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Carrier furnaces are a popular option for homeowners in the US. They provide several features to make your home more comfortable, including an easy-to-use interface and intuitive controls.
We often encounter Carrier furnace error code 42 when inspecting or repairing a Carrier furnace.
The error will likely occur when the blower motor gets overheated and stops working.
As a result, it won’t be able to blow air into the furnace area, triggering the error code 42.
How does this happen? The blower motor is usually controlled by a circuit board that could get damaged if it has been too close to excessive heat for too long.
This is where some people make mistakes because they don't turn off the power switch before servicing their old Carrier furnace!
Carrier furnaces are often found in residential houses, and many people have difficulty understanding their error codes.
With the help of this guide, you will be able to understand Carrier furnace error code 42.
Carrier furnaces emit two types of error codes: heating and cooling errors. The most common heating code is 42, which means that the sensor has failed or the circuit board is not receiving power.
The following are the steps to troubleshoot Carrier furnace error code 42:
1. Check for loose wires and connections. Ensure that there is good contact at all the terminals, buttons and plugs. If there is no loose connection, check for broken wires. Also, ensure that the terminal is in good contact with the breakers or wiring box.
2. On some units, if the blower does not work, replace it with a new one and see if 42 will turn off. This usually happens when we have had too many cycles on our blower motor where we need to replace them every 100,000 hours (around 2-3 years).
3a: Ensure proper voltage comes into your home with a multimeter set to volts DC (volt direct current). If it reads anything less than 170 volts DC, then call an electrician immediately
"Inspections, Installations, Repairs & Maintenance"
Below is a CANRO technician's perspective on furnaces as they apply in Metro Vancouver: what to look for, what to avoid, and what to expect. Carrier is American (founded 1915, invented modern A/C), best known for its Infinity 98 variable-speed modulating gas furnace and Greenspeed cold-climate heat pump. The brand's strengths are broad parts availability across Metro Vancouver, strong dealer training network, well-engineered combustion.
Metro Vancouver's coastal climate brings salt-laden air to coastal neighbourhoods (Steveston, Tsawwassen, White Rock) that accelerates outdoor coil corrosion — an important factor in equipment selection and placement. CANRO has worked with Carrier systems across Metro Vancouver since 1999, from older retrofits in Ladner and Norgate to new builds in Yaletown and Thompson. Carrier is generally a strong fit for mainstream Vancouver homes prioritising parts availability and balanced cost-vs-performance.
Sizing. Proper furnace sizing requires a Manual J load calculation — most Vancouver homes need 50,000-90,000 BTU, but oversized furnaces short-cycle, accelerate component wear and produce uneven temperatures.
Lifespan. A well-maintained high-efficiency gas furnace lasts 15-20 years in Vancouver. The single biggest factor in lifespan is annual professional servicing — combustion analysis, condensate trap cleaning, and igniter inspection prevent 80% of mid-life failures.
Warning signs. A failing furnace usually announces itself: short-cycling, yellow flame (should be blue), rising gas bills, uneven heating between rooms, banging on startup, or persistent error codes on the control board.
Over 25+ years of Carrier service calls across Metro Vancouver, the recurring issues we see are: pressure-switch faults on 90%+ models, inducer-motor failure at the 10-12 year mark, condensate-drain freeze in unconditioned spaces.
Parts availability. Carrier parts are stocked at multiple Lower Mainland wholesalers, so emergency repairs rarely wait more than a day.
Short-cycling typically indicates one of: an over-sized furnace for the home, a dirty flame sensor, a clogged condensate drain triggering shutdown, low gas pressure, a failing limit switch, or a thermostat located in a non-representative spot (in direct sunlight, near a vent). All are diagnosed quickly during a service call.
Yes. Annual professional servicing catches 80% of mid-life failures before they cause a no-heat call. It also keeps manufacturer warranties valid — most are voided by missing scheduled maintenance. The service includes combustion analysis, heat-exchanger inspection, flame-sensor cleaning, blower-motor check, condensate-trap clearing, and a full safety test for carbon monoxide.
For Metro Vancouver homes, 95-97% AFUE is the sweet spot — high enough to qualify for FortisBC rebates and capture nearly all available efficiency gains, but without paying a premium for the very last 1-2% from 98% AFUE modulating units. ENERGY STAR-certified models above 95% AFUE are required for current rebate programs.
Two-stage furnaces (high/low burner) are a good fit for most Vancouver homes — they cut short-cycling and run quieter than single-stage units. Modulating furnaces (continuously variable burner output) are worth the premium in larger homes (3,000+ sq ft), homes with significant temperature zones, or homes prioritising the absolute quietest operation.
A typical residential high-efficiency gas furnace installation in Metro Vancouver costs $4,500-$8,500 including the equipment, venting, gas-line work, permit, electrical, and removal of the old unit. Variable-speed and modulating models are at the upper end. CANRO provides three quote tiers (good/better/best) so you can choose the right balance for your home and budget.
Yes — for most Metro Vancouver homes, a cold-climate heat pump alone provides 100% of heating needs down to -10°C. Some homeowners choose a dual-fuel setup (heat pump + small gas furnace as back-up for the rare deep cold snap), but this is rarely necessary in our climate.
To book Carrier furnace service or get a free written quote for installation, call CANRO at (604) 359-1081 or email info@canroheat.ca. We service all of Metro Vancouver including Ladner, Norgate, Yaletown and Thompson.
This guide was written by the CANRO Heating & Cooling team based on 25+ years of furnace installation, repair and annual service work across Metro Vancouver. Last reviewed May 2026.
“Canro does an amazing job! Super professional and skilled with everything—boilers, furnaces, and AC. Always a pleasure working with them!”
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25+ years keeping Metro Vancouver homes comfortable. Honest advice, upfront pricing, work that lasts.