When your furnace stops working, it doesn’t always mean you’re facing a major repair. Sometimes the cause is something relatively simple, such as an incorrect thermostat setting, a tripped breaker or a dirty furnace filter.
Before calling for furnace repair, there are a few basic things homeowners can safely check.
If your furnace still isn’t working after going through these steps, it may be time to have the system inspected by a qualified HVAC technician.
1. Check Your Thermostat
Start with the simplest possibility: your thermostat. Make sure it is set to Heat rather than Cool or Off, and set the temperature several degrees higher than the current temperature in your home. If your thermostat uses batteries, replacing them is also worth trying. A thermostat with weak or dead batteries may not properly communicate with your heating system. If the thermostat screen is blank even after replacing the batteries, there may be another electrical issue affecting the system.
2. Check the Furnace Power Switch
Most furnaces have a dedicated power switch located on or near the furnace. Because it often looks like a regular light switch, it can occasionally be turned off accidentally, particularly if the furnace is located in a basement, utility room or storage area. Confirm that the switch is in the ON position. If it is already on, avoid repeatedly switching the furnace on and off. If the system is failing to start, there may be another issue that needs to be diagnosed.
3. Check Your Electrical Panel
Your furnace is connected to your home’s electrical system, even if it operates using natural gas. Check your electrical panel to see whether the furnace breaker has tripped. If it has, you can reset the breaker once. However, if the breaker trips again, leave it off and contact an HVAC or electrical professional. A breaker that repeatedly trips can indicate an electrical problem and shouldn’t simply be reset over and over.
4. Take a Look at Your Furnace Filter
A dirty furnace filter can restrict airflow through your heating system. When airflow becomes severely restricted, some furnaces may overheat and shut themselves down as a safety precaution. Remove the filter and check whether it is visibly clogged with dust and debris. If it is dirty, replace it with the appropriate filter for your furnace. Furnace filters should generally be checked regularly throughout the heating season, especially in homes with pets, renovations, heavy dust or higher furnace usage. A clean filter doesn’t just help your furnace operate properly. It can also improve airflow and reduce unnecessary strain on the system.
5. Make Sure Your Vents Aren’t Blocked
Walk through your home and check your supply and return vents. Furniture, rugs, boxes and other household items can sometimes block vents without homeowners realizing it. While one blocked vent usually won’t cause a furnace to completely stop working, severely restricted airflow throughout the home can contribute to heating problems and put additional strain on the system. Try to keep vents open and unobstructed so air can circulate properly.
6. Listen to What the Furnace Is Doing
Sometimes the way your furnace behaves provides clues about what is wrong. You might notice that: the furnace starts but shuts off quickly the blower runs but the air isn’t warm the furnace repeatedly turns on and off you hear clicking but the furnace doesn’t start the furnace is making unusual banging, rattling or grinding noises These symptoms can be related to several different components, including ignition systems, sensors, motors, electrical controls or airflow problems. This is generally the point where DIY troubleshooting should end. Modern furnaces contain electrical, gas and combustion components that should be diagnosed by someone trained to work on them safely.
7. Check Whether the Problem Is Becoming an Emergency
A furnace that simply isn’t heating properly usually gives you some time to arrange a service call. Certain situations are different. Stop troubleshooting and get professional assistance if you notice: a strong smell of natural gas a carbon monoxide alarm smoke coming from the furnace electrical burning smells sparking loud or unusual mechanical noises the furnace repeatedly shutting itself down If you suspect a gas leak or carbon monoxide problem, leave the home and contact the appropriate emergency or gas utility service from a safe location. Those aren’t situations where YouTube University needs another graduate. Furnace Still Not Working? If you’ve checked the thermostat, furnace switch, electrical panel, filter and vents and your furnace is still not working, there may be a problem inside the heating system that requires professional diagnosis. Vive Brant provides furnace repair in Brantford and surrounding communities, helping homeowners identify heating problems and get their systems operating properly again. Whether your furnace won’t start, isn’t producing enough heat or keeps shutting down unexpectedly, our HVAC professionals can inspect the system, determine what is causing the problem and recommend the appropriate repair. Need furnace repair in Brantford? Contact Vive Brant to schedule service.
