The home furnace is one of the greatest inventions of all time. That may sound like an overzealous statement, but think about it the next time the wind is whipping sleet around outside and the temperature is in the single digits. Thanks to the invention of the furnace, staying warm in your home is as simple as flipping a switch. But what do you do if something goes wrong and your furnace doesn’t come on when you flip the switch? Sometimes it’s a simple issue, but sometimes you need the help of a professional HVAC technician to figure out and fix the problem.
The Common Reasons Your Furnace Isn’t Coming On
Extinguished Pilot Light
One easy-to-resolve issue is a pilot light that has been extinguished. If this is why your furnace isn’t coming on, then it can be resolved by simply re-lighting the pilot flame. You can do this yourself, but use caution in doing so, as with any work on your furnace. If the flame doesn’t re-light or if re-igniting it doesn’t fix the problem, then the problem is more serious, and you will need the help of a professional HVAC technician to determine what the problem is. It could be that your furnace needs a new pilot light component. This is an inexpensive part that is simple to replace. But this type of repair should always be done by a professional. Don’t try to do this kind of repair work yourself.
Damaged Or Outdated Thermostat
One of the most frequent reasons a furnace fails to start up and run correctly is a thermostat that has become damaged or worn out. Older types of thermostats contain several thin wires that control the various functions your system performs. These wires eventually wear out and stop working correctly. This generally means you need a new thermostat, rather than trying to repair your old one. Your existing thermostat was most likely an older model. Now that is it no longer working, this is a good opportunity to upgrade your system with a more efficient, modern programmable thermostat. These models provide you with the convenience of controlling your HVAC system’s settings even when you’re away from home. Save on resources and money by dialing down the temperature in your home when everyone will be out and at night when they are warm in bed. Increase the temperature when everyone is home. The settings are controlled via an app that you can download for free on to your smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc., to use wherever you are. Programmable thermostats are more efficient and effective than older models, which helps to improve the performance and extend the life of your HVAC system.
Insufficient Gas Flow
Don’t try to save money or preserve your system’s gas supply by cutting back on the amount of fuel flowing to your furnace. This is a very unsafe practice. You might save a few dollars on your gas bill or make your fuel supply last a little longer, but an inadequate flow of fuel will put an added strain on your furnace, causing it to have to work harder and longer to try to warm your home sufficiently. This can result in damage to your HVAC system. It also creates a severe safety hazard to your home and family. Make sure the gas supply controls to your heating system are set to fully open or fully closed at all times.
Water Condensation Issues
Inside your furnace is a device called a condensation pan. When the furnace’s reservoir becomes filled with condensed water, the excess runs off and is collected by the condensation pan. When the condensation pan becomes full, the furnace will automatically shut down, and the water will drain away. Your furnace will not restart when this happens. You will need to contact a trained HVAC professional to have your furnace inspected and repaired. The technician will find the reason for the excessive amount of water in your heating system and correct the problem.
Connectivity Issues
Your furnace may not be powering on due to a poor electrical connection. The wiring may have become defective in some part of the system. You will require the help of an HVAC technician who will be able to determine the extent of the damage and make any necessary repairs. Don’t try to repair the problem yourself as it can be extremely dangerous.
Still Have Questions About Your Furnace?
The professionals at New Albany Heating & Cooling are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to meet all of your HVAC needs and to keep your system performing it’s best when the cold weather season arrives. Give us a call at (614) 636-5002 or visit our web page at https://newalbanyheatingcooling.comschedule-now/ to schedule an appointment to have your system inspected and any necessary repairs completed right away.
