What Is Wrong With Your High-Efficiency Furnace?
Posted on: 3 June 2015
High-efficiency furnaces are great appliances to have in your home. They provide excellent heat to keep you comfortable in cold weather, but they don't use as much energy as other types of furnaces. While they work very well, you might be experiencing some minor problems. Here are some troubleshooting tips if your high-efficiency furnace isn't working properly.
Check the Thermostat
The first thing you should check is the thermostat. Faulty thermostats are frequently the reason for a high-efficiency furnace not turning on or not providing enough heat. They also happen to be the easiest thing to check. First check your circuit breaker to be sure a fuse isn't blown or a breaker hasn't been tripped. If the breaker looks to be slightly lower than the other breakers, then it has tripped. Push it down all the way, then back up, and try the furnace again.
After you are sure there is enough power going to the furnace, check for loose wires or an open connection. Also check to see if the battery is dead if you have a digital electronic thermostat. Finally, be sure none of the thermostat components have build-up, as this can also affect it.
Clean the furnace filter
Your high-efficiency furnace has a filter that collects debris and dander when it circulates air to prevent that debris from going through your home's vents. While this is a great feature of these furnaces, it also means the furnace filter gets clogged pretty easily. If your furnace is turning on, but the heat isn't up to par, check the furnace filter. It might be clogged and either needs to be cleaned out or replaced.
Turn the furnace switch off when you are going to open it and check the filter. Once it has cooled down, remove the filter and replace it with a new one. Keep the switch off for several minutes after you have put a new filter in. After several minutes have passed, turn the switch back on. This allows you to reset the furnace.
Inspect the Hot Surface Igniter
The furnace might also be failing due to the hot surface igniter. This is a type of electronic ignition device often used in high-efficiency furnaces. If the device is worn, cracked, or broken, that is probably why your furnace is operating as it should. You will find the hot surface igniter near the flow of gas and gas burners inside your furnace. These igniters don't typically last as long as the furnaces themselves, so it will need to be replaced when it cracks and breaks down. It is best to have a technician replace it for you.
Clear the Flue Vent Pipe
The last thing you should do is check the flue vent pipe and clear it of obstructions if necessary. The flue vent pipe works together with the air intake pipe in order to circulate air and create warmth in your home. Similar to the filter, it can get clogged with debris and build-up, which then causes your furnace to have issues. Check the pipe and look for obstructions. Leaves and dirt can easily get trapped in the vent pipe, so it should be cleaned periodically.
Contact a technician with a company like Home Comfort Systems if you need help figuring out any issues with your high-efficiency furnace.
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