Furnace troubleshooting - Articles - Page 2

Check Furnace Heating Output in Four Steps

Tips for figuring out common causes when furnaces don’t maintain comfort

David Richardson

November 27, 2020

Let’s explore how to check furnace heating output in four steps and see what clues it provides.

Troubleshooting Puzzle: A Furnace with a Flashing Fault Code

Jim Johnson

January 6, 2020

In this troubleshooting situation we find ourselves dealing with a gas furnace, and the customer has said that “there is no heat at all.”

Troubleshooting Puzzle: An Uncomfortable Bedroom

Jim Johnson

November 11, 2019

Several attempts have been made to solve the problem of one bedroom that is always too cool during the heating season.

Re-evaluating the Temperature Rise in an Uncomfortable Bedroom

Jim Johnson

January 8, 2018

This troubleshooting situation has a history. In the six years that the up-flow gas furnace in this three bedroom house has been in service, several attempts have been made to solve the problem of one bedroom that, according to the customer, is always too cool during the heating season. This residence is a brick home on a slab, and the air handling system, which located in the crawl space above the ceiling, is shown in Figure One.

Troubleshooting Challenge: A ‘No Heat’ Complaint

Jim Johnson

November 7, 2016

In this troubleshooting situation, the equipment that needs servicing is a condensing gas furnace in a relatively small home of approximately 1,200 square feet. The capacity of the unit is 40,000 Btu and it is equipped with an LED readout system.

a typical condensing furnace vent termination

Btu Buddy 162: A Furnace That Won’t Vent

Bill Johnson

September 19, 2016

Bob and Tim were at a customer’s house doing a seasonal checkup on a condensing gas furnace. This was routine service carried out every year on this customer’s equipment per a service agreement. But when they tried to operate the furnace, the burner would not light.

Troubleshooting Challenge: A Four-Year-Old Gas Furnace That’s Not Working

Jim Johnson

September 5, 2016

In this month’s troubleshooting situation, you’re responding to a customer’s complaint that his furnace isn’t heating properly. The equipment is an 80 percent AFUE, natural gas, induced draft unit that employs a hot surface ignition system.

This shows a technician filling the oil filter cavity after changing the filter cartridge.

Btu Buddy 154: Frozen Oil Line on Oil Furnace

Bill Johnson

January 18, 2016

It was the first really cold day of the winter and Bob and Tim were on the way to a service call on an oil burner. The customer said that they had no heat. It was about 15°F outside so they were in a rush to get there.

Diagnosing and Solving Blower Motor Problems

Blower motor troubleshooting tips from the trenches

Jen Anesi

December 7, 2015

Blower motor breakdown can be the result of anything from old age to failed bearings, high amp draw, electrical failure in the windings, dirt accumulation, and more. Knowing how to troubleshoot and diagnose problems with these motors is an essential skill an HVAC technician must possess.

Btu Buddy 151: Gas Furnace Service Call

Bill Johnson

October 19, 2015

Bob and Tim were on their first service call of the winter season. A customer wanted them to perform service on their furnace to make sure that the unit was in good working order for the winter.