Furnace Not Turning On? Here’s What to Check First

The last thing a homeowner wants to experience is a situation where their heater fails to turn on, no matter what they do!

The best news is that some of these problems can be fixed without the intervention of a professional; however, others require the service of the right team. In this article, we will examine the steps to take when your furnace fails to turn on.

Things To Check When The Heater Won’t Turn On

Heating systems are beyond luxury, especially during cold days. When your furnace fails to turn on, even after multiple attempts, it’s essential to identify the root cause of the issue. Thankfully, the stove may start working with just minor adjustments. First, check the thermostat, which is the brain of the system.

If it’s not working, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the furnace is not starting as well. Secondly, check for the correct mode. Ensure the thermostat is calibrated to Heat or Auto; if it’s set to Cool or Off, the system may not work. Additionally, locate the temperature settings and turn them to a higher setting than their correct reading. For instance, if it’s 60°F, change it to 70°F. This change and extra push can signal the furnace to start working.

The batteries might also be the culprit because many of the new advanced thermostats run on batteries; therefore, if the batteries are low or dead, the system will not turn on. Change the batteries with new ones. Keep in mind that some thermostats can freeze like your gadgets, so the best thing to do here is to prop it off the wall and reset it. 

Click here to gain more insight into how to maintain your furnace. 

Ensure the Power is On

Whether it’s a gas or oil furnace, they all need electricity to run fans and safety controls. One of the common reasons the system won’t turn on is power issues. Locate the power button and turn it on; perhaps the system was bumped off by accident. Open the electrical panel and check the circuit breaker.

It might be in the middle or off position; turn it back on. If you are living in an old home, you may be using fuses. Check whether they’re black or broken and replace them with the same type and rating. One thing to note is that if your breaker keeps tripping even after resetting, it’s a sign of a problem; therefore, contact a professional company to do a thorough check on it.

Check the Air Filter

If your filter is dirty, it can affect the heating system. First, depending on the type of system you have, check inside the furnace or behind the return vent in the hallway. Inspect the filter in a bright area to check if it’s clogged. Clogged filters can reduce airflow and make the furnace overheat and eventually shut down. Ideally, filters are supposed to be changed every three months. After changing the filter, ensure you close the furnace door tightly because some products may not work unless the safety switch is pressed shut.

Visit https://www.wikihow.com/Change-Your-Air-Filter to learn more about how to change the air filter.

Check for Warning Signs

When checking the heater, activate your senses. Analyze whether you can perceive if there is a burning dust smell. It’s normal for the system to omit a faint dusty smell after turning it on for the first time in the season. However, if it’s strong or smoky and doesn’t go away, turn it off and contact a professional. If you perceive a smell of rotten egg, that’s an emergency situation; leave the house immediately and call your gas company.

Avoid restarting the heater yourself. If it doesn’t make any noise or does not smell, the culprit might probably be the power; check the thermostat or a blown fuse. This problem is often an electrical issue, or the safety switch has tripped. Don’t attempt to do anything yourself and wait for the right team to handle the issue.

Safety Switches and Sensors

Advanced furnaces are manufactured with different safety checks, and if any of them is triggered, it will automatically shut the system down and prevent it from starting until the issue is fixed. Once you discover the furnace is overheating, shut it down. Shut off the gas if no flame is detected to prevent an explosion.

Turn off the furnace if the exhaust gases are not venting properly. The most common scenario where clogged vents occur is when birds or wasps nest and block the blue pipes, preventing unsafe gases from escaping. The furnace will just lock itself out. This is not a problem you can handle on your own; call an HVAC technician to reset and clear it.

Pilot Light or Ignition Issues

Old furnace models are built with a small pilot light that helps ignite the burners. When the pilot is out, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the access panel. If it continues going out, it might be an issue with the safety sensor. The advanced models utilize electronic ignition, and if the ignition fails, it will require the service of the right technician.

It’s Time to Call a Professional

After trying all the troubleshooting tips mentioned above, the furnace still didn’t turn on. Contact companies like Alpine Mechanical Services instantly and explain some of the problems to them. Things you should keep in mind while on the call include breaker tripping, fuses blowing, a gas smell, and a pilot that won’t stay lit. The furnace is making strange noises like banging or clicking, you have replaced the filters properly, and it’s still not working.

To learn more about Alpine Mechanical Services, visit the address below:

Conclusion

It’s an unpleasant experience for your furnace not to turn on, especially on those cold nights. Thankfully, you can troubleshoot some of the issues, while others have to be left to professionals. With so many companies out there, do your research, check for reviews from past clients and ask for quotes from different companies so whenever you have an issue, you can contact them.