3 Responses to furnace problem

1. georgette_90 on 2008-07-29 21:04:53.011322

   Our furnace stopped working. Thank god its not really cold yet. I can see a flame in the box but the fan doesn't seem to go on. What do you think it could be? Ours did that last year. We have a gas furnace. In our case, there was a switch in the control box on the furnace that was corroded and fffftzzed out. If you know you have fuel , that the switch is still connected where the wall box is, then most likely you have a bad switch or board *depending on your system*. It could also be the fan motor or a control switch for the fan. Sounds like it is time to call a technician! Do you have yearly service agreements with your utility company? If not, call them up, arrange the service, and then call for service the next day or so. :oD It will be much MUCH MUCH cheaper, trust me! Because we had a yearly contract with BG&E that covered the service call, the repair only cost us something like $150 for both of his *well, he came three times* service calls, and the troubleshooting and installation of the new parts. Best $75 for a year contract I had ever spent! Good luck.. Kathie Forest Hill, Maryland

2. schneider_1300 on 2008-07-29 19:51:26.699073

   If you are actually seeing the flame from the burner, and the fan does not come on, you may have a serious problem. If this is an older, before all electronic controls, unit there is a thermostatic switch that extends into the heat exchanger with a box on the front of the furnace, usually right above the burners. This switch servers two purposes, it turns the fan on and off depending on the temperature in the heat exchanger, and it is supposed to turn off the power to the burners if the fan doesn't start to prevent damage to the heat exchanger. If the switch has gone bad and does not turn on the blower, it may have failed so that it does not interrupt power to the burner control valve as well. This condition can cause extensive damage to the furnace and can even allow the furnace to become so hot as to set the house on fire. I hope this will help you since you didn't say how old the furnace happened to be and whether it was oil or gas. Dale When I was born I was so surprised I didn't talk for a year and a half. Gracie Allen (1906 - 1964) I

3. esther_4 on 2008-07-30 13:07:28.491993

   thanks for all the help and advice. Our new neighbor came over and looked at it. Seems the only thing wrong was the fan motor need oil. I guess the last owners neglected to oil it occasionally and when we first turned it on there was no lubrication. At least that what the friendly neighbor said. Its fine now.

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