Furnace flame sensors are essential components of your furnace system and should be kept clean at all times in order to extend their lifespan and preserve performance. Regular cleaning takes just minutes and could extend its usefulness for years.
A flame sensor looks like a metal rod encased with porcelain, leading directly into the burner assembly. If it detects heat, it shuts off its gas valve as an extra safety measure.
Keeping that flame sensor clean is a breeze and totally worth it for a longer-lasting furnace! For quick tips and reliable service, check out this site: https://andersonair.com/service-areas/greenland/.
1. Puddles of water around your furnace
Water puddles surrounding your furnace are an obvious indication that something is wrong. Puddles could indicate that PVC drain lines have become blocked; should this happen, professional assistance should be called upon immediately.
2. Unusual smells
Unfamiliar smells coming from your furnace could be a telltale sign that something is amiss; you must identify them quickly so you can contact a technician as soon as possible to address these odors quickly and appropriately.
Some odors could signal dangerous situations, while others could simply be part of regular heating system processes taking place within it.
Odor-causing carbon buildup on your flame sensor often contributes to strange odors in your furnace, as the safety device fails to detect heat and, therefore, closes off its gas valve prematurely, forcing short cycling in which it runs for only seconds before shutting off again.
To diagnose this issue, first turn off the power to the furnace by switching off its electrical breaker in your electrical panel. Remove the furnace cover and locate the sensor; this thin rod-shaped metal component usually lies within the burner assembly and can usually be identified by its white or yellow porcelain coating.
3. Constant thermostat adjustments
If your furnace keeps turning on and off repeatedly, this could be an indication that its flame sensor has failed. A flame sensor is a rod-shaped component that creates an electric current when heat from a pilot light is detected; this current travels back to the control board, which then determines whether to keep heating the home.
If your flame sensor becomes compromised, it may falsely interpret that there is no heat present. This can affect the functionality and effectiveness of the rest of your system.
Close the gas valve to avoid carbon monoxide leakage and explosions in your home and decrease the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning. This vital safety function safeguards against explosions while decreasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
If your flame sensor is faulty, contact an HVAC repair technician immediately so they can clean and replace the device before starting any cleaning processes yourself. Before cleaning, shut off all gas and electric power to your furnace before beginning this step.
4. High utility bills
Furnaces use gas to produce heat, and if your furnace flame sensor goes bad, it could fail to shut off as planned and drive up your energy costs as your furnace continues running continuously. This could cause your bill to skyrocket because it keeps running constantly.
Your furnace flame sensor should be professionally cleaned at least annually as part of an annual maintenance appointment to avoid malfunctions that result in inaccurate readings.
5. Corrosion
If you notice corrosion or carbon buildup on its surface, use grain sandpaper or steel wool to rub off these layers and wipe clean afterward with a dry cloth.
Corrosion on a flame sensor can impede its ability to assess temperature and turn off gas flow accurately. Cleaning the burner sensor can help fix this issue; for this process, turn off both gas and electric power to the unit before removing its access cover, as well as any screws or bolts attached to the sensor.
Once the flame sensor has been cleaned, reattach and reinstall it to the furnace access cover. Next, test to ensure it’s functioning as it should; if not, consider replacing its burner sensor using this simple procedure from an HVAC installation company – this may provide a low-cost fix that solves short cycling issues.
Conclusion
Flame sensors are an integral component of your furnace’s safety system, so if one stops functioning as intended, contact an HVAC technician as soon as possible for professional assistance. They can supply an affordable replacement part that will fix the issue and perform a safety inspection to ensure everything is operating safely.
In many cases, repairs cost under $20. That said, you could do it yourself if you have the appropriate tools and are comfortable working on your furnace.
In many instances, simply cleaning out the flame sensor is sufficient to resolve its issue.
