A faulty ignition sensor is a frustrating problem for your gas furnace to have. You want to be warm, but your furnace just won’t work. How do you know if your flame sensor is bad and really the root of your problem, or if you should be looking into other potential problems with your furnace? We’ll explore how you can tell and what you should do below.
1. Your Furnace Turns On and then Off Quickly
If your furnace starts up, but then turns off within a few seconds it is short cycling. Short cycling is a common sign of a bad flame sensor. The sensor thinks that there isn’t a flame, so it shuts off the gas as a safety mechanism. Except, there is a flame and without the gas to supply it, it dies.
This is a frustrating problem, but an HVAC technician can fix it.
2. The Flame Sensor has a Crack
The outer part of the flame sensor is porcelain. This part sometimes develops a crack from damage or other issues. This crack will prevent the flame sensor from being able to assess temperature properly. It may actually result in a gas leak, as the flame sensor thinks there is a flame when there isn’t and therefore leaves the gas line open.
3. You Can See Dirt or Corrosion on the Sensor
The flame sensor should not have visible dirt or corrosion on it. If you don’t get routine maintenance for the furnace, then it’s more likely you will develop these problems. Your technician will otherwise clean off the sensor every year when they perform the maintenance.
Are you looking to speak with an HVAC Expert? Contact our team today!
How to Locate The Flame Sensor in a Furnace
If you don’t know where the flame sensor is on the furnace, it is pretty hard to find it to see if it has cracks, dirt or corrosion. Not to worry, you can find the flame sensor relatively easily. It is inside of your furnace, somewhere near the bottom, inside of the burner assembly.
As a homeowner, you should ensure that the furnace is off and the gas is off before you try to look for the flame sensor. Remember that it controls the gas flow and is a safety feature that prevents explosions. If you don’t feel comfortable handling it you should call an HVAC professional.
Best Way to Clean a Furnace Flame Sensor
When furnace flame sensors have built-up dirt, you can clean them with a very fine-grit sandpaper. Don’t go too overboard though, just focus on removing only the dirt.
There are good reasons not to clean the furnace flame sensor yourself. If it is actually broken and not just dirty, then it may cause a gas leak. You should have a professional check-up on any suspected issues with your ignition sensor.
If you are looking to get maintenance on your home heating system, contact the team at Cedarwood Heating & Cooling to hire the best technicians.
