Why Is My Goodman Furnace Pressure Switch Stuck Open?

If your furnace is showing an open pressure switch error, don’t panic! While the pressure switch is an important safety feature, an open pressure switch is usually an easy and inexpensive fix.

An open pressure switch can be the result of a disconnected pressure switch hose, blocked venting, or a failing pressure switch. By fixing these issues, your pressure switch should begin to work how it should. If it doesn’t, you may need to replace it or hire a specialist.

In this article, we will discuss what exactly a pressure switch is and the common issues that could leave it stuck open. By fixing these problems, you should restore your switch so that it can work like new!

During the combustion process, your furnace creates excess gases that you don’t want sticking around and filling your home. The pressure switch is a safety feature on your furnace that helps keep this unpleasant situation from happening.

The pressure switch ensures that these gases exit your home and don’t get cycled back into the system, which is known as back drafting. Backdrafting can release carbon monoxide into the air and cause mini-explosions inside of your furnace. Of course, these are both situations that you certainly don’t want to happen, so it’s critical to investigate immediately!

If the pressure switch senses negative pressure from the draft inducer motor, it will shut the furnace down. Obviously, when this happens, your furnace is no longer creating any hot air. This is an especially big problem during the cold winter months, so it’s essential to quickly solve the issue.

You may have a blocked flue pipe that is preventing gases from properly exiting your house. If this is the case, your pressure switch will open. This is a fairly common problem as flue pipes can become easily clogged with debris from outside.

Luckily, flue pipes can be easily cleaned, and they are usually located on the roof or side of the house. Once you clear away all of the reachable debris, turn on your furnace again to see if this has fixed the problem.

If this doesn’t solve the issue, your best bet is to call a professional. There may be a clog deeper in the flue pipe that isn’t easily accessible.

If neither of the above reasons seems to be causing the issue, you most likely have a problem with your actual pressure switch. It is likely that the switch is old, has dust buildup, has a stiffened pressure switch diaphragm, or there may be holes or tears in the diaphragm.

If you find that the problem is with the actual pressure switch, then you will most likely need the help of an expert. You should call a professional to deal with this issue and replace the pressure switch if necessary.

Furnace pressure switches vary from furnace to furnace. There is one pressure switch in single-stage conventional furnaces. In these furnaces, one hose connects the pressure switch to the draft inducer fan.

There is one pressure switch with two hoses in single-stage condensing furnaces. One hose senses the pressure at the draft inducer fan. The second hose senses proper venting pressure at the condensate collector box.

There are usually two pressure switches on two-stage furnaces. Two-stage furnaces have both high and low levels of heat output that allow for even heat distribution in different seasons.

Your furnace pressure switch may be open because of a disconnected pressure switch hose, blocked venting, or a failing pressure switch. Fixing this usually proves to be easy and inexpensive.

When your furnace is in use, gases are created in the combustion chamber. The pressure switch prevents these poisonous gases from leaking into your house. You can test your pressure switch’s effectiveness with a multimeter and replace the switch easily if needed.

There are several types of furnace pressure switches that can replace your old one. Each type goes with a specific type of furnace to make sure your air is clean. A properly functioning pressure switch will keep you breathing easy!