Why Won’t My Furnace Turn On?

woman bundled up in bed

Once things start to get a bit chilly outside, you might turn on your furnace to get a bit of boost of heat, especially at night. What happens if it doesn’t turn on? There are many problems that could be preventing your furnace from turning on. Some of them you can troubleshoot yourself, and others you’ll need professional help for. Here are the potential reasons that your furnace won’t turn on, what you can do about them, and when to seek professional help.

Your Thermostat Has Issues

The first place to check if your furnace won’t turn on, is the thermostat. Is it set properly? The temperature will need to be set higher than your home’s current temperature for it to turn on. More complicated thermostats may have other settings interfering with the furnace. You may need to get out your owner’s manual to find out if your thermostat is set correctly. Or, your HVAC professional can come and adjust it for you.

The Circuit Breaker is Out /Power Supply Issues

If you have an electric furnace, then the breaker on its circuit may have tripped, preventing the breaker from getting any power. The simple solution is to go and check the breakers and see if any have tripped. Some furnaces also have power switches, so check that as well.

Don’t have an electric furnace? Then consider if the propane or gas fuel to your furnace may have been interrupted. The propane tank may be empty. The valve for the gas line may be closed. If you are having issues with your furnace, contact us today so we can help you and and your family stay warm during the winter season.

checking thermostat

The Pilot Light is Out

Another thing to check on gas furnaces is whether the pilot light is on. You may have turned the pilot light off at the end of the cool season last year to preserve energy. If so, you’ll need to contact a professional to turn the pilot light back on.

Ignition Sensor

The signal from the thermostat may be getting to the furnace, and the furnace may be on, but it may still not turn on because the ignition sensor is broken or dusty. If you’re handy and you know how to safely get to the ignition sensor, you can clean it off and see if that will turn the furnace on. If not, you may need a professional to replace it.

Other Issues

There may be other issues with your furnace that are keeping it from turning on. These might include a full filter, a full condensate pan, a broken blower motor, and many more issues. Most of these need professional attention.

So, if you can’t figure it out, call the professionals to figure out why your furnace won’t turn on.

Sources:

https://asm-air.com/heating/furnace-wont-turn-on-furnace-troubleshooting/

https://www.pvhvac.com/blog/8-reasons-your-heat-wont-turn-on

https://larryandsons.com/blog/furnace/furnace-wont-turn-heres/#:~:text=If%20your%20furnace%20doesn\’t%20switch%20on%2C%20the%20circuit%20breaker,lost%20its%20programming%20or%20reset