Troubleshooting Your Lexington Furnace’s Ignition Problems

The weather is getting cooler in Lexington, and you may have already turned on your heating system. If you find that your furnace isn’t turning on when you need heat, ignition problems may be to blame! Before calling Climate Control for help, try troubleshooting the system yourself. Here’s what you should do:

• Check your thermostat – make sure heating mode is selected, and the set temperature is below the room temperature.
• Check your furnace’s on/off switch – set it to ‘on’.
• Check your breaker or fuse box – make sure no breakers have been tripped or fuses blown; reset or replace if necessary.

If power issues aren’t to blame, check these furnace components which are often to blame for ignition issues:

• Drip pan – The system’s drip pan is supposed to catch condensation and drain it away from the system. If it’s clogged, it will not drain, and the built-up condensation will trigger the flat switch, which will stop the furnace from igniting. Drain the drip pan and clear any clogs, which should reset the float switch and allow the furnace to ignite.
• Vacuum tube – the vacuum tube, or pressure switch tube, can become clogged or fill up with moisture. This will trigger system safeties and prevent the furnace from turning on. Cleaning out the tube can fix the issue, and your furnace should now ignite.

If these steps do not solve your furnace ignition issues, faulty components may be to blame. A broken ignitor will prevent the furnace from starting up; cracks in the ignitor can sometimes be easily spotted, as they can have a white residue surrounding them. A faulty control board will prevent the furnace’s components from working to heat your home; if the LED lights on your control board are not coming on, the board may be malfunctioning, preventing the furnace from starting. To resolve these issues, you’ll need the assistance of a professional heating and air conditioning technician.

Troubleshooting a furnace isn’t for everyone – if you are having trouble performing the steps above or feel uncomfortable doing so, best leave it to the pros! Contact Climate Control for service and we will send out a NATE-certified furnace technician to repair your heating system quickly.