Furnace Problems Whitby Homeowners Can Catch Early
Furnaces rarely die without warning. Most give hints for weeks or months before they stop. If you know what to look and listen for, a lot of no-heat nights in Whitby can be avoided.
It lights, then shuts off after a few seconds
Usually a dirty flame sensor. The furnace can’t prove there’s a flame, so it shuts the gas off for safety. After three or so tries it locks out. It’s one of the cheapest repairs there is, but if it keeps coming back, the cause (like poor grounding or a dirty burner) needs to be found.
Short cycling
Running for two or three minutes, shutting off, starting again. Causes include a clogged filter making the furnace overheat, a thermostat placed near a supply register, or a furnace that’s simply too big for the house.
Blinking light codes
Most furnaces have a small window with an LED on the control board. The blink pattern is a code. Write it down before you reset anything. Our guide to furnace blinking lights explains how to read it.
Rust, soot or water
Rust streaks inside the cabinet, soot around the burners, or water pooling under a high-efficiency furnace all point to problems with venting, combustion or condensate drainage. Soot in particular is a sign of incomplete combustion and should be looked at quickly.
Smells
A dusty smell on the first cold day is normal for a few minutes. A smell like rotten eggs isn’t: leave the house and call Enbridge Gas from outside. A hot electrical or burning plastic smell means shut the furnace off and call for service.
Carbon monoxide alarms
Every home with a gas furnace needs working CO alarms outside sleeping areas. It’s the law in Ontario, and it’s the only reliable way to know about a cracked heat exchanger or blocked vent.
If you’ve noticed any of these in your home, book a check before the first deep freeze. See our furnace repair and heating services, or reach out at 647-657-2977. We work in Whitby and across the GTA.
