The best news is that some of these problems can be fixed without professional intervention; however, others require the services 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. 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 isn’t starting either. 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 set them to a higher value than their current 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, since many advanced thermostats run on batteries; 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 for more insight into maintaining 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 this article on Wiki how 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.

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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.

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During the winter months, most homeowners work extremely hard to keep the inside of their residences warm and comfortable. The only way to keep the inside of a home warm when temperatures outside are frigid is with the help of a reliable heating unit. Nearly 72% of the homes in the United States have heating units that are over five years old.

The older a heating unit gets, the harder it will be to keep it functional. The furnace is one of the most important components your heating unit has. Without a functional furnace, your system will be able to produce warm air. Here are some common furnace problems and what can be done to address them.

1. Constant Cycling is Never a Good Thing

The heating system in your home is designed to come on when the thermostat settings are adjusted. Once the temperature on the thermostat is achieved, your heating unit will turn off. However, if your heating unit is coming on and going off repeatedly, you are probably experiencing airflow problems. If the air filters in your unit are dirty, air will be unable to pass through them.

This can create problems that involve your unit cycling on and off repeatedly. Changing your air filters once every two months is a great way to avoid this problem. If you change these filters and are still dealing with these problems, then contacting professionals for help is crucial. Usually, professionals that provide tank water heater repair service will also repair furnaces. With their help, you can pinpoint and resolve these issues quickly.

2. Your Furnace Isn’t Blowing Air

Once your furnace heats the air pulled in from outdoors, it is the job of the blower to move it through your vents. If you don’t feel air coming from these vents, then a damaged blower might be to blame. Over time, the blower attached to your furnace can become clogged with debris. Hiring professionals to remove this debris is the best way to restore functionality to this essential party.

3. Rattling Noises Coming From Your Furnace

In most cases, a furnace will be relatively quiet during operation. The older a furnace gets, the more problems it will ultimately have. If you start to notice a rattling or pinging noise coming from your furnace, you need to figure out what is causing this problem. Loose panels on your furnace can be to blame for rattling noises. Pinging noises are often caused by ductwork issues. Allowing professionals to inspect your furnace is a great way to figure out how to address your problems.

4. Problems With Your Pilot Light

Gas furnaces need a pilot light to produce heat. If you start to notice the pilot light is weak, flickering or an odd color, you are probably dealing with excess carbon monoxide levels. In most cases, the only way to fix this problem is by having your pilot light mechanism replaced by professionals.

5. Cold Air Coming From Your Vents

If you have your heat turned on but only feel cold air coming from your vents, your furnace is obviously damaged. This can be caused by a tripped breaker or internal furnace problems. An experienced HVAC technician can inspect your furnace and assess whether it needs to be replaced.

As soon as you notice one or more of the problems mentioned here, you need to reach out to knowledgeable professionals for assistance.