Receiving your annual furnace maintenance helps keep your heating system operating up to thirty percent more efficient and helps extend the life of your furnace. But things could still malfunction, 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 equipment. During the ignition cycle, your gas furnace goes through a process where either a hot surface ignitor or a spark actually ignites the gas. When the gas is ignited, the flame sensor generates a current of electricity. This is measured in micro amps. If the furnace’s control board does not read the proper level of micro amps, the furnace will stop giving the system fuel to prevent an explosion.
Over time, if the flame sensor is not cleaned properly, oxidation or carbon buildup can interfere with the flame sensor’s ability to function properly, which can end up causing the heating system to malfunction.
The way to determine if an unclean flame sensor is to blame for a furnace malfunction is to take a micro amp draw reading, which an expert heating 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 notably higher amp reading. If the reading does not change, the technician will proceed with the heating equipment repair diagnostic process.
If you aren’t sure your heating equipment is going to make it through these last few weeks of winter, give Chief/Bauer Service Experts 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.
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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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