Setting up your annual furnace maintenance helps keep your heating system operating up to 30% more efficient and helps extend the life of the equipment. But things could still stop working, 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 board. Now you need to replace your flame sensor.
A flame sensor is an important safety feature on your gas heating system. During the ignition pattern, your gas furnace goes through a process where either a hot surface ignitor or a spark actually ignites the gas. Once the gas is ignited, the flame sensor creates a current of electricity. This is quantified 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 work properly, which can end up causing the heating system to malfunction.
The way to determine if a soiled flame sensor is to blame for a furnace malfunction is to take a micro amp draw reading, which an expert 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 sole factor, we will see a significantly higher amp reading. If the reading shows no change, the technician will proceed with the heating system repair diagnostic process.
If you aren’t sure your heating system is going to make it through these last few weeks of winter, give Air Engineers Service Experts a call and we’ll come out and perform a full furnace maintenance or a free in-home estimate on a new heating system.
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There’s no reason to skip your seasonal maintenance that saves energy and helps ensure your air conditioner and heater will work reliably all season long.
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