Why Is My Furnace Not Igniting?

Gas furnaces are one of the most popular means of home heating. Like any appliance, your gas furnace will occasionally need repairs. A common issue with gas furnaces is a failure to ignite. If your furnace does not ignite, one of these components may be causing the issue.

Air Filters

If your air filters are especially dirty, they may be impeding airflow to and from your furnace. It will not ignite if airflow is too restricted. Try replacing your air filters and see if your furnace will ignite. Continue to replace your air filters regularly. Keeping your filters clean will improve both your indoor air quality and the performance of your heating system.

Thermostat

You've raised the thermostat temperature, but your furnace hasn't responded. In some cases, the problem isn't the furnace itself, but a faulty thermostat. If your thermostat's screen is unresponsive, or if your programmed settings are lost, the thermostat is likely to be the problem. Contact a heating repair technician to determine the cause of the issue.

Burners

If your burners are rusty or have begun to corrode, they will not ignite. A heating contractor can clean the burners for you or replace them if necessary.

Circuit Breaker

Modern gas furnaces are lit by an electric ignition system. Check the circuit breaker connected to your furnace. If the circuit breaker has been tripped, turn it off for several minutes and then try to reset it. If the furnace continues to trip the breaker, call a Blackie’s Heating and Air Conditioning HVAC technician for repairs right away.

Safety Switch

The furnace's burners will not turn on if the safety switch is open. The safety switch could be triggered by a clogged flue, a failing blower, or a dirty air filter. A repair technician can diagnose the problem and ensure that your furnace is running safely.

If your furnace isn't igniting properly, contact us to schedule heating service.

Signs You Need Furnace Repair

Before winter hits, you want to make sure your furnace is in good working condition. Faulty pilot lights, dirty air filters, and other issues can make your furnace less energy efficient and less functional for keeping your home warm.

Are you in need of furnace repair? Before you begin to rely heavily on your heating unit on for the season, use this guide to help you determine if it's time to call a furnace specialist for repairs.

You haven't had your furnace inspected

Responsible furnace care and maintenance involves having your heating appliance inspected every year before use. Some homeowners have their furnace inspected during the summer so repairs can be made in advance of winter use. If you haven't had your furnace inspected in recent months, or can't remember the last time you had your unit serviced, you may be in need of repairs.

Call your HVAC specialist to check out your furnace, even if you haven't had issues with your heating unit in the past. Small repairs done now can prevent costly replacement in the future.

Your heating bill keeps going up

Furnaces will start to use a lot of energy to keep areas warm when they start to fail. Pay attention to your energy bill; if your heating costs keep going up every year, poor air filtration, a failing motor, or even a deteriorating heating element may be to blame. Your heating specialist will make repairs to your unit by replacing dated or worn elements or may recommend replacing your appliance for a modern model.

Your heating is unreliable

Do you have to constantly check your thermostat and reset your furnace to keep your home warm? Your furnace should be able to supply you with reliable, consistent heat. Power breaker surges, declining heat, or poor heat quality in your furnace are all signs your unit is in need of repairs.

Always hire a professional furnace and heating specialist to inspect your appliance for you. Contact us today to schedule a system inspection. Home repairs are not recommended, so it’s best to invest in quality furnace repair when your unit isn't working as it should.

Optimize or Replace Your Furnace This Heating Season

Be ready for the cold weather coming soon by calling an HVAC technician to come and service or replace your furnace today. When your system is serviced, it reveals how well your furnace is running.

If your system is somewhat new, routine maintenance checks can extend its life and help you spend less money to keep the house warm. If the system is old and no longer efficient, a technician will most likely explain that it can no longer be optimized and instead, must be replaced. An older system that continues to run can cost you a lot more money to keep your house warm than installing a new system altogether.

Know When It's Time to Replace Your Furnace

If you find the heating system needs frequent repairs, this is a sign that it needs replacing. As the system breaks down and repairs need to be made, check to see that replacement isn't the better option. The cost of replacement is often less in the long run than repairing.

Beyond saving money, a heating system that is no longer efficient is not good for the environment. You will need to use extra resources to run the system and your carbon footprint will increase. Good maintenance is an investment, and it is wise to invest thoughtfully in such an important system within your home.

Advantages of Replacement

To assist you in determining whether your system needs replacing, remember to factor in the benefits of replacement:

• Cost - The most obvious and immediate benefit to replacing an older system will be the reduced operating cost. Notice a theme developing.
• Environmental - As mentioned, newer systems are designed to be eco-friendly.
• Smart Systems - Home heating today has changed. Smart Home technology has vastly enhanced your climate control capabilities. Online operation and voice control are just a couple of the newer features.
• Tax Incentives - Depending on the system installed and its efficiency rating, you may qualify for certain tax breaks.

If you have questions or concerns about your home’s heating system, please contact us at Blackie’s Heating and Air Conditioning today.

Air Conditioning Service Tips for Fall

The temperature is dropping, which means homeowners are beginning to think about end-of-summer home maintenance. This fall, don't leave air conditioning service off your to-do list. The change of seasons can have a number of effects on your home systems, and pushing HVAC maintenance off can have costly consequences.

Vacuum your AC unit

As leaves begin to fall, they can easily be pulled into your AC unit. Additionally, grass bits thrown into the air while mowing your lawn, lint particles that escape through your dryer vent, and dust in the air on a hot summer day can stick to your unit's coils, creating an insulating barrier that reduces efficiency. In time, dirt, pollen, pebbles and bugs can wind up clogging up your unit. Use an industrial vacuum to clear your AC of unwanted debris.

Clear the condensate drain tube

Condensation formed on the air conditioning coils can lead to bacteria and slime, which can clog up your drain tubes. The result is pooling, nasty water that can turn into bigger problems, like ineffective cooling or a smelly AC. Clear out the tubes to keep your unit free of bacteria and working properly. Use a diluted bleach solution to kill any bacteria.

Check the surroundings

The perfect environment for an AC unit is on firm, level ground that isn't crowded. If the land surrounding your unit is starting to slope, take the time to level it out. Also, make sure the area is clear of unnecessary items like toys, lawn furniture or broken branches. Leave at least a 2-foot clearance around the AC.

Arrange for seasonal AC maintenance

Conducting basic maintenance on your AC unit can help in identifying problems early. However, it's also a good idea to have your unit inspected periodically to ensure any small issues are fixed before they become larger problems.

Your air conditioner should keep your home cool for years to come, and proper maintenance is the best way to ensure it'll last. To schedule a maintenance check with Blackie’s Heating and Air Conditioning, contact us today.

How to Prepare Your Air Conditioner for the Off-Season

The last days of summer are quickly sneaking up on us, which means the cooling season is coming to an end. As your air conditioner starts to see less use, you should begin preparing it for the off-season. Executing a few basic precautionary tasks can ensure your AC is ready to start up next spring without running into any major issues. Follow the steps provided below to prepare your system for the next cooling season.

Evaluate Your Air Conditioner's Overall Performance 
Take a moment at the end of the cooling season to evaluate your air conditioner's efficiency and overall performance. Start by pulling out your utility bill for the last three months. Look for any drastic spikes in energy consumption. If you find your bill has substantially increased, especially compared to previous summers, your A/C may be struggling to cool your home. You should also take note of any performance issues, such as weak airflow or strange noises. If your evaluation points out a variety of problems and your system is over 15 years old, you may want to consider investing in a new air conditioner before the next cooling season rolls around.

Have Your Air Conditioner Serviced by a Professional  Scheduling a service appointment will guarantee your air conditioner is ready for the off-season. Our HVAC technicians will inspect your system and perform a variety of tasks designed to keep your AC in its most optimal condition. From removing dirt and debris, to evaluating your system's overall performance, our technicians can spot any underlying issues that may lead to a costly malfunction next cooling season. In the long run, having your air conditioner serviced at the end of the summer ensures your AC will operate at its most efficient level when it's time to turn it back on.

Keep Your Outside Unit Clean
Clearing the area around your outdoor unit is an important part of preparing your air conditioner for the off-season. Leaves, branches, weeds, and grass clippings can enter the unit, causing a variety of issues. Removing the debris immediately before the off-season, and sporadically throughout the fall and winter, will save your system from major problems down the road.

If you would like to schedule a service appointment, please contact us today to help you maintain the health of your air conditioner.




 

How to Deal with Inconsistent Temperatures in Your Home

Many factors are taken into account when an HVAC professional calculates the appropriate system for your home. Even if a contractor configures and installs everything correctly, the temperature throughout your house will not necessarily be consistent. There are lots of variables that can affect the temperature consistency of your home.

Why do homes have inconsistent temperatures?

In some cases, the problem could be the layout of your home. A home that has two stories and a basement and has a single HVAC zone will most likely have cooler temperatures below ground-level, and warmer temperatures on the top floor. Although professionals typically address this type of issue before building a home, some homeowners shy away from the initial cost of additional units. Another problem is when a homeowner extends their house. Because the new addition of the home was not accounted for during the installation of the HVAC system, it could mess with the temperature balance of the entire house.

Consider adding additional units

If a house has a proper HVAC system but has inconsistent temperatures, it could very well be that a second HVAC zone is necessary. It is costly to create a second zone in an existing home, but it is more cost efficient to run than a single-zone system. In addition to having more stable temperatures, the additional units will end up paying for themselves in the long run.

Add a ductless split system

Ductless systems are great for home additions, or for areas that are not as easy to service as the rest of the home. They can cool and heat a sizable portion of a house, and they are more energy efficient than central air systems. Installation and maintenance are also less complicated and time-consuming than duct systems.

HVAC systems can be complicated. If you are having trouble balancing the temperature in your home, give us a call today and we’d be happy to evaluate your home and work to correct the issues so that you will have balanced temperatures throughout your home.