Few things get your attention faster than realizing your house is getting colder and the furnace apparently has other plans.
If you suddenly have no heat in your house, the problem does not always mean your heating system has completely failed. A thermostat setting, tripped breaker, dirty filter or another relatively simple issue can sometimes prevent your furnace from operating properly.
Before scheduling an HVAC repair, there are several basic checks homeowners can safely perform.
Start with the thermostat because, inconveniently, sometimes the most expensive-looking problem starts with one tiny setting.
Make sure your thermostat is:
If your thermostat uses batteries, replace them if needed.
After adjusting the temperature, give the system a few minutes to respond. Some heating systems have built-in delays before starting.
If the thermostat is completely blank and changing the batteries does not help, there may be an electrical or system issue that requires further inspection.
Your furnace requires electricity even if it uses natural gas or propane to produce heat.
Look for the furnace power switch, which is typically located on or near the furnace. It often resembles a standard household light switch.
Make sure it has not accidentally been turned off.
You should also check your home’s electrical panel for a tripped furnace breaker.
If the breaker has tripped, you can reset it once.
If it immediately trips again, do not continue resetting it. Repeatedly tripping breakers can indicate an electrical problem that should be inspected by a qualified professional.
A heavily clogged furnace filter can restrict airflow through your heating system.
When airflow becomes too restricted, the furnace can overheat and activate its safety controls, causing the system to shut down.
Remove the filter and inspect it.
If it is covered in dust or debris, replace it with the correct size and type recommended for your furnace.
Regular filter replacement can help:
During the Ontario heating season, it is worth checking your furnace filter regularly, particularly in homes with pets, renovations or higher dust levels.
If your furnace appears to be running but certain areas of your house are cold, check your vents.
Furniture, rugs, curtains, boxes and other household items can restrict airflow without anyone noticing.
Make sure both supply vents and return-air vents are open and unobstructed.
You should also pay attention to what is coming from the vents.
If there is airflow but the air feels cool, the problem may be related to the furnace’s ignition, burners, controls or another internal component.
Your furnace may provide some useful clues about what is happening.
Go near the system and listen when it attempts to start.
You may notice:
These symptoms can point toward problems involving ignition components, motors, flame sensors, electrical controls or other parts of the heating system.
At this stage, avoid removing furnace panels or trying to repair internal components yourself.
Gas furnaces combine electricity, fuel and combustion inside one metal box. That is not where creative experimentation belongs.
Short cycling happens when a furnace turns on, runs briefly and then shuts off before properly heating your home.
It may repeat this cycle throughout the day.
Possible causes include:
If replacing a dirty filter does not solve the issue, an HVAC technician should inspect the system.
Repeated short cycling can increase wear on furnace components while also preventing your home from reaching a comfortable temperature.
Some heating problems should not be treated as routine troubleshooting.
Stop using the furnace and seek professional assistance if you notice:
If you suspect a gas leak or carbon monoxide problem, leave the home and contact your gas provider or emergency services from a safe location.
Do not attempt to locate or repair the source yourself.
During an Ontario winter, a furnace failure can quickly become more than an inconvenience.
If your heating system is not working, keep exterior doors and windows closed and avoid unnecessary heat loss.
If temperatures continue to fall significantly, you may also need to take steps to protect plumbing in vulnerable areas of your home.
Avoid using outdoor heaters, barbecues, gas stoves or other appliances that are not designed for indoor heating. These can create dangerous fire or carbon monoxide risks.
Portable electric heaters can provide temporary warmth when used properly, but they should be kept away from curtains, furniture and other combustible materials.
If you’ve checked your thermostat, furnace power, breaker, filter and vents and your home still has no heat, the issue likely requires professional diagnosis.
An HVAC technician can inspect the furnace and determine whether the problem involves components such as:
Finding the actual cause matters.
Replacing random furnace parts until something starts working is less a repair strategy and more an expensive scavenger hunt.
If you’ve suddenly got no heat in your house, Vive Brant can help identify the cause and get your heating system working again.
Our HVAC professionals provide furnace repair in Brantford and surrounding communities, including troubleshooting for furnaces that won’t start, aren’t producing heat, keep shutting down or are experiencing other heating problems.
We can inspect the system, explain what is causing the issue and recommend the appropriate repair.
Need help with a furnace that isn’t heating your home? Contact Vive Brant to schedule furnace service.
