My furnace won't ignite after a power outage in Surrey, what now?

Most furnaces will restart on their own after a power outage, but a few simple checks can get yours going before you call anyone.

Start with the basics. Make sure the power is fully restored and the furnace switch (usually a wall switch near the unit that looks like a light switch) is in the ON position. Check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker on the furnace circuit, and reset it once if needed. Then check the thermostat: confirm it is set to HEAT, the temperature is set above the current room temperature, and the batteries are fresh. A dead thermostat battery is a surprisingly common cause of a no-heat call.

Next, look at the furnace itself. Most modern high-efficiency furnaces have a small LED light on the control board that flashes a fault code. Count the flashes and check the legend on the inside of the furnace door; a lockout code often means the igniter tried several times, failed and shut down for safety. Many furnaces will reset if you turn the power switch off for 30 seconds and back on. Try that once.

Also check the furnace filter. A clogged filter can trigger a high-limit safety switch that prevents ignition. If the filter is grey and dense, replace it before you reset the unit.

If None of That Works

A power surge during an outage can damage the control board, the inducer motor or the igniter itself. Igniters are fragile ceramic components that crack easily, and a surge is enough to do it. Repairs for a failed igniter typically run $250 to $500 in Metro Vancouver; a control board replacement can reach $600 to $900 or more, depending on the furnace model and age.

If the furnace is more than 15 to 18 years old and the repair cost is approaching $1,000, it is worth getting a replacement quote at the same time. A high-efficiency gas furnace replacement in Metro Vancouver runs roughly $5,500 to $11,000 installed, which includes the new unit, venting, labour and permits.

Speaking of permits: any gas work on a furnace in Surrey requires a permit from Technical Safety BC, not the City. The contractor you hire must be licensed as a gas contractor with Technical Safety BC; confirm that licence number before anyone touches the gas line or burner assembly.

One safety note: if you smell gas at any point, do not reset anything. Leave the building immediately and call emergency services from outside.

For the repair itself, a proper written quote should spell out the diagnosed fault, the exact part being replaced, the labour rate, whether the permit fee is included, and the warranty on both parts and labour. Ask specifically whether WorkSafeBC coverage is in place. Once you have that in writing from two or three contractors, you are in a much better position to decide whether to repair or replace.

Local HVAC contractors can be matched to your Surrey address for free through Vancouver HVAC Pro, so you can have those written quotes in hand quickly.