It’s frustrating when your GE gas furnace isn’t producing heat, especially during colder months. If your furnace is acting up, your home will be uncomfortable and you’ll wonder if you should call a professional. But many of the problems that keep a gas furnace from heating are easy to troubleshoot. Knowing how the key gas furnace parts work together will allow you to fix the problem yourself. The most frequent reasons for furnace issues will be covered in this post, along with a step-by-step guide to fixing them.
Causes and Fixes for a GE Gas Furnace Not Producing Heat
Here are the common causes and fixes for a GE gas furnace not producing heat:
- Thermostat Issues
Your heating system control center is the thermostat. Your thermostat might not transmit a signal to the furnace to generate heat if it is malfunctioning or not set appropriately.
Fix:
- Check the settings: Make sure the thermostat is on the ‘heat’ setting and set the temperature higher than the room temperature.
- Replace the batteries: To ensure optimal operation, replace the batteries if your thermostat is battery-operated.
- Reset or replace: To see if you have a digital or smart thermostat, try resetting it or replacing it if it isn’t responding correctly.
- Pilot Light or Ignition Failure
Without heat, the furnace won’t ignite if the pilot light goes out or if the electronic ignition system fails.
Fix:
- Relight the pilot: To properly relight your furnace’s pilot light, adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Check the ignition system: If your furnace has an electronic ignition system, check that it is operating correctly by listening to the clicking sound. It could be necessary to replace the defective ignitor.
- Dirty or Clogged Air Filter
The furnace will overheat and shut down as a safety measure if the air filter is unclean because it can obstruct airflow. Sometimes, it can even keep the furnace from creating heat altogether.
Fix:
- Change the air filter: Get a new filter if the old one seems congested or unclean. Before reinstalling a reusable filter, make sure it is completely clean.
- Establish a regular maintenance routine: Replace or clean the filter part of your regular furnace maintenance, ideally, once a month or every 1 to 3 months based on usage.
- Faulty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor makes sure that the furnace is producing a flame and lighting properly. The furnace will shut down as a safety measure if the sensor becomes dirty or fails.
Fix:
- Clean the flame sensor: Turn off the furnace and use steel wool or a fine abrasive pad to clean the flame sensor.
- Replace the sensor: If it doesn’t fix the problem, you may need to replace the sensor. Flame sensors are inexpensive and simple to swap out.
- Gas Supply Problems
Your furnace cannot provide enough heat to warm your house without the gas supply. A clogged gas line, a closed gas valve, or issues with the gas supply might all be the source of this issue.
Fix:
- Make sure the gas valve is open by checking it. Turn the valve on if it’s off.
- Inspect the gas line: Check for any obvious damage or clogs. If you think you have a leak or a blockage, turn off the furnace and call a professional right away.
- smell gas? If you notice the scent of gas near your furnace, turn it off and leave your home immediately. Call an expert after that.
- Blower Motor Malfunctions
Warm air is circulated throughout the house by the blower motor. If the motor is bad, the furnace may heat properly but not distribute the heat, or not distribute air at all.
Fix:
- Inspect the motor: Look for damage or obstruction in the blower motor. Clean up any debris around the motor and make sure it’s able to turn.
- Lubricate if necessary: Some blower motors need to be lubricated to work properly. Apply lubricant if needed.
- Replace the motor: If lubrication doesn’t help and the motor is faulty, it may have to be replaced. This repair may require professional service.
Basic troubleshooting can often fix the problem if your GE gas furnace isn’t producing heat. You quickly identify and fix common problems by inspecting key furnace components. However, for more serious things like a part malfunction, you’ll need professional help. You must avoid creating future problems and maintain your furnace using routine maintenance. With the right knowledge, you will be able to deal with minor issues and know when to call in the experts to keep your home warm and comfortable.
