The Booms Your Gas Furnace Makes Could Be A Delayed Ignition Problem That Requires Prompt Repairs
Posted on: 14 September 2020
If your gas furnace makes a loud boom when it kicks on, it may have a delayed ignition. This problem has a few different causes, but no matter what the cause is, a furnace repair professional should figure out what's wrong and make repairs as soon as possible. A delayed ignition problem could cause expensive damage to your furnace. Here's a look at what causes a delayed ignition and the furnace repairs that might be needed.
A Delayed Ignition Can Become Serious
Delayed ignition is a condition where your furnace doesn't ignite right away. The delay allows gas to accumulate in the furnace, and when it ignites, it creates a mini explosion and loud boom. When this happens frequently, the furnace might crack or develop other problems.
If the heat exchanger cracks, you might even need a new furnace. Besides damaging the equipment, a delayed ignition might become a safety hazard if soot or flames blow out of the furnace during the mini explosion.
Things That Can Cause A Delayed Ignition
Problems with the gas supply and air mixture ratio might be to blame. Too much or too little gas interfere with proper ignition. It's also possible that a dirty furnace is to blame. If soot or sulfur residue has built up, the furnace may not be able to ignite. This can also happen if rust coats the parts, which might happen if there's a moisture problem where the furnace is located.
An ignition delay problem can develop at any time, but you might experience it when you first start your furnace in the fall, especially if you skipped the annual maintenance call.
Furnace Repairs Needed For A Delayed Ignition
The furnace repair technician may only have to clean the ignition area with a chemical cleaning solution to get rid of dust, soot, sulfur, or rust. Once the parts are clean again, the problem may be solved. However, if malfunctioning parts are involved, such as an electronic ignition, then the repair technician will have to track down the problem and make repairs that could involve replacing parts.
If the mini explosions created vibrations that damaged the furnace, you may need to have more repairs done than if you'd called for help earlier. A cracked heat exchanger can allow carbon monoxide to escape, so it has to be repaired right away. A heat exchanger is expensive to replace, so you might decide it's best to replace the furnace if it's old.
When you hear a loud boom coming from your furnace, turn the furnace off and call a furnace repair company right away. You may need emergency repairs, and you may need to leave your furnace off until the repair technician arrives to avoid further damage to your equipment.
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