What to Do When Your Furnace Doesn’t Turn On
It can be frustrating to have a furnace that won’t turn on, especially during cold winter nights. In this post, R.A. Biel Plumbing and Heating, a renowned HVAC maintenance company, provides an overview of the most common reasons why your furnace might not turn on and troubleshoot your system.
Common Reasons Your Furnace Won’t Turn On
There are a number of reasons why your furnace may not be turning on. It could be an imprecise thermostat, a blown fuse or tripped breaker. That said, take the time to properly diagnose the problem or hire an expert to inspect it. Here are a few of the most common reasons a furnace won’t turn on:
- Thermostat Issues: If you have a digital or programmable thermostat, it could be malfunctioning and need recalibration. It might also be due to low batteries that need replacement.
- A Blown Fuse or Tripped Breaker: You can replace the fuse or reset the breaker and see if your system turns on. If the new fuse breaks or the breaker still shuts down, have an expert inspect the wiring and ensure there are no other issues before replacing the fuse or resetting the breaker again.
- Pilot Light Outage: The pilot light can go out due to age or dirt build-up. You’ll also need relight it. Have an expert team clean the dirt and debris, check the pilot light for issues, and relight it safely.
- Faulty Ignition: Ignition issues occur due to a build-up of dirt or corrosion and will need cleaning before it can start. Ignition failure could be due to other technical problems that an expert air duct cleaning and HVAC maintenance team can uncover with the right methods and equipment.
- Dirty or Clogged Filter: A blocked filter can prevent your furnace from turning on. Have your filters replaced and see if your system starts properly.
Troubleshooting Your Furnace
Take the time to diagnose your furnace to find the exact root cause. Here are several ways to do this.
- Check Your Thermostat: Have experts recalibrate and replace the thermostat’s batteries and see if it provides a precise output.
- Fuse and Breaker Inspections: Replace the fuse or reset the breaker after an expert inspects and gives you the all-clear signal. Only replace fuses or reset breakers once they tell you to do so.
- Relight the Pilot Light: If the pilot light has gone out, you will need to relight it for your furnace to work properly. Take proper safety checks and precautions and be careful of any gas concentration in the area when you do.
- Replace the Ignition: Faulty ignitions that repairs cannot fix will need a full replacement. Ask your HVAC technician team about the best replacements and the details of the replacement process.
- Clean or Replace the Filter: A dirty or clogged filter can prevent your furnace from turning on. Make sure to clean or replace the filter if necessary.
- Check Your Owner’s Manual: Your owner’s manual can provide specific instructions on diagnosing and fixing common issues. However, if a process requires special tools or equipment, leave it to professionals to do it.
We recommend scheduling a service call with a licensed professional. An HVAC repair technician has the expertise to diagnose the issue and carry out the necessary repairs. They’ll explain your furnace’s problems in a detailed yet easy-to-understand way and will have it functional after their service.
Signs You Need Expert Help
At the first sign of these issues, call an HVAC expert to have your system repaired and extend its lifespan and performance.
- Unusual Noises: Rattling, banging or squealing are indicators of serious issues. Technicians can inspect and determine if a loose or broken component is causing it.
- Unusual Odors: If you notice any strange odors coming from your furnace, it could mean you have a gas leak. Shut off the gas and furnace immediately and call a professional for emergency HVAC repair services.
- Lack of Heat: If your furnace fails to heat your rooms as it did before, you might have a blower motor or ductwork issue. A technician might also discover issues with your furnace’s heating element, so have them inspect it.
- Issues Not in the Manual: You might have a situation not described in the furnace manual’s troubleshooting section. When this happens, only technicians can inspect and determine the problem effectively.
Prolonging Your System’s Lifespan and Performance
Ongoing HVAC maintenance is the key to ensuring that your furnace works properly and efficiently. Here are several ways it can benefit you.
- Reduce Costly Repairs: Regularly changing the filter, cleaning out the blower assembly and checking for any signs of wear or damage can help keep your furnace in top condition and prevent costly repairs in the future.
- Professional Service: Have your furnace inspected and serviced yearly by an experienced HVAC technician to keep your system running safely and efficiently. Expert technicians check your system for potential parts, circuitry, heating problems and other causes, then address them before they worsen.
- Prolong Your System’s Lifespan: Identifying problems early extends your system’s lifespan and resilience. Small issues like minor refrigerant and condenser leaks can evolve into problems that affect the furnace’s performance and longevity. Furthermore, it ensures you have decent heating during winter.
- Peace of Mind: Furnaces need inspections before and after winter to ensure they can produce heat to keep your interiors comfortable. Maintenance after winter ensures you can put the system at a proper downtime with minimal wear and start-up issues once winter arrives once again.
Homeowners deserve the best furnace repair, troubleshooting and maintenance service from professionals with decades of experience and knowledge in your area. R.A. Biel Plumbing and Heating is a renowned air duct cleaning and furnace repair and installation company trusted by many homes and neighborhoods to care for their heating systems. Our team will go above and beyond to ensure your system works well without problems. Call us today at (505) 327-7755 or fill out this contact form to get a free estimate.
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