My Furnace Won’t Come On?
Lots of people never think about their heating system or furnace until the first cold snap and the furnace won’t come on. Then you scramble to figure out what to do and if you need to call a professional.
If you want to avoid calling a professional because the problem might be something simple to fix and you would like to avoid the expense of a service call try these steps.
- Check the thermostat to make sure it is on and turned up.
- A dirty filter can and will cause your furnace to malfunction so check the filter.
- Check the main power source at the circuit breaker box and then go to the emergency cutoff switch. The emergency switch usually look like a regular wall switch except the cover is typically red (but not always, sometimes they have white cover plates).
- Make sure there is gas is getting to the furnace, did you forget to get the propane tank refilled or pay the natural gas bill? If you forgot to pay your gas bill the gas company will put a lock on the meter so check the meter for signs that the gas has been shut off there. Some gas companies will lock your meter if there is a suspected gas leak, if the meter is okay then proceed to the furnace. There should be a valve on the gas line next to the furnace if this valve is in the close position the gas is not getting to the burners. You can usually tell if the valve is open because the valve handle will in line with the gas pipe. If the gas-cock or valve is open then check the gas valve located inside the panel where the gas burners are, look at the top of the valve to see if it is the on position, if it is move on to the next step.
Warning: Today many furnaces have electronic ignition otherwise know as intermittent pilots. You should not attempt to light an intermittent pilot gas furnace. It is not only not possible to light an intermittent pilot gas furnace it is dangerous because you have now gone beyond your capability to deal with a non-functioning furnace and you should call a professional. If you unsure whether you have an intermittent pilot gas furnace or not look at the gas valve, if it doesn’t have a pilot position on the knob then it is an intermittent pilot.
Now that you’re inside the panel and you have determined that there is a pilot, check to see if it is pilot lit. If it is lit and your furnace still won’t start then the it is time to call a furnace professional because your heating systems problems are probably beyond the scope of your ability and proceeding beyond your understanding of the system could be dangerous.
Gas-Cock or Valve, Shown here in the on position.
If you are in the portland oregon area you can call us for help, rose city heating & air, 8946 sw Barbur Blvd. Portland 97219, (503) 636-5371