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eating0306

Furnace's issue or breaker's

4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago

Hi everybody,

Happy new year!

I'd like to consult here to see what else I can check to make my furnace work again. My furnace stopped working suddenly, and the breaker was tripped. After I turned it back on, the furnace just doesn't work any more, no sign of turning on at all. I checked the on/off switch of the furnace, the indicator light remains off when the switch is on, as it is a switch outlet, I tried the outlet right next to the switch, no power.

A bit extra info: the filter of the furnace does look dirty, so I changed the filter after the furnace stopped working, and the fuse in the furnace seems to be fine, still has a 0.2Ω reading.

P.S.: It is a natural gas Americas Standard (Sliver series) furnace, 7-8 years old.

I have called several HVAC technicians, they are all fully booked recently until Thursday at earliest.

Any idea of the possible causes of the issue?

Thank you.

Comments (16)

  • 4 years ago

    In order for others to help they will likely need more information. What is your heat source? Electric, or natural gas for example. A model number would be preferable so the experts can chime in and offer there opinion.

    Lia X thanked kevinande
  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Thank you for your comment! It is a natural gas furnace, brand is Americas Standard (Sliver series).

  • 4 years ago

    Do you have spare breakers and know how to safely change them? If not, perhaps before having to wait for the HVAC tech, you could find an electrician who could test the breaker and replace it if needed. If the furnace is causing the breaker to trip, then the HVAC tech will be needed. But if not, you might survive the winter better with an early fix.

    Lia X thanked kaseki
  • 4 years ago

    "I checked the on/off switch of the furnace, the indicator light remains off when the switch is on, as it is a switch outlet, I tried the outlet right next to the switch, no power."

    Are you saying that you have a two-gang electrical box with (a) a switch that controls the furnace and (b) an outlet similar to the right-hand photo? Are you also saying that the outlets are on the same circuit as the furnace (and its switch)? And the outlets also don't work?



    Lia X thanked wdccruise
  • 4 years ago

    Thank you so much for your replies!


    The switch I am talking about is almost exaclty like the below one. The red led doesn't light, and the outlet also doesn't work.



  • 4 years ago

    Thank you so much!! I checked the breaker, and it is indeed the breaker issue, and it is working now!

  • 4 years ago

    Do you have at least one carbon monoxide detector and maybe a natural gas leak detector? How's the batteries in your smoke detectors?


    IMPO


    SR

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    "Do you have at least one carbon monoxide detector and maybe a natural gas leak detector?"

    Are you suggesting that this nearly new furnace was installed improperly or that the place where it's located presents a danger to the people in the home? Or simply scaremongering?

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    I dont think he/she was trying to scare anyone. Its always recommended to have a CO2 monitor near any fire burning appliance, as well as a smoke detector. (Some places, municipal code requires it). Age of the equipment doesnt matter. Ok, the natural gas leak detector may be a bit much, but to each their own.

  • 4 years ago

    Hi, Unplug the furnace and plug in a light or radio. If they work the problem is with the furnace.

    Good Luck Woodbutcher

  • 4 years ago

    Woodbutcher….read the comments. The issue was found and fixed. You dont trouble shoot an electrical issuue with a furnace by unplugging it and plugging a radio in. Furnaces are hard wired to a discomnect switch.

  • 4 years ago

    Re: Elmer J Fudd

    "Do you have at least one carbon monoxide detector and maybe a natural gas leak detector?”

    “Are you suggesting that this nearly new furnace was installed improperly or that the place where it's located presents a danger to the people in the home? Or simply scaremongering?”

    Are you stupid or something to trash a cautionary comment like the one I posted; just asking?

    Yes, everyone with fossil fuel burning appliances should have those devices except maybe you - you shouldn’t even have a fire extinguisher - because you’re a - TROLL - to post your comment!

    A properly moderated website would have thrown you off long ago.

    IMPO

    SR

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    "Furnaces are hard wired to a discomnect switch."

    My two aren't. The furnaces themselves plug directly into a standard wall socket. I presume that power is for the blower and the gas ignitor. There's in addition a transformer to provide lower voltage for what I presume is used by the control circuitry and the thermostats.

  • 4 years ago

    I guess i should have said ”typically are hard wired”. Almost 4 years and i have never seen one just plugged in. Guess they are out there though. The OP did specify how the furnace was wired so it wasnt possible to just unplug it.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Here's a photo (click to enlarge), so now you have. The furnace is on the right, a water heater on the left. The electrical cord plugged into the socket runs through a hole into the furnace chassis, behind the foam insulated AC line set. The cord is coiled in a loop also not visible behind the line set, I guess it was too long..

    I have another furnace with a similar setup in a closet, this is in a garage.