Hello World! Welcome Friends! You have been looking forward to a warm toasty evening after a hard day. The winter chill is at its peak, and the cold seems to have permeated your very core. But the problem is, the furnace won’t turn on. Now, you are trying to see how many layers you can wear to keep warm.
You may also not know that frigid temperatures can cause structural damage. Your pipes could freeze, leading to cracks.
Condensation will cause wood to rot or warp. The attendant cost of repair work could set you back a pretty penny.
What you are experiencing is nothing new. Sometimes the furnace will not come on for several reasons. Don’t worry, though. We have some furnace troubleshooting tips you can try.
We further recommend that you get professional HVAC services in the morning to avoid further disappointments.
1. The Circuit Breaker Could Be the Issue
The circuit breaker could be the number one culprit for the furnace not turning on. To rectify this problem, check that the circuit is in the ON position. If not, that could indicate that there was a trip due to an electrical overload.
The tripping of the circuit breaker plays a critical role. It will protect electrical appliances during power surges. The same applies when there is too much demand for output, resulting in a system overload.
In such a case, no other electrical devices within the home will be working. In this case, all you need to do is turn it back on, and it should be good to go.
There is one point you should note, though. If the circuit immediately goes back to the off position, then you could be facing a much larger problem. At this point, the only solution is to get in the electricians. Under no condition should you force the circuit breaker to stay in the on position by taping it into place.
2. Take a Look at the Ignition Sensor
The ignition sensor plays a very critical role. It is the one that is responsible for the furnace heat exchanger doing its work. And that is to heat the cold air. If your furnace won’t turn on, see what condition the sensor ignition is in. Dirt or grime build-up will interfere with its ability to sense the cold air.
Yet, it could be a simple solution to fix the furnace heater. It would help if you let furnace repair companies manage this furnace troubleshooting aspect. They will typically take two routes to correct the issue. The first is to clean it to remove the dirt. If the experts find that it is not in good condition, they may recommend a total replacement.
3. The Heat Exchanger May Need Fixing or Replacing
Furnaces have a high-limit switch. What it does is turn off the blower fan when the temperature gets too high. If you notice constant tripping of the high limit switch, there is a problem with the heat exchanger.
In this case, the furnace will go into lockout mode as a protective measure. You will have to call in the experts to service the furnace. After this, they will reset it as a precautionary measure.
Note that the hot and cold air in the furnace causes the expansion and contraction of metallic parts. Over time, the exchanger may crack. In this case, the only option is a total unit replacement.
4. Check the Thermostat Setting
The thermostat in your furnace is the one that senses the room temperature. When it gets cold, the furnace should turn on and vice versa. Now, you may experience a case where the furnace turns on, but no heat comes out of it.
The first thing you should do is check that you have the correct thermostat settings. As we’ve already hinted, this will determine whether it kicks in as it should, depending on the ambient temperature.
Another thing you should do when the thermostat won’t turn on heat is to inspect its settings. Ensure that you set it to heat mode. Do take note of the current room temperature. Now place the thermostat to a slightly higher temperature. If you leave the current mode on vacation, hold or cool position, it will not kick in as it should.
Also, update the scheduling to reflect the proper temperature settings, date, and time. Finally, don’t forget to clean up a little bit. Like the other parts of the furnace, dirt and debris build-up disrupt the system, especially if on the electrical wiring.
5. Power Interruption to the Thermostat
The thermostat could be another reason why the furnace won’t ignite. It could be due to a malfunction that interferes with the proper running of the device. A simple reset can restart the programming, thus allowing it to ignite.
The type of thermostat will also determine the action you take. Some operate using electrical power supplies. Others draw their power from batteries. In the latter case, the first thing you should check is whether the batteries are working.
It is easy to tell whether the thermostat is receiving any power. The first place you should look at is the display. A blank display should tell you it is not.
Even those batteries that rely on electricity or power may have batteries as a backup. If the electrical system keeps on tripping, it could drain the battery. Do check if this troubleshooting tip works.
If you notice any signs of corrosion, misplaced or damaged wires, call in the HVAC techs. They will take the relevant corrective action to get your furnace on again.
6. Clean the Air Filters
Air filters are a critical component of furnaces. Without them, dust and other environmental debris would make their way into your home through the furnace. Think about them much like the air filter in your car.
Over time, dirt will build up and could result in clogging. The clogging will reduce the efficiency of your furnace. It is one of the reasons the furnace turns on, but no heat comes out of it.
What you may also notice is that the furnace becomes excessively hot. What is happening is that the dirt build-up is restricting airflow. Yet, the heat exchanger needs it to stay cool.
The furnace will automatically shut down when the temperature gets to critical levels. That is a protective measure that helps avoid an explosion due to excessive temperatures. Replacing the air filter does not require expert-level attention.
All you need to do is identify where it is. You will find it right where the cold air enters the furnace. A simple visual inspection will let you know how dirty the air filter is.
You could also do the light test. Hold up the filter against a source of light. If the rays cannot penetrate through the filter, it is time to replace it. Please take note of the filter details. You will need the information when buying the replacement one.
7. Pay Attention to the Furnace Pilot Light
The pilot light lets you know whether there is propane or gas in your furnace. In case of an interruption of the air flow, the furnace will go off. It is another critical protective function that the system provides you. It ensures the gas will not leak into the atmosphere.
If the pilot light is lit but furnace won’t kick on, do not try and take on this repair work on your own. Let trained technicians handle this part of the work.
In other instances, the pilot light won’t stay lit. The situation remains even after turning the power on and then off. Ideally, this should reset the system allowing for a quick resolution to simple problems. But if the pilot light still refuses to stay on, it is time for a deeper exploration of the problem.
Start the furnace troubleshooting by turning it off. Look at the elements to see whether there is any damage or misplaced wires. For the untrained eye, it can be hard to know what to look for. The best and safest course of action is to call the experts as soon as possible.
8. Gas Furnace Troubleshooting
If your gas furnace does not come on, please ensure that it is receiving gas. Did you perhaps forget to turn it back on after the summer season? If that is not the problem, it could be an issue with the overall gas supply.
Like in the case of the electrical appliances, check that the other gas appliances are working. If you turn the oven knob and it does not light up, there could be a gas supply interruption to your home.
Call the gas company to find out if there is an issue. They will send someone to check if everything is alright. To remain safe, turn off or isolate the gas supply. Not taking the necessary precautions could put you in danger of fires due to leaking gas.
Final Thoughts
Imagine coming home on a cold winter day and finding that the furnace will not go on. The stress and inconvenience are not something you want to think about.
The best advice any furnace company can give is to keep up with routine maintenance. Yet, it doesn’t hurt to know some furnace troubleshooting tips.
We have shared some critical things you need to know above. Yet we feel that it is important to emphasize one point. Let the experts handle some of the more complex issues.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
3 Things You Should Know About Garage Door Maintenance
Benefits of Buying a Ranch Home
Investing in Rental Properties
Make Your House Feel Like Home
Improve the Exterior Appearance of Your House
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Toodles,
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