you’re considering alternative heating options.
Either way, our team can get down to the root cause and fix it. We can either identify the safety concern, like maybe too much gas entering the chamber, and address that concern. We can also fix the sensor if it is triggering without cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What are common reasons my gas furnace won’t ignite?
Answer: A gas furnace may fail to ignite because of issues with the gas supply, problems with the pilot light or ignition system, or sensor malfunctions. It could also stem from airflow restrictions like a dirty filter or safety switches that shut the system down.
Question: Could the gas supply be the cause of ignition failure?
Answer: Yes. If the gas valve is off, the line is blocked, or there’s visible damage to the gas supply, your furnace may not receive fuel, so it won’t ignite. This often requires professional inspection.
Question: How can a pilot light or flame issue prevent ignition?
Answer: If the furnace’s pilot light isn’t burning properly, or the flame color looks weak or unusual, the system can’t light the main burners. Dirt buildup or poor airflow may also stop the flame from working efficiently.
Question: What role does a flame sensor play in furnace ignition?
Answer: A flame sensor detects whether the gas has ignited safely. If it’s dirty or faulty, the furnace may shut off the gas before ignition, causing the unit not to light.
Question: When should I call a professional HVAC technician for my furnace?
Answer: If basic checks like filter replacement or verifying the gas supply don’t fix the ignition problem, or if you suspect sensor or gas line issues, you should contact an HVAC technician for safe diagnosis and repair.
DB Heating & Cooling, Inc serves the heating and cooling needs of customers throughout Rockland County, NY as well as Bergen County, NJ and surrounding communities. You can count on us for expert services.