What to Do When My Furnace Won’t Turn On
When the winter months come along, we’re all a little more thankful that our furnaces are keeping us cozy and warm. The frustrating part is when your furnace won’t turn on in the middle of a Scranton, PA, winter. For the fastest solution, contacting a trusted professional HVAC contractor is usually your best bet. However, there are a few components of your furnace system that you can check first.
There is no one reason why furnaces stop working, but we’ve highlighted a few solutions that might get you feeling warm again soon:
Check Your Circuit Breaker
Both gas furnaces and oil furnaces utilize electricity to turn on. A tripped circuit breaker can be a cause of a furnace outage with an easy fix. You can check that your circuits are turned to the “on” position in your breaker box to ensure that your furnace is receiving power.
Check Your Thermostat
If your furnace temporarily lost power, it may have reset the thermostat programming. If your thermostat has defaulted to a schedule or temperature, it could be inhibiting your furnace from turning on. You may need to reset your thermostat, especially if you have a smart thermostat.
Make sure that your thermostat is not battery-powered and in need of new batteries.
Check Your Furnace Filters
Your furnace requires a constant supply of air. If dirty furnace filters are impeding air intake, the furnace will not be able to push out hot air. Your furnace may not even turn on due to recognized fire hazards if it is not getting adequate airflow.
Check Your Pilot Light
The pilot light indicates that fuel is flowing to your furnace system. Most furnaces still have this indicator light. If the light is not on, your furnace has likely shut itself off to avoid leaking fuel. Your sensor or ignitor may need to be cleaned or replaced. This furnace repair should be handled by professionals and may have several origins.
Pilot light issues are commonly identified by the distinct sound of the furnace clicking on but not firing up.
Check Your Fuel Line
Ensure that the fuel line to the furnace itself is open and clear. If you have underground gas lines, leave the troubleshooting to a professional. Contact a furnace repair professional immediately if you smell fuel in or around your house.
You should not attempt many furnace services without consulting an HVAC expert. If you are having a fuel line issue, you should not try repairs yourself.
Contact a Professional
The issues your furnace is having may be more serious and require professional service to diagnose the problem. It is time to contact a professional if you suspect any of the following issues:
- Bad blower motor
- Wiring issues
- Faulty furnace installation
- Fuel leaks or blockages
- Furnace only ever starts after being reset
At T.E. Spall & Son, our HVAC experts can handle your furnace needs. We offer professional furnace replacement, installation, and repair services. Stay safe by letting a professional know when you are having HVAC issues.
CALL SPALL today if you have any type of issues with your furnace. We’ve been providing Scranton, PA and the surrounding area with high-quality HVAC services for decades. T.E. Spall & Son is here for all of your furnace repair needs. Contact us online or give us a call today at 570-282-3000 to speak with a professional.
