Do you need help figuring out what’s wrong with your furnace? Call the experienced team at Complete Comfort Control for service!
Your furnace can’t produce heat without a sufficient flow of gas to keep the burners lit. Experts recommend having gas flow into your heating system at a specific pressure for the best results. This begs the question: what happens if furnace gas pressure is too low?
In this guide, we’ll uncover the proper gas pressure your furnace should maintain and its importance, as well as what will happen if the pressure drops. Let the experts at Complete Comfort Control, the Hamptons’ trusted HVAC company, explain the ideal settings for your gas-powered furnace.
Importance of Your Furnace’s Gas Valve and Pressure Settings
All of the gas-powered appliances in your home rely on the gas supply line for fuel. However, these appliances, especially your furnace, need valves that will regulate the pressure and flow of gas. The standard gas line that supplies your home’s appliances with natural gas isn’t effective on its own.
If you operate your furnace so the gas flows at the same pressure as the supply line, it won’t be as energy-efficient as it could be. The furnace’s gas valves regulate the fuel pressure so that the system generates heat as efficiently as possible. HVAC technicians check that your gas valves release optimum pressure during furnace installation, though they will need testing over time to maintain efficiency.
Why a Furnace Must Maintain Sufficient Gas Pressure
Your furnace can experience significant issues if the gas pressure falls out of the optimum range. Drastic shifts in the gas pressure can damage the system’s parts, make it less efficient, and even impact your indoor air quality. Discover the impact of major swings in your furnace’s gas pressure.
What Happens If Furnace Gas Pressure Is Too Low?
A faulty gas valve can fail to regulate the pressure of natural gas flowing through the system. As a result, it will flow at a rate much lower than the ideal pressure. This presents many serious consequences for homeowners.
The furnace will become much less energy-efficient and cause your heating bills to skyrocket. In addition, there will be an excess level of moisture during the combustion process, which can cause the combustion chamber to crack or rust. Cracks in the combustion chamber can lead to the release of harmful flue gases entering your home and impacting the air you breathe.
What Happens If Furnace Gas Pressure Is Too High?
Knowing what happens if furnace gas pressure is too low should motivate you to test your valve settings and make sure the pressure doesn’t drop out of the optimum range. However, you also want to avoid the pressure climbing too high, as this can have consequences as well.
One of the outcomes of too much pressure from the gas valve is a burning smell wafting from your furnace. If you’re using your heater for the first time after a long period of sitting idle, this odor is normal and typically goes away in a few minutes. A lingering smell could indicate the system is overheating because of the immense gas pressure.
Once your furnace starts to overheat, its high-limit switch will trip. This safety feature prevents the furnace from getting too hot and will automatically turn the system off so it can cool down. You’ll likely need to call a professional technician to inspect the furnace when the system keeps switching on and off.
They will determine if the root cause of the overheating and switch tripping is excessive gas pressure. Correcting this issue is fairly simple as long as your furnace doesn’t sustain permanent damage.
How To Maintain Normal Furnace Gas Pressure Levels
If you’re having trouble with your furnace and suspect the gas valve is to blame, it’s crucial to determine if the problem lies with your furnace or your gas supply line. Confirm that your home is receiving a gas supply by checking other gas-powered appliances like your stove or water heater. If none of these appliances work, you’ll have to call your local gas company for repairs.
Assuming that you have a steady gas supply, it’s best to call an HVAC technician to inspect your furnace. They will test the valve and pressure using a tool called a manometer. Experts follow this checklist to adjust the gas pressure:
- Shut off the gas supply to the furnace.
- Cut off electrical power to the furnace using the circuit breaker.
- Connect the manometer to the pressure gauge on the gas valve and then turn on the burner.
- Turn the attached screw either clockwise to increase the total gas pressure or counterclockwise for a lower pressure. This should match the manufacturer’s recommended pressure on the furnace’s rating plate.
Sometimes, even hitting the reset switch on the furnace will cause the pressure to normalize. HVAC pressure switches can get stuck and impact how the system runs. By resetting the machine, you don’t have to wonder about what happens if the furnace gas pressure is too low because of a faulty switch.
Why Call a Professional?
Attempting to fix a faulty furnace gas valve without proper training can cause further damage to your heater. Let a qualified technician treat the system and restore normal pressure to your gas furnace. Professional contractors can evaluate the condition of your furnace and determine if it needs further repairs.
Contact Complete Comfort Control for Superior Furnace Repairs
Now that you know what happens if furnace gas pressure is too low, take the proper precautions to keep your heater in good working condition. Are you unsure of what to do if the furnace pressure switch goes bad or your unit won’t turn on? The experts at Complete Comfort Control are here to help.
We provide top-notch furnace repair services throughout the Hamptons and can have your system working again quickly. Call our HVAC specialists at (631) 910-6702 to request service at your New York home.