As the temps drop in Amarillo, TX you count on your furnace to keep your home warm. But if your furnace isn’t turning on it’s a big problem. Furnaces are complicated systems and there are many reasons why your furnace won’t turn on when the temp drops. Check out these common reasons why and some tips to fix it.
How Your Furnace Works
Your furnace uses combustion to heat your home, typically powered by natural gas, propane, electricity, or another fuel source. Whenever thermostat sensors detect that the indoor air temperature has dropped below your heat settings, it’ll notify your furnace’s control board and initiate the heating cycle.
The furnace ignites the burners, draws in cold air from your home, and warms it through the heat exchanger. As your furnace produces warm air, it distributes it through the ductwork to the vents in each room of your home.
7 Reasons Your Furnace Won’t Turn On
If your heater isn’t turning on when it’s cold outside, here are the most common reasons why:
1. Thermostat issues
Since the thermostat is responsible for sensing temperature and communicating with your furnace, it’s the first place to look when your home’s furnace isn’t working. Besides your furnace not turning on, some signs of thermostat issues include:
- Blank screen
- No power
- Unable to change settings
- Thermostat continuously resets
Check that it’s loaded with fresh batteries, switched on, and set to heat, then verify that it’s set to the correct temperature. You may need to increase the temperature to initiate the heating cycle while you’re troubleshooting.
If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, check that it’s programmed with the correct day, time, and schedule. If you have a pre-programmed heating schedule, match it to your household’s daily needs and routines to ensure it doesn’t stop the heating cycle from starting when you need it most.
2. Electric problems
Even if you have a gas furnace it still needs electricity to work. Check the furnace’s power switch and the circuit breaker. A short circuit or electrical surge can trip the breaker and prevent it from turning on. Turn it off and on to reset it and see if that helps.
3. Pilot light or ignition problems
Furnaces made before 2010 use a pilot light to ignite the burners. If your furnace is running but blowing cold air and the pilot light doesn’t have a blue flame it’s out. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to re-light the pilot light or call Frank’s and we’ll come light it for you.
Modern furnaces use electric igniters to light the burners. Here are some signs of an igniter problem that requires professional service:
- Your furnace repeatedly turns on and off, known as “short-cycling”
- Cold air or no air is coming from the vents
- Your furnace keeps tripping the circuit breaker
- You hear a click, but the furnace doesn’t turn on
4. Gas supply issues
If your furnace runs on gas, several issues can prevent fuel from reaching the system, including a closed gas valve, an unpaid gas bill, or gas line work in the area.
Gas furnaces may not turn on if the gas valve is closed. The valve is within 6 feet of the unit, attached to the gas pipe and looks like a small disk or a box with a level. When the lever is “open” it’s parallel with the pipe. Call Frank’s if you think you have a gas valve issue and we’ll come out and fix it safely.
5. Dirty filter or airflow obstruction
Your furnace air filter traps dust and debris to keep the air clean and prevent your system from working too hard. If debris clogs the filter it can cause overheating.
Most air filters should be replaced every 30 to 90 days so make sure you replace yours as recommended by the manufacturer. If a new filter doesn’t improve airflow check your vents and ducts to make sure they’re open and not blocked by furniture or other objects. Call Frank’s for duct repair or cleaning if you see holes or blockages.
6. Overheating and safety features
An overheating furnace will trip the high-limit switch, a safety device that turns off the furnace. The flame sensor detects the flames from the burning gas and will shut off the gas valve and burners. Pressure switches prevent exhaust fumes from back-drafting into your system and will turn off the furnace to prevent mechanical failure.
Safety switches will stop the furnace cycle if the front panel door is open. Check these safety features and call us if you think you have an issue.
7. Malfunctioning blower motor
If you’re seeing high energy bills, a noisy system or weak/no airflow it may be a blower motor issue. Wear and tear, debris buildup and a dirty air filter can cause the blower to malfunction.
Adding lubricant or replacing the motor belt may fix the problem but it may be time to replace the motor. Only an HVAC pro can make that call.
What to Do When Your Furnace Is Not Turning On
Here’s what to do if your furnace is not keeping up with the cold or not turning on at all:
- Make sure your thermostat is set to “heat” and the temperature is high enough to turn on the furnace.
- Go to your electrical panel and check the circuit breaker. If it’s tripped, reset it and turn the furnace back on.
- Check your furnace filter and if it’s dirty replace it with a new one.
- Check the furnace power switch.
- If you have a gas furnace check the pilot to make sure it’s lit. It should be a steady blue flame. Also make sure your gas valve is in the “open” position.
- Check the drain pan. A clogged or full drain pan could trip a safety switch or other safety device and keep your furnace from turning on.
Furnaces have many complex components and DIY troubleshooting doesn’t always work. If you’ve tried the above and the furnace won’t turn on, call the pros at Frank’s Repair Plumbing, Inc. we can help.
Our NATE certified HVAC techs have the knowledge, experience and equipment to do all types of emergency heating repairs. We’ll get heat back in your home and your furnace running again fast.
Preventing Furnace Issues in the Future
Good news there are some things you can do to prevent inconvenient and costly furnace issues in the future. Remember these to keep your furnace running all winter long:
- Schedule regular preventative maintenance including annual inspections and tune-ups for your furnace every fall before winter.
- Check your air filter every month and replace it when dirty (usually every 1-3 months).
- Keep the area around your furnace and vents clean and clear of obstructions and debris.
- Check your furnace every now and then to look for leaks, pilot light issues and other common problems.
- Keep all vents and ductwork clean and clear of debris to support good airflow and reduce wear and tear on your system.
- Listen for unusual noises and pay attention to strange smells coming from your furnace. These can be signs of an underlying issue that needs professional attention.
Need Furnace Repair Near Amarillo?
If you live in the Texas Panhandle, it’s important to be prepared for severe storms or sudden blizzards. With basic mechanical know-how, you can troubleshoot your furnace and determine if you need to call in a professional.
In the meantime, annual preventive maintenance on your furnace in the fall will help you stay ahead of repairs and reduce the chances of the heat not working in your house when you need it the most.
Frank’s Repair Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency furnace repair and our HVAC techs are NATE certified and state licensed. Call today to get all your home heating and cooling questions answered.
