do you need a whole-house dehumidifier?do you need a whole-house dehumidifier?


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do you need a whole-house dehumidifier?

Do you have an excessive amount of moisture in your home? Have you had the foundation checked for issues just to find that the moisture is coming from the air and not the structure? If your home is filled with moisture, it is time for you to look into having a whole-house dehumidifier installed. This system pulls the air from the duct work and filters the moisture out of it. It then pushes the dry air into your home and prevents more moisture from becoming an issue. This blog will explain the whole-house dehumidifier system to help you decide if it will do well in your home.

5 Reasons Your Furnace Pilot Light Keeps Going Out

Your gas furnace must have a properly functioning pilot light in order to operate. There are a few reasons why the pilot light can fail, so troubleshooting is necessary to figure out the cause.  

1. Malfunctioning Thermocouple

The thermocouple on the furnace is also known as the safety or flame sensor. It's designed to switch off the pilot light in the event that a flame isn't detected so that gas won't continue to leak out of an extinguished pilot light valve. The thermocouple can fail for a few reasons, such as if it is dirty, aligned improperly, or it has broken. Cleaning or repositioning it will sometimes fix the issue, although broken thermocouples will require replacement. 

2. Dirty Pilot Valve

The pilot valve is the valve that delivers the gas to the burner. Often a pilot light will go out or produce an uneven burn if there is dirt in the valve that is blocking the even flow of gas. There will be no gas if the valve is fully blocked. A partial blockage can result in a flame that sputters or burns unevenly. Pilot lights should always burn blue, so if it changes color that is a sign of uneven fuel delivery. Cleaning the valve may fix the problem. 

3. Failed Igniter

Gas doesn't burn on its own, there's an electric igniter in the furnace that provides the spark to ignite the pilot light. Igniters fail due to mechanical breakdowns or as a result of electrical issues. The first task is to check the fuse box to make sure that the circuit for the furnace hasn't been tripped. If electricity seems to be flowing to the furnace properly, then your HVAC contractor will need to check the wiring in the furnace or they may need to replace the furnace. 

4. Fuel Delivery Problems

Without proper gas flow, there will be no pilot light. A malfunctioning gas regulator in the meter outside leads to intermittent fuel flow into your home, so a pilot light may frequently go out or sputter. In this case, the regulator can be replaced. Issues on the municipal level with the gas supply, such as damage to gas lines, can also cause problems. In this case, the utility will need to troubleshoot and repair the damage.

5. Airflow Issues

A lack of airflow to the pilot flame will cause it to go out, but too much air movement will also put out the pilot light. For this reason, the burner in your furnace is designed to allow oxygen while also reducing the type of drafts that put out the light. Airflow problems can be a result of furnace placement, dirt, debris, or obstructions near the furnace. Your repair tech will have to troubleshoot the specific cause.

Contact a heating repair service to learn more.