For a gas furnace to work, the burner needs to ignite to create the combustion gas that transfers heat to air. If the burner won’t ignite, the furnace will not generate heat, and you’ll only receive room-temperature air from your vents.
A furnace can fail to light for different reasons; we’ll look at a few of the more common. In most cases of furnace burner failure, you should never attempt to solve the problem on your own. It is dangerous to tamper with any system connected to a gas line without proper training because of the risk of toxic gas exposure and explosions. Instead, shut off the gas to the furnace and call heating professionals. Cowboys Air Conditioning & Heating can handle your furnace repair and maintenance in Fair Oaks, TX. Our technicians are available 24/7.
3 Culprits Behind a Furnace Failing to Ignite
- Blown fuse/tripped circuit breaker: Modern gas furnaces do not run entirely on natural gas. Electronic ignition systems have started to replace standing pilot lights, which has resulted in more efficient furnaces. But this also means that if the furnace trips a circuit breaker, the electronic ignition will not turn on to ignite the burner. Check your circuit panel or fuse box to see if this is the case. Reset the breaker or replace the fuse and try to start the furnace again.
- Gas valve or gas line trouble: The issue with the furnace’s failure to ignite may lie in the gas line itself: the burner is not receiving enough fuel to start up. This might be trouble in the gas valve (a safety mechanism may have closed it, or it’s stuck) or an issue deeper down in your gas supply line. Whatever the cause, it’s work for a skilled technician only.
- Dirty or rusty burner: One of the reasons that it’s important to keep the filter of your furnace clean with regular replacements is to prevent dirt from getting into the cabinet and along the burner. A layer of grime will block the oxygen necessary to allow the burner to ignite. Rust flakes inside the burner will also cause this. You should not attempt to clean the burner yourself; it needs to have a professional remove the unit and clean it.
Sign Up for Regular Maintenance for Your Furnace
You can avoid most troubles with furnace ignition with a preventive maintenance program. An annual visit from a heating technician will make sure that the burner, the pilot, and the igniter are clean and in good shape. The technician will also check that your furnace is running without safety issues.
Cowboys Air Conditioning & Heating has an excellent preventive maintenance agreement that will keep your heating and cooling tuned up with two maintenance visits per year. You’ll receive other benefits as well. Give us a call today to find out more, or if you need a heating repair service in Fair Oaks, TX.
