Baseboard Heater: Simple Troubleshooting Checklists!

The following are pieces of helpful information to troubleshoot your baseboard heater (especially for direct-vent model) if it does not work properly:

You find the flame is too large

1. Check the performance of the valve. Poor performance of the valve can lead to defective operator section that finally can result improper flame. And if you feel valve is no longer to work properly, then you have to replace it.
2. Another possible cause is too large of burner orifice! Therefore, ask and discuss with a gas company in your local area to find the right orifice size.
3. Wrong size! Make sure the unit is sized correctly!

You find yellow flame

1. It may be caused by clogged burner ports! Take a look at the burners and remove them to check any obstructions in ports, orifices or throats! Clean them but avoid enlarging orifices or ports!
2. Then the area around of vent cap must be clear and make sure the vent is properly sealed! Because any obstructions around the vent cap can lead to improper flame igniting from your direct vent baseboard heaters, like yellow flame.

You smell gas odor

If you smell gas odor, it indicates that there is a gas leak! It can be dangerous and therefore must be repaired immediately! Don’t turn on the unit and don’t touch and use any phone and electric switch in your home! You have to call and contact an authorized gas supplier, but use a neighbor phone in order to avoid electric-activity in your home that can ignites the gas. If you cannot contact a qualified gas supplier in your local area, you can contact the fire department. Don’t forget to open all windows and doors to allow all gas run to the outside!

The ignition is too slow (delayed)

1. Check the pressure of gas supply. Make sure the gas supply is running properly. Low pressure can delay the gas supply and eventually will make the slow ignition.
2. Then check the position of the igniter. Wrong location will make the igniter can work improperly, therefore make sure it is correctly installed and positioned.

The unit fails to ignite!

There are a lot of factors that can lead to the failure of ignition! Some of them are:

1. Lower-sized orifice.
2. Improperly performance of pressure switch.
3. Improper wiring.
4. No gas supply (check the gas supply by opening all gas valves).
5. The thermostat is too low (set it higher).
6. Clogged in the burner orifice (clean but avoid enlarging).
7. Etc.

This problem can be caused by a simple factor, but sometimes caused by a more complex factor. If the unit still cannot ignite, contact a professional service for more detailed troubleshooting information.

The burner cannot turn off

1. This can be caused by improper performance of thermostat, especially due to the damaged thermostat wire! You can check this issue by removing the wire from the terminal of control board and if you see that the burner goes off then you have to replace the thermostat.
2. Improper location of the thermostat also can cause the burner will not turn off! Make sure the location is not in the cold or hot spots.
3. Make sure there is no defective valve!
4. And check the gas pressure; make sure it is not too strong. You can ask to utility supplying gas!

The unit cannot work powerful (there is no enough heat)

1. Wrong size of furnace (lower size). So make sure the furnace is properly sized. A baseboard heater that is installed in the too larger area will make the unit run not-powerful.
2. The temperature setting is too low. Raise it in order to generate more heat into the room.
3. Lower supply pressure! Check the supply pressure!

There is too much heat

1. Wrong size of furnace (over size)!
2. You set temperature setting at too high level.
3. Or the combination control valve does not work properly (stuck open)! If you feel this is the main reason why there is too much heat, then you have to replace it!

There is too loud noise when the unit running

1. This problem can be caused by wrong installation for some components of the unit.
2. Make sure the wall and the floor are square! Your direct-vent baseboard heater must be installed plumb.
3. The vent tube is installed too tightly in draft inducer (over-tightened).
4. And check also the performance of draft inducer! Make sure it is not defective!

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