What You Can Do When Your Furnace Stops Working

Have you tried turning on your heat recently only to discover that it isn't working? This is likely a problem that will require professional help to fix. However, you should first try these tips to try troubleshooting your furnace on your own.

Check The Power

The first thing you should do is check to make sure that electricity is running to the components of your HVAC system. Go to the thermostat and turn the fan on, which doesn't use the heating element and gets the air moving. If there is electricity flowing to the furnace, the fan should start spinning and push room-temperature air through the ductwork. If the fan doesn't kick on, then you know there is an issue with the power running to the furnace. 

You should then check how the furnace is getting electricity. There may be a switch that has been flipped that will turn the furnace on and off, a plug that has become unplugged, or a circuit breaker that has been tripped. Check those three things to ensure that the power is going to the furnace.

Check The Thermostat

You'll also want to check the thermostat settings. With smart thermostats setting the temperature for you, it's possible that the thermostat had a mind of its own and created some unrealistic heating settings. The heat may not be turning on because the thermostat is not in heating mode or because the temperature has been set incredibly low without you knowing it.

Check The Pilot Light

A gas furnace will require a pilot light to get the heat flowing. Unfortunately, a pilot light that is out will be unable to ignite the gas and produce the heat that you want. You should be able to look in the furnace to see if the pilot light is lit. If not, you can try lighting the pilot light and giving that a try. 

Check The Air Filter

A dirty furnace filter that hasn't been cleaned could be the cause of a furnace that is shutting down. If the heat inside the furnace gets too hot because the hot air is not able to easily pass through the filter, the furnace will overheat and shut down as a safety precaution. Change the air filter to make sure that it is clean and that air can flow freely, and then try turning on the furnace one more time to see if it works. 

For professional assistance, contact a company that offers heating repair services.

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