Hello, my name is Darby Aldrich. I would like to talk to you about the importance of maintaining your air conditioning system. When I moved to a hot climate, I did not realize how vital having a running air conditioner was for living comfortably. When the unit just stopped working one day, the temperature inside the house rivaled the piping hot weather outdoors. We had to go to the community center to keep the kids from feeling sick. While we were gone, we had a local HVAC contractor fix the unit. She let us know that some simple maintenance tasks would prevent that situation in the future. I will use this site to closely explore those tasks in great detail. I hope you can use the information to keep your air conditioner running like new. Thanks.
The furnace burners produce the heat that warms your house. Thus, malfunctioning burners mean inefficient heating. Below are common reasons furnace burners malfunction.
Restricted Fuel Supply
A gas furnace burns a mixture of gas and air to generate heat. The air and fuel mixture must be in the correct ratio for the burners to burn properly. Problems arise if the burners are not getting adequate fuel.
For example, the burners will experience restricted fuel supply if the gas shutoff valve malfunctions and remain struck in an off position. The same problem arises if the control valve, which adjusts gas fuel to the valve, malfunctions. Even debris can block the gas lines and interfere with burner operation.
Inadequate Airflow
As mentioned above, the burners need air and fuel to keep burning. Just as restricted fuel triggers burner malfunctions, so does restricted airflow. For example, the furnace won't get enough air if something blocks the intake. For furnaces that draw air inside the house, a confined location limits the air the furnace can draw for efficient burner operations.
Ignition Malfunction
The furnace ignition system provides the heat that ignites the air-fuel mixture and keeps the burners lit. The igniter might not produce enough heat to light the burners if something breaks off its tip. For ignition systems that use electricity to generate heat, electrical problems such as short circuits affect burner operations.
Faulty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor is your furnace's premier safety device. The flame sensor detects whether the burners are hot enough to burn the fuel that flows into them. The flame sensor cuts off the fuel supply if the burner temperature is too low to burn the fuel.
The flame sensor is necessary because fuel should not flow into the burners when they are off. Such fuel might accumulate in the furnace and explode upon sensing heat. However, the flame sensor might malfunction and cut off fuel flow even if it shouldn't. No fuel means the burners don't light.
Cracked Heat Exchanger
Lastly, furnace burners might not produce enough heat if the heat exchanger cracks. The furnace heat exchanger separates the combustion environment from the air circulating in your house. A cracked heat exchanger allows the environments to mix, causing several effects.
For one, a cracked heat exchanger allows dangerous gases to escape the furnace and contaminate indoor air. Secondly, the crack allows extra air to enter the combustion chamber. The extra air interferes with the air-fuel mixture ratio. For example, you might notice yellowish and sooty flames if your furnace's heat exchanger cracks.
For more information on HVAC repairs, contact Priority Heating and Air.
Share14 August 2023
