A furnace may fail to start because of a malfunctioning thermostat, a clogged filter, or a pilot light that has gone out altogether. While some of these problems are easy to fix, others require professional help. Here are three reasons your furnace won’t start.
1. Malfunctioning Thermostat
If your furnace won’t turn on, you may want to check the thermostat to ensure it’s working as expected. Check for wrong settings, dead batteries, and issues in calibration. If replacing batteries or calibrating as necessary does not solve the problem, you may want to call a pro.
Technicians may unscrew the thermostat to see if the wires are properly attached or surrounded by dust. That is because dusty, broken, or loose wires can prevent a thermostat from operating properly, making your furnace fail to start. Technicians may also check the display for error codes and take the necessary steps to reset the thermostat.
2. Faulty Burner Ignition
While newer furnaces have an electronic ignition, older models feature a standing ignition. A furnace that won’t start but has a working fan may be dealing with a pilot light that has gone out. This feature works as an ignition source and is crucial for starting the heating process within your furnace. The heat exchanger will not power on your furnace if it doesn’t sense an ignition.
This problem is best left to professionals for safe and efficient operation. Technicians will start by turning off the gas in the furnace or powering down the electricity. After that, they will remove the front panel to access the ignitor. If the sensor is dirty, technicians will remove it using a screwdriver and carefully clean it. Once done, they will put everything back on and start the furnace.
3. Tripped Circuit Breaker
Propane and gas furnaces require electricity to operate. This means if yours won’t start, you may need to check the fuse or circuit breaker. Go to your electrical panel and ensure all the switches connected to your HVAC system are on. If you notice they’re not in the “ON” setting, carefully get the breakers back into place.
It’s important to note that you will need a technician’s help if your circuit breaker keeps tripping. Also, you may want to contact a technician if fuses are blown. That is because accessing and working on an electrical panel without the necessary skills and equipment can be dangerous.
Reach Out Today
If your furnace won’t start, call a professional technician to perform diagnostics and fix any problems it may be having. You can also schedule a heating system tune-up to maintain the efficiency of your furnace. If you are a resident of Oceano, CA, and you’re looking for top-notch heating repair services, call Sargent’s Plumbing and Heating today.
