how do i know if my furnace wont turn on

• Check other electrical devices around your house like your microwave and TV. If these devices are not working, then your power could be out, and you should call your electric company to learn more.
• Check the circuit breaker for your furnace and other components to ensure the circuits are in the “ON” position. ...
• Check the circuit breaker on your furnace. ...

Full Answer

What would cause a furnace not to kick on?

If your furnace is not turning on you should first check if the filter is clean. Dirty filters cause insufficient airflow and can prevent the furnace from starting. Other reasons it won't start can stem from improper thermostat settings, forgetting to turn on the gas line, or faulty pilot light.

How do you check and see if your furnace is working?

How to check if your furnace is workingEnsure Thermostat is turned up.Inspect lower door panel on exterior of furnace, can you see any flashing lights? ... Re-set furnace switch, usually located on roof above furnace.Main inducer fan should come on first.Igniter area should start to glow in after 20-30 seconds.More items...

How do I reset my furnace?

How to Reset an Electric FurnaceFirst, turn off the power supply to the furnace by turning off the breaker in the circuit box.Locate the reset button on the furnace and press it to reset the furnace. ... If the button is popped up, press it down.Return the cover to the blower compartment and turn the power on.

Can hear your furnace click on but it does not fire up?

Ongoing clicking when the furnace isn't working may be a sign that gas isn't reaching the pilot light. The ignitor will keep clicking as it tries to spark a flame. This could indicate a dangerous gas leak or clogged gas valve.

How do you know if your heat is working?

What to Check First If Your Heater Isn't WorkingCheck the Furnace Power Switch. Some furnaces have an on/off switch that is frustratingly easy to switch off by mistake. ... Look at Your Fuse Box That Powers Your Heater. ... Check the Batteries in Your Thermostat. ... Replace the Air Filters. ... Notice Any Odors. ... Heater Isn't Working?

How do you know when you need a new furnace?

8 Telltale Signs Its Time to Replace Your FurnaceThe Age of Your System. ... Rising Energy Bills. ... Excessive Dust, Dirt, Soot or Rust Particles. ... Home Humidity Problems. ... Rooms are Heating Unevenly. ... Furnace Becomes Unusually Noisy or Develops Rattles, Buzzes or Hums. ... Furnace Has Visible Signs of Rust or Cracks in or Around System.More items...•

How do you inspect a gas furnace?

0:003:07Heating Repair & Maintenance - How To Inspect A Furnace - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd add to a potential fire. So tip number one clean up the area around your furnace. Right here we'MoreAnd add to a potential fire. So tip number one clean up the area around your furnace. Right here we've got some debris.

Why is my furnace blowing cold air?

If your furnace is blowing cold air in your home, this is a sign of an issue with the flame detector, gas supply, air filter, pilot light, or condensate lines. Many of these issues are able to be easily solved on your own by sanitizing or replacing components in the gas furnace.

You Have a Tripped Circuit Breaker

I once went without power for hours and couldn’t understand why everyone around my house except me had power. I discovered later that my circuit breaker had tripped.

You Have a Clogged Furnace Filter

If you’ve been neglecting filter change, it’s likely accumulated soot, dirt, and dust that can compromise your furnace’s airflow.

The Blower Capacitor Is Dead

The blower capacitor is a battery-like component attached to the blower. It sends a signal to the ignitor when the thermostat tells it and provides the steady power the blower needs to spin and keep the fan going.

Your Furnace Is Burning Too Much Gas

Furnace manufacturers have specifications for how much gas your furnace can burn at a given moment. When your home is frigid, you might try to regulate the furnace settings to get more heat, which means burning more gas than recommended.

Your Furnace Has a Damaged or Cracked Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger is a furnace component that separates the combustion from the air exchange. It has metal chambers and passageways starting at the burner assembly and going to the chimney vent. Watch this video to learn what heat exchangers are and how they work:

When to Call a Certified HVAC Technician

I’ve already hinted that some furnace ignition problems will require you to call an HVAC specialist right away. But to give you more precise guidelines, I’ve listed five furnace ignition problems that call for a certified HVAC technician:

Final Thoughts

Lack of maintenance is the primary reason your furnace won’t turn on. If it’s not serviced annually, your furnace is dirty or has faulty, damaged, or even dead components. This means it’ll have limited airflow, emit toxic gases like carbon monoxide, and fail to ignite and sustain the flames.

What to do if your furnace isn't working?

If your furnace isn’t powering on, check the exterior cabinet carefully to see if you can spot panels that are out of place, missing screws, or that appear damaged in any way. Push panels back in place, and replace any missing screws to see if that triggers your furnace to run properly. 5. Furnace Not Igniting.

Why is my furnace not responding?

If your furnace isn’t responding, it could be a problem as simple as the settings on your thermostat being incorrect. Since your thermostat is responsible for sensing the ambient temperature of a room, a system that isn’t set up properly could trigger your furnace to switch on or turn off when you aren’t expecting it.

How to check if a furnace is tripped?

Breaker Box: Inspect the breaker box within your home to see if the circuit breaker governing the furnace is tripped. Tripped breakers may be ever-so-slightly out of place, so look for small inconsistencies with the orientation of the paddle. Reset the paddle by flipping it one way and then moving it the other if it appears tripped.

What does a thermostat do?

The system uses electrical signals to relay information from the temperature sensors to your furnace, indicating when to turn on and shut down. While many thermostats are hard wired and receive power through your home’s circuit breaker and city electrical grid, others rely on batteries. If your furnace isn’t turning on, check your thermostat to make sure it seems to be receiving power.

How to fix a broken furnace ignitor?

Use compressed air to dust off the ignitors. Maintain a distance of at least a foot. Put the panel back in place, restore power and gas, and turn the furnace back on. If the furnace turns back on, you may have resolved the issue. If the ignitor is broken, the ignition sequence may need professional repairs. 6.

Why does my pilot light go out?

Pilot lights can go out due to system issues, drafts, or even tripped failsafes inside your furnace. If your pilot light isn’t working, your furnace will not be able to ignite the flames of your furnace, and your system won’t heat. To light your pilot light, use your furnace owner’s manual and follow the directions closely. Here are a few guidelines for relighting your pilot light.

Why is my furnace not igniting?

Furnace Not Igniting. If your furnace is turning on, but not creating any heat, you may have a furnace ignition problem . If the blower turns on and runs, but the air coming out of the vents of your home is cold, the ignition could be to blame. Here are a few common ignition problems, and how to resolve them.

Why won't my furnace turn on?

Finally, your furnace may also refuse to turn ON if the blower system or furnace inducer motor has an issue. The blower system is the fan system that blows warm air into the house. It also creates the air movement necessary to draw cool air into the furnace.

How to test if furnace is working?

Use compressed air to dust off the ignitors, put back the panel, turn on electricity and gas, and test the furnace. If it still doesn’t work. It’s time to call the pros.

Why is my furnace locked out?

A furnace typically enters lockout mode due to problems in three areas, i.e., the ignition system, flame sensor, and limit switches.

What does it mean when the thermostat is not getting power?

If the thermostat isn’t getting power, the furnace cannot run as the furnace takes instructions from the furnace.

What happens if a furnace sensor doesn't detect a flame?

If it can’t detect or “see” a flame, it will cut fuel supply to prevent gas poisoning and fire risk. If the flame sensor repeatedly tries to find a flame in vain, it can put the furnace in lockout mode until you reset the unit.

How to tell if furnace is in good shape?

The first place you should check if you’re experiencing the issue for the first time, an indication that the rest of the furnace is likely in good shape, is the thermostat. If all else is working well, then you may have input the wrong thermostat settings. Or perhaps the thermostat isn’t getting power.

Why do furnace fans use capacitors?

Furnace fans use capacitors to store starting power as the electrical supply to the fan is rarely enough to start the motor. Therefore, if the capacitor fails, the motor cannot start. You can tell that the blower capacitor is bad if the fan hums but doesn’t run.

Why won't my furnace turn on?

If the thermostat isn’t set up correctly or you have a blank thermostat, it may not feel necessary to turn on the furnace. This means that hot air won’t dissipate.

Why does my furnace not turn on after opening the valve?

If the furnace does not turn on even after opening the valve, then there could be a possible problem with the gas connection in your household. Contact the gas provider to ensure that there are no problems in the gas supply.

What does an ignition sensor do?

The ignition sensor works to detect flame and turn on the furnace when needed. If it malfunctions, the furnace will be turned off and will not provide heating.

How does a furnace work?

Furnaces can be of several types, but all of them work on basically the same principle. The furnace converts heat into the air, and then the air flows throughout the house or building through ducts. Furnaces are of different types from different brands. But you must avoid some poor furnace brands to stay trouble-free.

What type of furnace is the most efficient?

This is the most seen furnace in households. It uses gas from household gas lines. Gas furnaces are particularly good at dissipating heat evenly throughout the system. They are also the most efficient.

Why is my furnace clogged?

Over time, it is natural for the furnace and the heating system to get clogged by dust, microparticles, or dirt. Check the vents and the air filter and make sure they are not filled with dust. Also, make sure that the vents are not blocked by any obstacles like furniture.

How to tell if a gas furnace valve is closed?

The valve can be disc or box-shaped and it is usually colored, for easy identification. Make sure that the valve is turned on. You can tell if the valve closed if the handle is perpendicular to the gas pipe.

What happens if your furnace is not working properly?

When one of these parts is not working properly, it can prevent your furnace from starting up and producing heat for your home. In this situation, it’s best to have a certified technician look at your system and make any necessary repairs.

What to do if furnace won't kick on?

The first thing you want to do if your furnace won’t kick on is to check and see if the thermostat is set to heat and not the air conditioning function. In addition to this, make sure that the thermostat is set to a temperature higher than the temperature of the room. Typically, you should set your thermostat’s temperature to about 5 degrees ...

What to do if your furnace breaker is tripped?

For those that are inexperienced with this, you’ll want to: Make sure your furnace is turned off. Check the switch on your unit. Head to the circuit breaker panel and open it up. Look to see if you see a tripped breaker.

How to tell if a furnace is an automatic or standing pilot?

Once the door is removed, pinpoint the control valve and inspect it to see if the furnace only has the ON and OFF settings. If this is the case, then you have an automatic ignition furnace in your home. However, if you inspect your system and you see an ON, OFF and a PILOT option, then you know that your furnace is a standing pilot. To relight it your pilot, you’ll want to:

Why won't my furnace kick on?

When your furnace won’t kick on, check to see if the pilot light may have went out. If your furnace is located by a door leading to the outside or you had a fan running near your furnace, the breeze could have extinguished the pilot light.

What does it mean when your blower is not working?

If it’s not your blower that’s broken, it could also be your transformer, your run capacitor or your control board.

Why won't my heat come on?

Your heat won’t come on if you have a limited gas supply. If you own a gas furnace, make sure that your gas line has not been accidentally turned off. When you’re involved with more than one home improvement project at a time, this can happen, especially if you’re in the middle of a kitchen remodeling project.

How to reset a furnace that won't turn on?

Solution: Typically, there’s a “reset” button near the motor housing. Turn the appliance off, wait 30 minutes for it to cool down, then press “reset.” If the furnace doesn’t reset immediately, repeat the procedure twice more.

Where to check the state of a natural gas furnace?

Check the state of your natural gas furnace’s circuits at the entrance of the unit.

What happens if you smell gas in your home?

Solution: A disruption of the gas supply to the heating system in your home could leave the HVAC without fuel. If you smell gas, leave your home immediately, and call a local expert for emergency repair.

How to check if a pan is up or down?

If not, drain the fluid, and check for normal operation. OR. If the pan has a pump, check that the float switch is in the “down” position. If it’s “up,” clean it , and check for proper movement. If it’s “up” with water in the pan, push down on the float and hold it.

What happens if your heating system is too advanced?

Solution: The more advanced the heating system is, the more susceptible the system is to power outages.

Does a furnace have a float switch?

Solution: Although drainage pans are associated more with air conditioners, furnaces still produce acidic condensation, so it likely has a float switch and a condensation pump as well. If the condensate pan has standing water, follow these instructions: If the pan has a drain, check that it’s clear.