Knowledge Builders

why is my furnace not heating the house

by Johnny Wunsch IV Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

4 Main reasons why furnace not heating house enough

  1. Your air filter may be clogged. The purpose of your air filter is to prevent dust, hair and other tiny particles from getting into your unit and causing damage. Once these substances accumulate, they may clog up the filter and prevent air from passing through the filter. ...
  2. The thermostat is faulty. ...
  3. The air ducts may be leaking. ...
  4. The furnace is aging and dying. ...

Check that your thermostat has power
If it's a battery-powered unit, go ahead and change the batteries, even if it's not dead. If it's not a battery-powered unit, check that the circuit breaker for your thermostat hasn't tripped. If it has, flip the switch and voilà, your thermostat and furnace should be working again.
Nov 6, 2021

Full Answer

Why is my furnace not keeping up with the thermostat?

What Can Keep a Heat Pump From Reaching a Set Temperature?

  • Unit is Iced Over. Setting your thermostat below 70°F can cause your heat pump system to frost or even completely freeze up.
  • System Isn’t Running. If your system is having trouble just turning on, it likely won’t be able to consistently reach the temperatures you’re setting.
  • Vents in the Home are Closed. ...

How to troubleshoot your furnace?

How to Troubleshoot your Furnace

  1. Is your heat on? To troubleshoot a furnace, start with the obvious. ...
  2. Are your batteries low? A low thermostat can easily make your system act strangely. ...
  3. Is your furnace switch working? ...
  4. Do you have a tripped breaker? ...
  5. Is your front panel door secure? ...
  6. Is your pilot light on? ...
  7. Are your filters clogged? ...
  8. Are your vents and registers closed or blocked? ...

More items...

Why does my furnace not turn on?

  • Switch OFF the furnace at the breaker.
  • Open the furnace access door and locate the circuit board.
  • Locate the main fuse. ...
  • Take it out and inspect it for damage using a flashlight. ...
  • Purchase a replacement if the fuse is blown. ...
  • Insert the replacement, making sure it fits snugly.
  • Now, switch the breaker ON and turn on the furnace to see if it works. ...

Why is my gas furnace not working?

[With Pictures]

  • Furnace Won't Turn On Because The Furnace Switch Is OFF. ...
  • Tripped Circuit Breaker Explains Why Furnace Won't Turn On. ...
  • Bad Thermostat. ...
  • Damaged or Loose Thermostat Wiring. ...
  • Incorrect Thermostat Settings. ...
  • Bad Capacitor Is A Reason Why Your Furnace Won't Turn On. ...
  • Furnace Won't Turn On Due To Faulty or Filthy Blower Motor. ...

More items...

How much energy does a furnace use?

Why is it important to keep air ducts dry?

Why is insulation bad?

What happens to a furnace as it ages?

Why do air ducts need to be cleaned?

What is the number to call for B&W furnace service?

Is it expensive to invest in a furnace?

See 2 more

image

Why is my furnace running but not heating the house?

Dirty filters are the most common cause of furnace problems. Dust and dirt restrict airflow—and if the filter gets too clogged, the heat exchanger will overheat and shut off too quickly, and your house won't warm up. If the blower is running but no heat is coming out, replace the filter.

What to check if your furnace isn't working?

Furnace Not Working? The 5 Most Common Causes [2019]Step #1: Check your Air Filter.Step #2: Check Your Pilot Light.Step #3: Check Your Thermostat.Step #4: Check The Power.Step #5: Check Your Gas Supply.

Why is my house cold by my furnace is running?

Your house could be cold due to an old air filter, a faulty furnace, improper insulation, or leaky ductwork. The simple fixes, like replacing an air filter, are relatively easy to complete. However, if the heater itself needs repairs, it's best to call in a professional to take a look and determine the problem.

Where is the furnace reset button?

Locate the reset button on the furnace and press it to reset the furnace. It is usually located inside the blower compartment on the side of the blower motor. Be cautious as the housing may be hot. If the button is popped up, press it down.

What is the most common problem with furnaces?

One of the most common furnace problems is a malfunctioning thermostat. A sure sign your thermostat isn't working properly is if your fan is constantly running. This will cause your thermostat battery to run, and cause your furnace to work inefficiently.

Why is my house colder than my thermostat setting?

Poor air flow, bad sensors, or other broken components can also cause room temperatures to be different than your thermostat setting. The biggest clue that your furnace is the culprit is your heating bill.

Why is cold air coming out when the heat is on?

This issue could be caused by an improper thermostat setting. Check that the fan blower switch is set to “auto” and not “on.” When the “auto” setting is chosen, the fan will only run during a heating cycle and won't push air that feels cooler through the vents in between cycles.

Why does my heat feel like cold air?

Your body temperature is around 98.6°F (everyone's body temperature is slightly different, but that's the average). Since heat pumps produce air that's below that, it can feel cold to you.

How can I tell if my furnace thermostat is bad?

7 Ways to Tell Your Thermostat Is BrokenThermostat Has No Power. ... AC or Furnace Won't Turn On. ... Heater or AC Won't Turn Off. ... Thermostat Doesn't Match Room Temperature. ... Thermostat Doesn't Respond. ... Short Cycling. ... Thermostat Forgets Programmed Settings. ... Thermostat Replacement Services.

Where is the reset button on a Trane furnace?

Turn off the power and open up the control panel to access the reset buttons on these models. Next, lift the cover to the blower compartment, and you should see the reset button sitting next to the blower motor and blower wheel.

Does water heater affect furnace?

Are Water Heater and Furnace Connected? Yes, your water heater and furnace can be connected in some cases. In an immersed coil installation, for example, your water heater might have a coil-type heat exchanger that gets heated up by the furnace.

What does the red light on my furnace mean?

If your oil furnace isn't coming on, you may see a red light illuminated on the burner unit. When lit, this red light, also called a lockout light, indicates that a safety mechanism on your furnace has caused a shutdown because it has detected a problem or recognized a fault.

Furnace Problems: 10 Common Issues & Easy Solutions

Winter is coming, and with it comes cold temperatures. This means your furnace will be working overtime to make sure you stay warm. But like any machine, there are always going to be problems that pop up along the way.

7 Reasons Why Your Furnace is Not Blowing Hot Air - Bigham's One Hour ...

Bigham’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning 1400 Petaluma Hill Rd. Santa Rosa, CA 95404 (877) 894-2577. Contractor License: 740999

Furnace Not Heating: What To Do | HVAC.com

A common furnace repair issue homeowners face in the winter is their furnace not heating. A furnace not heating can be caused by a few different issues. This problem may be corrected by some quick troubleshooting, or may require the assistance of a furnace repair technician.

5 Common Problems With High-Efficiency Furnaces - The Spruce

A high-efficiency condensing furnace is a little more complex than a conventional furnace, and troubleshooting is somewhat more complicated since there are more potential problems. High-efficiency furnaces are often known as condensing furnaces because they have a second heat exchanger that extracts additional heat from the air that passes through the first heat exchanger.

Why isn't my house getting heat?

A final reason why you’re not getting proper heat in every room of your house is that it is time for a furnace replacement. Old furnaces do not run effectively and can be a nuisance in chilly households. We install new HVAC systems and furnace replacements for our neighbors in the Chicago suburbs and ensure that they are the right size and zone control for each unique home. A new furnace may be just what your home needs to ensure that each room is properly heated.

Why doesn't my furnace heat my house?

Another reason why it may seem that your furnace doesn’t heat the whole house is due to improper zone control. Depending on the location of your furnace, the size of your home, and your ventilation mapping, your furnace may not be able to perform efficiently. A zone control system would be the best solution in this case, which can be easily installed during a furnace repair to support your current HVAC unit.

Why is my house colder than others?

If it’s not your furnace, poor insulation may be the direct cause for why some rooms are colder than others. If your home does not have sufficient insulation between the interior and exterior walls, cold air passes through very easily. Plus, special insulation surrounding windows and doors is essential to ensuring that heat doesn’t pass through the cracks.

What is a blower capacitor?

The blower capacitor is like a battery that helps the furnace’s blower operate with more power. When the blower capacitor isn’t working properly, the blower may stop working completely, make loud noises, or only work intermittently.

How to remove capacitor wires?

Remove the wires and discharge the capacitor by placing a screwdriver with an insulated handle horizontally across the terminals. If it is a dual capacitor, touch a screwdriver from the FAN to the Common terminal, then the HERM to the Common terminal.

Why is my furnace blowing hot air?

If you’ve been using your gas furnace for a while, it’s possible that there is an accumulation of dirt and waste around the blower. Because the air isn’t moving properly , the blower can’t efficiently blow hot air into your ducts and heat your house.

What does thermostat do on gas furnace?

Your thermostat controls the temperature and heat settings of the gas furnace. If you have the wrong settings or the thermostat is faulty, the furnace won’t heat up.

What happens if your furnace filters are blocked?

If your air filters are blocked or closed, air will not be able to flow easily from the furnace. Continual use can create a buildup of dirt and grime that blocks the filters.

Why is a gas furnace important?

Gas furnaces are essential for keeping your house warm in winter. They have an efficient design that cycles warm air throughout your home and draws out cold air. Gas furnaces are usually reliable, but occasionally they start to malfunction and don’t heat up properly.

How is warm air heated?

While warm air is pushed into the rooms, cool air is sucked back into the return ducts and then the furnace. It is heated by the heat exchanger, repeating the cycle.

Why is My Furnace Running But Not Heating?

If your furnace seems to be running but isn’t producing heat or the heat isn’t strong enough to keep you warm and comfortable , there’s a problem in one of the ten steps. The following are nine things that can go wrong and what to do about each.

Why does my furnace blower not get warm air?

The blower fan plays a critical role in pulling cold air into the furnace and pushing warm air out of the furnace and throughout your home. Therefore, you may not get any warm air if the blower fan is bad. Blower fans can malfunction due to internal damage.

What is the first place to check when the furnace is running but not producing heat?

As we saw earlier, heating officially commences when the thermostat calls for heat. Therefore, the thermostat is the first place to check when the furnace is running but not producing heat. Is the thermostat set correctly? Or is it too low? Is it even working in the first place? Can you see digits on the screen?

What causes a furnace to not light up?

If either is compromised or dead, the furnace cannot light up. Common ignitor issues include dirt buildup, loss of sensitivity, and short-circuiting. Meanwhile, pilot lights can become blocked with dirt or get blown off by the wind.

Why won't my furnace start?

Gas valves supply natural gas or propane to the pilot system and the burners. Therefore, if the valve is blocked due to dirt buildup , the furnace may not start. The same applies if the valve is leaking.

How to stop a furnace from leaking?

DIY maintenance, including cleaning, can help prevent issues of dirt buildup. However, you need professional intervention if it’s leaking. Shut down the furnace at the breaker, turn off the main valve, and call an HVAC professional.

What happens if the thermostat is higher than the temperature?

So, the thermostat compares current temperatures to the settings you input earlier. If it’s higher than the setting, nothing happens. However, if the temperature is below the setting, the thermostat requests heating.

First things first, figure out where your furnace is

I know, I know, some of you are rolling your eyes. But, you’d be amazed how often people don’t know where or even what their furnace is. Heck, when I got in this business I thought what heated our home was the hot water heater.

Check that your thermostat has power

If you only knew how many calls we run that end in us changing batteries.

Check that your furnace has power and is turned on

Despite all the advances in technology, furnaces still need electricity to operate (even gas ones). So if your furnace isn’t getting power, it isn’t running.

Replace your filter

One of the best ways to destroy your expensive heating and cooling system is to not change the filter. As time goes by and debris builds up, your system has to work harder and harder to push air into your home. Eventually, it throws in the towel and quits.

Reset your furnace

It’s amazing the healing power of yanking an appliance's power cord out of the wall. It’s been fixing internet routers for years and there’s a decent chance it’s going to fix your furnace today.

How long does a gas furnace last?

Uneven heating is one of the warning signs that an old furnace is coming to the end of its life. It simply cannot produce as much heat as it once did. A gas furnace can often last beyond 15 years (if it has regular maintenance), so if your furnace is more than 15 years in service, loss of even heating is telling you it’s time to install a new one.

What is short cycle furnace?

Short-cycling is when the furnace only runs in abbreviated heating cycles, then shuts down prematurely. The furnace will run through numerous abortive heating cycles per hour, which puts tremendous stress on it and will raise your bills. It also won’t permit the furnace to run long enough to distribute heat evenly. There are many potential sources for short-cycling, and you’ll want our technicians to do the detective work to find the problem.

Why is my house heating uneven?

If your house has a zone control system allowing you to shut down heating in certain areas while keeping it on in others, a malfunction can lead to uneven heating. This could be due to dampers in the ducts that have stuck shut, or the satellite thermostats may not be sensing accurate temperatures. You’ll need HVAC technicians to make the necessary repairs to the zone controls.

What is the role of thermostats in heating?

The thermostat is responsible for regulating heating cycles. If you have a modern thermostat, verify the batteries do not need to be replaced. When batteries get low or no longer have sufficient charge in them, it can prevent the furnace from turning on.

Why is my furnace clogged?

A dirty air filter creates additional stress on your furnace. A clogged filter prevents air from circulating correctly through the system. This can cause uneven heating in the rooms in the home. Additionally, clogged filters can cause the furnace to overheat and shut down. If your air filter is dirty and has not been changed in quite some time, replace it.

Can a furnace kick on if there is no power?

Even if the batteries are brand new in your thermostat, if there is no power then the furnace will not kick on. Whether you have gas, electric, or some other type of furnace in your home, they all require electricity to cycle.

How fast should a furnace heat a house?

So how fast should a furnace heat a house? On average, once you turn on your furnace, it should take about an hour to increase indoor temperature by 1 degree. Afterwards, it’s 45 minutes per degree. And how warm should your house be? During winter, the recommended thermostat reading is around 70 degrees F.

4 Main reasons why furnace not heating house enough

Your air filter may be clogged. The purpose of your air filter is to prevent dust, hair and other tiny particles from getting into your unit and causing damage. Once these substances accumulate, they may clog up the filter and prevent air from passing through the filter.

How much energy does a furnace use?

A good rule of thumb is that it takes 30,000 BTUs for every 1,000 square feet (or 30 BTUs per square foot). The larger your home, the more energy it will take to heat. You also might want to consider your climate when it comes to choosing a furnace. If you live in a colder climate, choosing a furnace with a higher BTU output per square foot would be a good choice.

Why is it important to keep air ducts dry?

Keeping the insulation around your air ducts dry is essential for keeping heat in. Newer foam insulation can eliminate cracks and tiny holes that heat can escape from. The better your house is insulated, the more efficient your furnace should run.

Why is insulation bad?

Poor insulation is another common problem in older homes with an inadequate heating system. Over time, insulation can become less efficient. Depending on the type of insulation in your home, it could be absorbing moisture. Keeping the insulation around your air ducts dry is essential for keeping heat in.

What happens to a furnace as it ages?

As your furnace ages, it becomes less efficient and will lose the ability to distribute hot air evenly throughout the house. The older your furnace is, the more common repairs will pop up, such as a cracked heat exchanger or a bad blower motor.

Why do air ducts need to be cleaned?

Changing your air filter regularly should help, as a dirty filter can restrict airflow. But if you’re finding debris, dust or mold on or around the registers in your home , this is a sign that your air ducts need to be cleaned.

What is the number to call for B&W furnace service?

We solve your heating, cooling and plumbing issues day or night. Contact us today to schedule service for your furnace, or call our emergency line at 317-406-0699 to get your heat back on right away.

Is it expensive to invest in a furnace?

Investing in a new furnace can be expensive. The pros at B&W understand the financial burden that can put on a family that’s just trying to stay warm. That’s why we have partnered with Wells Fargo to make buying a new heating system possible. Stay warm this winter with a new furnace from B&W.

image

1.Why Is My Furnace Not Heating My House Properly?

Url:https://bplusw.com/furnace-not-heating/

36 hours ago There are a number of reasons why your furnace isn’t properly heating, and it all depends on your space. Call B&W to have a technician correctly diagnosis your furnace issues so you can stay …

2.Why Doesn’t My Furnace Heat My Whole House?

Url:https://www.mrductcleaning.com/blog/2020/01/04/why_doesnt_my_furnace_heat_my_whole_house

30 hours ago  · Why Is My Furnace Running But No Heat. It can be anything from dirty filters to blocked vents/ducts, a faulty flame sensor, dirty burners, or even a blown control board. …

3.Why Is My Furnace Running But No Heat - HouseholdAir

Url:https://householdair.com/why-is-my-furnace-running-but-no-heat/

2 hours ago  · A dirty air filter, failure to implement a furnace maintenance plan, and leaks in your ductwork can cause problems with the air supply throughout your house. A furnace not …

4.Furnace not heating? Here’s what you can do about it:

Url:https://www.savewithfranklin.com/blog/furnace-not-heating-heres-what-you-can-do-about-it

31 hours ago  · The furnace may not be heating because the motor has been overloaded, requiring reset. Press the reset button, located on the front or side of your unit. Issues causing furnace not heating. A faulty pilot light can be the cause of a furnace not heating in an older system. If the pilot light will not stay lit, several issues could be to blame.

5.Why Your Furnace Isn’t Heating the House Evenly

Url:https://www.firstchoiceheat.com/blog/heating-service/why-furnace-isnt-heating-house-evenly/

17 hours ago  · We know a little something about furnaces, so we can share some of the reasons that your furnace isn’t providing even heating: A clogged furnace filter. Whenever you notice …

6.Why Isn’t My Furnace Heating My House? | A-Advantage

Url:https://www.a-advantage.com/isnt-furnace-heating-house/

16 hours ago  · 4 Main reasons why furnace not heating house enough. Your air filter may be clogged. The purpose of your air filter is to prevent dust, hair and other tiny particles from …

7.House Not Heating Up | Reasons Your Home Isn’t Getting …

Url:https://www.moncriefair.com/blog/reasons-your-home-isnt-getting-warm-enough/

7 hours ago

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9