Nobody wants to get trapped in the winter in a house with a furnace that won’t work. There’s good news, however. If you have a failed furnace, you can rely on our team for any heating repair in Hillsboro, OH you may need. We offer 24-hour emergency service to make sure you won’t get stuck for too long with a non-working furnace.
But we also know that you don’t want to have to call us unless you really need to. In some cases, a furnace that won’t turn on or provide any heat has a simple source you can correct on your own. In this post, we’ll go over some of the troubleshooting steps to follow when your furnace isn’t heating your house. Learn why your furnace might not be heating evenly and other potential issues to address.
Important note: These aren’t repair steps—you shouldn’t attempt to open your furnace and use tools to fix it on your own! It’s potentially dangerous. Once you’ve gone through these steps, it’s time to call us for the professional assistance you need.
Check the furnace switch
The furnace has a dedicated breaker switch located near the cabinet which is used to shut down the unit during the off-season so it can be serviced. If this is the start of the season, you may have forgotten to turn the switch back on.
Check the electrical panel
One of the most common reasons for a non-responsive furnace is a tripped circuit breaker. Yes, this applies to gas furnaces as well, as modern gas furnaces have numerous electrical components and use an electrically powered blower fan. Reset a tripped breaker and try the furnace again. If the furnace continues to trip the breaker, call for repairs.
If the breaker repeatedly trips even after resetting, it could indicate a deeper electrical issue such as a short circuit or overloaded wiring in the furnace. Avoid resetting the breaker multiple times, as this could damage the system further or create a fire hazard. Instead, contact a professional technician for a thorough inspection.
Check the thermostat
Often, a mistake with thermostat settings can account for a furnace failing to turn on when needed or only running for a short time. Make sure the thermostat is set to “heat” (often “auto” won’t work) and the target temperature is higher than that of the house. If the thermostat is showing a blank screen, it may need to have new batteries.
Check the gas supply
See if there is gas running to your house and to the furnace. You may need to turn on the gas valve near the furnace if you haven’t used the furnace in several months. Don’t attempt to tamper any further with the gas controls for the furnace.
If you suspect an issue with the gas line, look for any unusual odors like the smell of sulfur, which could indicate a gas leak. In such cases, evacuate your home immediately and contact your gas provider before arranging for HVAC repairs. Safety should always come first when dealing with gas-powered systems.
Change the furnace filter
This filter is designed to prevent debris from entering the furnace through the return air duct. Since the AC usually uses the same filter, it can be already clogged up by the beginning of the heating season. If the filter is too congested, it will often cause the furnace to shut down to avoid overheating. Put in a clean filter to see if this solves the problem. (And you should put in a clean filter at the start of the season no matter what.) Follow our guide for no-heat troubleshooting if your furnace still doesn’t work.
At this point, you’ve done all the troubleshooting to find a simple cause for the problem. Give us a call and we’ll see you have your heating restored fast. Learn when repairing your heater might not be worth it anymore and consider if replacement is the better option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Why won’t my furnace turn on?
Answer: A furnace may not turn on because of a simple issue like an off furnace switch, a tripped breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, closed gas valve, or dirty air filter. Start with these basic checks first. Avoid opening the furnace cabinet or using tools, since internal repairs can be unsafe.
Question: What should I check first when my furnace is not heating?
Answer: First, confirm the furnace switch is on, then check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker. Next, make sure the thermostat is set to heat and the temperature is set higher than the room temperature. These steps can often identify a simple cause before calling for service.
Question: Can a dirty air filter stop a furnace from turning on?
Answer: Yes, a clogged furnace filter can restrict airflow and cause the system to shut down to prevent overheating. This is especially common at the start of heating season if the same filter was used during cooling season. Replacing the filter is a safe, simple step homeowners can try.
Question: Why does my gas furnace still need electricity?
Answer: Modern gas furnaces still rely on electricity for parts such as the blower fan, controls, and ignition components. That means a tripped breaker or power switch can stop the furnace from running, even if the gas supply is working. If the breaker keeps tripping, schedule professional repair.
Question: When should I call a professional for a furnace that won’t start?
Answer: Call a professional if you checked the furnace switch, breaker, thermostat, gas supply, and filter but the furnace still will not run. You should also call right away if you smell gas, the breaker trips repeatedly, or you suspect an internal furnace problem.