Furnace issues tend to occur when you need heat the most. And it’s usually no coincidence. Furnaces often fail to ignite when they haven’t been used in a while, or, on the contrary, if they’ve been overworked.
If you’re finding yourself left in the cold in your own home, you’ll need to identify the source of the problem.
Here are three reasons why your furnace won’t ignite.
1. The thermostat isn’t set correctly
This seems like a no-brainer, but checking your thermostat should be the first step in getting your furnace to start. Be sure the thermostat is set to Heat, and that the temperature in your home is lower than the temperature the heat is set to.
If this doesn’t work, check for error codes, or try turning the fan switch to “on” to force the furnace to blow air. If none of these options work, the problem likely doesn’t involve the thermostat.
2. The pilot light isn’t lit
If you can hear your furnace clicking but it isn’t fully igniting, the problem can likely be attributed to the pilot light or ignition sensor. Locate the pilot light or sensor and follow the directions on your furnace or manual to re-light the mechanism.
3. The furnace itself is the issue
Furnaces have several working components that can easily malfunction or be set wrong. Be sure all switches are turned on (even for gas furnaces), check the breaker to be sure it hasn’t been tripped, and change the air filter on the furnace unit if necessary.
Why call an HVAC professional
If any or all of the above are not solving your furnace woes, it’s likely time to call in the pros. Furnaces are powerful and complex pieces of equipment. It doesn’t take much to turn a small issue into a larger, even potentially dangerous problem. For that reason, it’s not wise to fiddle with a furnace unless you really know what you’re doing.
For expert furnace service in the Fredericksburg area, turn to Robert B. Payne We’ll inspect your furnace and determine the best solution to getting it back up and running again. To schedule an appointment with a technician, contact us or call at 540-373-5876 today.
