Living in Chicagoland means needing a reliable furnace because it has to work hard to combat the outdoor temperatures we get for months out of the year. When your furnace won’t turn on, a common reaction might be to panic, especially if the temperature inside your home has already dropped.
Finding the cause behind why your furnace isn’t working properly might be as simple as an incorrect setting or a tripped breaker, but it might also be part of a larger issue with your heating system. Before starting to research new furnaces, take some time to understand exactly what your furnace is doing, or not doing. You might find that there’s an easy fix or determine that it’s time to call in a professional.
What to Check First if Your Furnace Won’t Start
Here are a few simple checks you can do to rule out the most common causes of why your furnace isn’t turning on. Even if you can’t fix the issue yourself, taking the time to do some basic troubleshooting can give you valuable information to pass on to the HVAC tech.
Your Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat might not be communicating properly with your furnace. Make sure your thermostat is set to Heat, and the target temperature is higher than the current temperature. You might also need to replace the batteries if your thermostat uses them. If everything looks correct and your furnace still isn’t turning on, you may need a professional diagnosis.
The Power Supply
Your furnace needs electricity to run its controls and other components, even if it uses natural gas to produce heat, so an electrical issue could be keeping it from turning on. Check the power switch to make sure it hasn’t been accidentally turned off, and check your electrical panel for a tripped circuit breaker. For either issue, try resetting it, but don’t reset your breaker repeatedly if it trips again. This can indicate a recurring electrical problem that needs professional attention. For safety, do not attempt to repair electrical issues yourself.
Check the Door or Access Panel
Many furnaces have a safety switch that prevents it from operating if the access panel isn’t on properly. If it was removed during your annual service or inspection and not replaced correctly, it could be keeping your furnace from switching on. Never operate your furnace with the panel removed or attempt to bypass the safety switch because it can cause unnecessary carbon monoxide exposure or put you at risk of electric shock.
How Long Should You Wait for It to Turn On?
Most furnaces have a short delay between when the thermostat registers a need for heat and the equipment booting on. This delay is normal, so give your system a few minutes to respond. If your furnace remains unresponsive, repeatedly attempts to start, or shuts down shortly after starting, that requires further investigation.
Don’t try to force your furnace to start by cycling the power over and over. While that might work in the moment, it is a momentary fix that doesn’t address any underlying mechanical or electrical issues. It also causes extra wear and tear that might lead to you needing a new furnace, when it could have been a simple fix.
What Does Your Furnace Do When You Try to Turn It On?
Pay attention to what happens when your furnace is supposed to turn on. Understanding what these symptoms might mean can help you figure out what’s wrong and make your service appointment go more smoothly.
- If your furnace stays completely silent, check if the thermostat display is on and the furnace has power. If those are good and your system is still completely unresponsive, it might need replacing.
- If your furnace clicks but won’t start, pay attention to whether it happens once or continues repeatedly. It could be a failed ignition or pilot light issue.
- If your furnace starts but shuts off quickly, note how long it runs before stopping and whether this happens every time it tries to start.
- If your is furnace turning on but not heating your home, verify that air is flowing through the vents and whether it feels warm or cold. This can tell you whether you’re dealing with a startup problem, heating, or airflow issue.
Common Reasons Your Furnace Won’t Start
Ignition System or Pilot Light Problems
Gas furnaces use an ignition system to produce heat. If the electronic ignitor fails or the pilot light goes out, your furnace can’t establish the flame it needs to heat your home. Due to the risk of fire and the need for proper electrical handling, it’s best to leave ignition system issues to professionals.
Faulty Sensors, Safety Switches, or Controls
Furnaces have various sensors, safety switches, and electronic controls that keep it working properly. If one of these components malfunctions, it can stop your furnace from starting up, usually for safety reasons. These types of issues aren’t always visible from the outside, so a technician will need to test these components to determine if they’re responsible for your furnace not working.
Blower Motor or Other Component Failure
The blower motor is one of the internal components that is how your furnace distributes warm air. If it fails, your furnace won’t be able to run normally or may turn off before delivering any heat. If you’re hearing unusual noises, notice repeated failed startups, or experience a lack of airflow, that might point to an issue with the blower motor or another essential component.
Gas Supply or Gas Valve Problems
A gas furnace can’t operate if its fuel supply is interrupted or the gas valve fails. These issues require an expert because working with gas lines and valves comes with serious safety risks. Never disassemble gas components or attempt to repair a gas connection yourself. If you smell gas, exit the property then contact your gas utility or emergency services from a safe distance.
Get Professional Furnace Repair From Ardmore Fresh Air
Getting a professional diagnosis is the best way to fix whatever is preventing your furnace from starting up. Ardmore provides heating repair services throughout the Chicagoland area. Our team can inspect your heating system, identify the problem, and perform the appropriate repair based your equipment and its current condition.
If your furnace won’t start, shuts off repeatedly, or runs without producing heat, contact Ardmore for furnace repair to restore your heating and keep your home comfortable.