[Meganmchatman]

Hello my family just arrived at our new rental house and it's 28 degrees in here . We tried turning it off and its only blowing cold air . Then after a few minutes it stops . Please help I have 2 kids sitting in my van just to stay warm . I have a Goodman furnace, looks older can't see anywhere on here for a date. Trying to find out if the pilot musical it. Please somebody help me

 

[Meganmchatman]

I'm sorry if I'm doing this wrong, I just came across this site and and looking for help. My fingers are frozen and I need somebody please

 

[playpaukes]

Sounds like the hot surface igniter. It's a $25 dollar part and about a $200 service call. When the air is blowing and the hot surface igniter does not light the furnace will blow just cold air then shut down.

 

[playpaukes]

I would first check to see if the furnace lights up, if so then it's the thermostat. If you don't hear the clicking noise and the burners start, then it's the igniter.

 

[DOUG1111]

Is the gas turned on??????? Landlord may know a qurk?? Hotel & charge back to landlord??? Thermostat batteries strong???

 

[user_12345a]

Rental?

Call the landlord immediately, demand a functioning furnace!

28 degrees indicates it hasn't been heating for a long time; you probably have frozen pipes.

You shouldn't have to fix it yourself; in fact if you try the landlord could blame you for damaging it.

 

[Meganmchatman]

I know I wanted just to call them but they are really nice couple and if I didn't have to bother them I wasn't going to.
We're thinking it's the not lit.
How do I check to see if it lit?
How can I see if the gas is turned on?

 

[Meganmchatman]

Can anyone call me and help pls I can't type my hands are numb if you can private message me and I'll reply with my phone number

I was trying to post a video and I can't figure out how to attach it I recorded the full furnace viewing everything and from turning it on showing you the sounds it was making

 

[DOUG1111]

I know I wanted just to call them but they are really nice couple and if I didn't have to bother them I wasn't going to.
We're thinking it's the not lit.
How do I check to see if it lit?
How can I see if the gas is turned on?

You might have a gas meter outside. Please call the landlord if pipes freeze BIG BIG problems!! You tube videos might be helpful?? (Steven Lav youtube) What area are you in?? I'm in central Fl and @ 53* outside very cold.

 

[DOUG1111]

Can anyone call me and help pls I can't type my hands are numb if you can private message me and I'll reply with my phone number

I was trying to post a video and I can't figure out how to attach it I recorded the full furnace viewing everything and from turning it on showing you the sounds it was making

To post a video or pics you need to have more post- I don't know how many, but make more post- Let people know what area-may be someone close?? Also check out HVAC-TALK.COM - DIY not allowed but someone may be close to you??

 

[user_12345a]

I know I wanted just to call them but they are really nice couple and if I didn't have to bother them I wasn't going to.
We're thinking it's the not lit.
How do I check to see if it lit?
How can I see if the gas is turned on?

Call them; you got a new rental without heat, they legally have to deal with it - part of the job of being a landlord, it's not rude.

To check for gas see if the water heater is working; turn up the temp, see if it fires up.

Typically there's an observation window for newer goodman plastic vent piped furnaces, or for 80% ers you can look through the grill at the front, observe what's going on.

If you hear sparking or see the orange glow of an ignitor with no ignition, the furnace may have no gas.

You can also check the valve at the meter:

If it's off and locked or pinned, possible that the previous tenant wasn't paying the bill or the account was abandoned.

My inane question is: Did you set up the account with the utility? (assuming the landlord isn't paying for gas.

 

[Meganmchatman]

I would first check to see if the furnace lights up, if so then it's the thermostat. If you don't hear the clicking noise and the burners start, then it's the igniter.

Can you call me

 

[Meganmchatman]

Call them; you got a new rental without heat, they legally have to deal with it - part of the job of being a landlord, it's not rude.

To check for gas see if the water heater is working; turn up the temp, see if it fires up.

Typically there's an observation window for newer goodman plastic vent piped furnaces, or for 80% ers you can look through the grill at the front, observe what's going on.

If you hear sparking or see the orange glow of an ignitor with no ignition, the furnace may have no gas.

You can also check the valve at the meter:

If it's off and locked or pinned, possible that the previous tenant wasn't paying the bill or the account was abandoned.

My inane question is: Did you set up the account with the utility? (assuming the landlord isn't paying for gas.

Yes I just set the account in my name earlier today.

I kind of need a little help through each step you mentioned above.
Can you call me please

 

[Meganmchatman]

My location time temperature etc

I'm in Metro Detroit Michigan, its 1:38 a.m., and about 12 degrees outside. I can't call any local contractors it's too late. Also I can't afford it. I will call my new landlord if I have to but she is a very nice woman and if I can resolve this I would like to do. If I can't get a call to help me with these steps I will just go to the hotel

 

[DOUG1111]

I'm in Metro Detroit Michigan, its 1:38 a.m., and about 12 degrees outside. I can't call any local contractors it's too late. Also I can't afford it. I will call my new landlord if I have to but she is a very nice woman and if I can resolve this I would like to do. If I can't get a call to help me with these steps I will just go to the hotel

I am sorry but I know very little about gas heat /Fl mostly electric heat. Get post count up to send pics etc & then you will need to go to. (Go Advance) Another idea look @ other post to find someone in your area. Still some good people in the world- If you were within 20 miles of me I would come & fix for free-if I knew about gas. Another idea www.goodmanmfg.com

 

[Meganmchatman]

Here is the video link

 

[user_12345a]

Take a look at the water heater - you see that black round knob i saw on the video?

Turn it all the way up and see if it fires up, you'll hear the flow of gas.

Go out to the gas meter with a flash-light and check the valve like in the picture.

This is one in the closed position:

Rings lining up is open position.

Possible the gas company never turned it on; if it doesn't have a pin or lock in the holes you could try to turn it on, need pliers or something. Otherwise don't try, you could get in big trouble.

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As far as the furnace goes, the bottom panel has a window with a visible light -> should flash several times, after it shuts off, count the flashes and post back.

Would have to remove the cover to tell what's happening for real.

Honestly, the only thing you could do is make sure the gas is on, there could be a flame sensor which could be cleaned -> but forget about parts.

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[user_12345a]

One important thing I forgot to mention:

If you leave the house without heat, don't tell the landlord and a pipe bursts, you could be held liable for not reporting the no heat.

Water freezing expands, really stresses the pipes.

If you go to a hotel, do yourself a favour and turn off the water to the house as a precaution. Find the main shutoff valve for the house.

At least if the house makes it above freezing, say from sun in the morning, with a damaged pipe you won't get a flood.



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Oven is okay if you watch it, another thing you could do is turn on all the lights. If your light bulbs are regular (not cfl or led), an entire house can be equal to a space heater or more. (the oven is eqaul to around two heaters) It won't get the house warm, possibly keep it above freezing.

 

[DOUG1111]

On your video I dont think you had the thermostat on HEAT??

 

[DOUG1111]

am thinking the reason ask about the water heater is to know if the gas is on