Propane Furnace Troubleshooting: When To Call a Pro

The long, cold winters on Long Island would be unbearable without proper heat. So if you have noticed any issues with your propane furnace, you are right to worry.

But there are several troubleshooting measures you can take yourself to repair your propane furnace. But if those methods don’t work, you’ll need to know when it’s time to call a professional.

Continue reading for propane furnace troubleshooting tricks and signs that you should call a professional right away.

Test the Thermostat 

If your thermostat isn’t working properly it can easily be mistaken for an issue with the furnace. You can test the thermostat by increasing the temperature and waiting to hear the system come on. It should sound like a click and then after a few minutes, you’ll hear the whooshing sound of air.

If you try this strategy and the heat doesn’t come on, the issue could be with your thermostat. If your thermostat uses batteries, start by replacing them.

If that doesn’t work you may need to repair or replace your thermostat—but before you do that, check for other issues with your furnace.

Check the Gas Levels

If the furnace won’t ignite and you’re not sure why? When the furnace won’t turn on, the first step is to check the gas supply. Checking the gas is a good first step to take—it’s relatively simple and you can do it yourself in a few minutes.

Check the gas gauge on your propane tank

The gas gauge is located near the valve on your propane tank.

• If the gauge reads above 10:  then the gas supply is probably not the issue.
• If the gauge reads below 25: it’s time to schedule a propane delivery.

Call Propane Depot for propane delivery in the Long Island area, including Suffolk County and Northern Nassau County.

Check the Ignition Source

Another common issue with furnaces is a malfunctioning ignition source—this will be either a pilot light or electronic furnace ignition depending on your furnace model.

If it is electronic, try turning your furnace or boiler off and then on again. If it is manual, you may be able to reignite the furnace using a long-necked lighter and solve the issue. If the ignition source is malfunctioning frequently it may be time to call in a professional.

Look at the Air Filters

Over time the filters can get dust, dirt, and grime build-up that can prevent the air from flowing and the house from heating.

Signs of dirty air filters

• If your furnace won’t ignite or you are noticing the flow of air is inconsistent
• One room is not heating up,  but the other rooms are heating up fine
• You notice a musty smell coming from your furnace. (Note: if you smell gas or rotting eggs this could be a sign of a more dangerous issue.)

Cleaning your air filters

Depending on the type of filter, you may be able to gently clean out any debris yourself. If the filter cannot be cleaned you will need to replace the filters.

Replacing your air filters

Air filters are relatively inexpensive and easy to install on your own. If cleaning or replacing the air filters does not fix the issue, it may be time to bring in a professional to troubleshoot the problem with your propane furnace. Be sure to choose a trusted, accredited professional company for any and all propane furnace repairs.

Issues That Require a Professional

Problem with the Draft Motor

If your furnace is turning on and then immediately turning off, it could be an issue with the draft motor.

• The draft motor of your propane furnace is responsible for pulling gas through the furnace.
• If the draft motor won’t start at all, the motor itself might be bad. It could also be an issue with the capacitor which helps support the draft motor. 

Furnace Fan is Not Running

If you believe that the furnace fan is not running, you can easily check yourself.

• Check the inspection window on the furnace and locate the small light.
• If the light is green, things are working as expected.
• If you see a red light or no light, there’s a problem.

Some of the common issues include problems with the control board or the transformer, but you will need a professional to inspect your furnace for more information.

Persistent Problems

If you’ve tried the troubleshooting strategies and you can’t find a permanent solution, call an expert. They may be able to identify more complicated issues with the propane furnace.

Don’t wait for the problems to get worse, call an expert instead.

Issues that Require Immediate Assistance

Now that you have a few propane furnace failure troubleshooting ideas, let’s talk about the situations where you should absolutely call an expert in for back up.

Smell of Smoke or Gas

If you smell smoke or gas this could be a sign of a propane gas leak, which can be dangerous. Propane manufacturers add a distinctive skunk or rotten egg smell to propane so you are able to detect right away if there is a leak

If you smell gas or smoke, immediately remove yourself and your family from the home. Wait until the expert arrives and gives you the all-clear.

Carbon Monoxide Detector 

As a matter of safety, you should always have a functioning carbon monoxide detector in each room in your house. If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, this could also indicate a gas leak. With any potential gas leak, you should leave your home or office building immediately.  Call 911 to get help immediately.

Propane Furnace Issues – Solved

Don’t endure the winter months with a malfunctioning propane heater. Go through this list of troubleshooting tips and you may be able to fix the problem yourself.

However, if you can’t find the cause or the same problem persists, call in an expert. A professional company will have the problem identified and your heat restored quickly.

And remember—it could end up costing you more to heat your home inefficiently than to call an expert to fix it.

For the most highly rated experts in the Long Island area, including Suffolk County and Northern Nassau County, trust Propane Depot for your propane delivery and maintenance needs. Contact us today for maintenance and service for your propane furnace.

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