Essential Steps to Take When Your Furnace Stops Working

The first thing to check is that your furnace shut-off switch (typically a physical on/off switch on or near your furnace) is turned on. You should also check the breaker box to see if the circuit breaker or fuse that governs your furnace is tripped.

Ensure all room vents are open and free of furniture or other obstructions. Blocked vents can lead to duct leaks and airflow issues.

Check the Thermostat

One of the first things to check is your thermostat. If it shows a blank display, the batteries may be dead. This will prevent it from monitoring the temperature and instructing your furnace to turn on. If so, open up the thermostat and pop in fresh batteries.

You should also check that the power switch is on. Most furnaces have a standard wall switch mounted on or near them (it may look like a light switch) that can get bumped off during dusting and cleaning.

You must ensure the gas valve is open when using a gas furnace. To do this, turn the handle parts to the pipe. Lastly, you should check for duct leaks. You can do this by smelling for a sulfuric or “rotten “gg” odor. “If you smell gas, call your local utility company immediately and stay out of the house until professional help arrives.

Check the Power

Faced with a chilly house and a silent furnace, don’t despair! Before calling for reinforcements, try some basic troubleshooting. Step 1: Power check! Flip the switch on your thermostat to “On” and listen for the furnace humming back to life. If it stays silent, don’t worry; we’ll explore other possibilities in our guide to what to do if your furnace goes out.

Check the circuit breaker that supplies power to your furnace. It may be in the “Off” po “it” n, or it could have tripped due to a power surge or an electrical issue. If this is the case, you should reset the breaker switch.

If the breaker isn’t, you might have an issue with your gas valve or flame sensor. If the flame sensor is dirty from combustion soot, it can show that a fire is present and won’t allow the furnace to start. This is an easy repair that you can do yourself by opening the front panel of your furnace and referring to the user manual to locate the ignitor/sensor.

Check the Ductwork

The ducts in your home are a critical part of the airflow your furnace creates, and it’s not uncommon for them to get clogged with debris or be misdirected by furniture or long curtains. Check your outflow vents and registers to ensure they are open and free from obstructions like rugs, furniture, or curtains.

It’s also important to check that the ductwork is sealed correctly. If you find gaps in the ductwork, it’s time to schedule a professional duct cleaning service.

Finally, it’s always a good idea to check that the gas valve is in the on position. It’s easy to turn this off accidentally during a repair or maintenance service. Checking that it is on is a simple matter of turning the handle to the correct position, and you’ll have the comfort of knowing that your home has warm air flowing again.

Call a Professional

When your furnace stops working, it is always best to call a professional immediately. You do not want to waste time on DIY troubleshooting if you have young children, elderly, or sick people in your home who need heat ASAP. Moreover, the more you delay calling for help, the higher the possibility that your problem will escalate into something more severe, like a gas leak.

Call an HVAC expert in Billings immediately if you cannot find anything wrong with your thermostat, electrical system, or ductwork. However, you may need to wait for them to arrive if the problem is something they cannot fix on the spot.

If the ignitor sensor or pilot light is dirty, it can prevent your furnace from starting up. Luckily, these components are relatively easy to fix. You will only need a screwdriver to remove and clean the front panels. Just be careful not to damage the ignitor or sensor in the process.