I believe I have located the problem with my old Luxaire Forced Air, Natural Gas Furnace.

The furnace fails to light, very randomly, when the temp drops below the thermostat setting. I noticed that the colder it gets, the more common the problem. I discovered that if I use my hair dryer, and just apply the heat to the thermocouple at the reset box for about 30 seconds, then push the reset, it lights up every time. If I do not slightly warm it, it will not light no matter how many times you push the reset.

I feel confident that I can change the thermocouple without much trouble, but just to be safe, I plan to wait a week so I can do it on a Tuesday morning. This way, if I screw something up, I can still get the tech to come out without having to pay an after hours fee.

What possible risks could there be in using my method of slightly warming, and starting the furnace this way until next Tuesday? Is there any reason why I should not wait the extra 6 days to attempt this replacement?

Thanks for you help!

Just get it fixed now. You are playing a game with a safety device.

Call another company that can get there sooner.

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Originally Posted by progunr

I believe I have located the problem with my old Luxaire Forced Air, Natural Gas Furnace.

The furnace fails to light, very randomly, when the temp drops below the thermostat setting. I noticed that the colder it gets, the more common the problem. I discovered that if I use my hair dryer, and just apply the heat to the thermocouple at the reset box for about 30 seconds, then push the reset, it lights up every time. If I do not slightly warm it, it will not light no matter how many times you push the reset.

I feel confident that I can change the thermocouple without much trouble, but just to be safe, I plan to wait a week so I can do it on a Tuesday morning. This way, if I screw something up, I can still get the tech to come out without having to pay an after hours fee.

What possible risks could there be in using my method of slightly warming, and starting the furnace this way until next Tuesday? Is there any reason why I should not wait the extra 6 days to attempt this replacement?

Thanks for you help!

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OK guys, I realize that this is a safety device. Here is why I'm not too concerned.

When it is just a little warmer, say 20 degrees outside and not 11 below zero, the thing works perfectly. No problem what so ever.

So, since it works perfectly at a little warmer temp, what possible harm could come from warming it just a little and starting it up when I have to?

Seriously, if it wasn't working right MOST of the time, I would have already called my hvac guy to come look at it.