Three Steps To Take If Your Furnace Won't Turn On

Having no heat in the winter can be frustrating, and when the temperatures drop, it can even be dangerous. To keep your family safe and warm, be sure to have your heating system serviced regularly. If you notice that your furnace won't turn on, use the following tips to troubleshoot the system.

Check Your Breakers

In some cases, fixing your furnace can be as easy as flipping a switch. If your furnace isn't running at all, it may be due to a blow in the breaker. Locate your home's breaker box and look for any switches that are not completely in the "on" position. A switch that appears to be in between on and off is a sign of a breaker that's automatically shut off. This is typically due to some type of system overload, and it's your electrical system's way of preventing bigger problems. Flip the switch off and back on, and then check to see if your furnace starts working again. If the breaker shuts off frequently, you may need to contact a contractor to diagnose and solve the problem.

Check Your Filters

If your furnace is running but no warm air is coming from the vents, you may have clogged filters. The filters in your system collect dirt and dust, but leaving them unchecked can lead to blockages in your heating system. A simple change of the filter can resolve this problem. If the furnace is still not generating warm air after you've changed the filters, contact your HVAC contractor to determine if there is a more serious problem with your heating system.

Check Your Pilot Light

For gas heating systems, it's a good idea to check the pilot light for your furnace. If the pilot light is out, the furnace won't function properly. Having the pilot light out with gas still coming from the gas line can also lead to a dangerous situation in your home. When troubleshooting your furnace, be sure to check the pilot light. You may not feel comfortable reigniting the system, particularly if the heat has been out for an extended period of time. Your HVAC contractor can inspect the furnace and do a gas reading before lighting the pilot light to ensure your safety. For a pilot light that goes out frequently, check to make sure there are no drafts coming in from basement windows or doors that might be blowing the light out. This requires a simple fix: sealing the cracks that are causing the draft.

Your HVAC contractor can inspect the furnace, the thermostat, and all the other components of your heating system to ensure there are no other issues that might be causing your furnace to malfunction. To learn more, contact a company like Scott's Heating & Air Conditioning Services.