Scheduling your annual furnace maintenance helps keep your heating system working up to 30% more efficient and helps extend the life of the equipment. But things may still go wrong, and when they do, you may feel like you’re always hearing about something else.
This time it’s your heat exchanger, next time it’s your control valve. Now you need to replace your flame sensor.
A flame sensor is an important safety element on your gas heating system. During the ignition sequence, your gas furnace undergoes a process where a spark or a hot surface ignitor actually ignites the gas. Once the gas is ignited, the flame sensor produces a current of electricity. This is measured in micro amps. If the furnace’s control board does not read the correct level of micro amps, the furnace will stop giving the system fuel to avoid an explosion.
Over time, if the flame sensor is not adequately cleaned, oxidation or carbon buildup can interfere with the flame sensor’s ability to function properly, which can cause the furnace to malfunction.
The way to determine if a dirty flame sensor is to blame for a furnace malfunction is to take a micro amp draw reading, which a professional furnace technician can provide you. If a dirty flame sensor is the culprit, the technician will clean the sensor with steel wool. If dirt was the only factor, we will see a much higher amp reading. If the reading doesn’t change, the technician will continue with the heating system repair diagnostic process.
If you aren’t certain your heating system is going to survivie these last few weeks of winter, give A-Plus a call and we’ll come out and provide you with a full furnace maintenance or a free in-home estimate on a new heating system.
Student loan debt across the nation has been a growing concern for a long time. Today’s total student debt is more than $1.7 trillion, with the average college graduate owing $20,000 to $25,000. If you’re considering your academic journey or counseling someone who is, it’s important to weigh... Continue reading
When you’re ready to replace your old furnace, don’t move forward thinking a new furnace is the only option. This may be the preferred choice for most North American homeowners, but heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular. Still, the question remains: Is a heat pump the best choice for... Continue reading
If you’re realizing that it’s time to upgrade your furnace, an important first step is to settle on an efficiency rating. That rating selection will impact your up-front costs and what you pay for home heating down the road. This guide is intended to inform you about AFUE ratings and how... Continue reading
© 2023 Service Experts, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Service Experts logo and design are registered trademarks of Service Experts LLC and used under license by SE Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved. *Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.