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Q: We recently moved into our home and now that it’s getting cold, we’ve noticed that the furnace isn’t turning on. We know we need to get it working before the pipes freeze but have no idea what the problem is. Can we troubleshoot the issue of a furnace not turning on ourselves, rather than calling a technician?
A : Cold home away and chatter teeth aside , a malfunctioning home furnace could run to dear damage — include , as you mention , pipes freezing . glacial temperatures or the resulting condensation can potentially damage windows , and it ’s possible for a business firm that ’s unheated through the freezing winter months to even buckle under to structural damage .
get your furnace going duringcold weatheris a high priority and should be dealt with immediately , but it does n’t of necessity mean that you ’ll have to call amaintenance specialist . If your furnace quits make there are a number of result tofurnace problemsthat you may undertake , including setting the thermoregulator and , if you have a accelerator pedal good example , reigniting the furnace ’s pilot film ignitor . interpret on for somefurnace troubleshootingtactics to try before call a service technician .
Make sure the thermostat is on.
The most obvious solution for a furnace not turn on is frequently leave out when troubleshooting heating systems : Many folk ignore to check the thermoregulator , the part of your heating system system that assesses the elbow room ’s temperature and allows you to place and adjust the desired temperature . A thermostat is typically install on one of the main walls in your menage , a little high-pitched than a light switching .
If your thermostat wo n’t turn on , the machine ca n’t tell the furnace when to turn on . So , if you have aprogrammable thermoregulator , check to ensure the display is combat-ready , the furnace is on , and the unit is set to warmth . If you have a manualthermostat , note that during dust or other family cleaning chores , the electric switch can accidentally get criticize into an “ off ” position . Once you ’ve determined that the thermostat is on , turn the heat up to a temperature that typically causes the furnace to change over on ; this temperature can vary from thermostat to thermostat . If the heat does n’t kick on after a second or so , increase the temperature correct significantly as you go forward troubleshoot .
Make sure the gas is turned on.
Any throttle furnace will have a valve or gasolene pecker located within 6 metrical unit of the unit . Furnace valve designs vary , but they often include a little disk with a small handgrip or lever on it . Some flatulence valves can depend like little box , while still others can resemble a lever about the size of your index finger ( often brightly colored ) .
The valve may have been closed by stroke or by someone working on the furnace who forget to twist it back on . While valve can vary depending on make or maker , a gas valve will typically be in the undefendable position — which means there is gas flowing through the pipage — if the hold on the valve is parallel with the pipe . If the handgrip is perpendicular to the organ pipe , the valve is in all probability closed . To spread out it , become the little handle so that it ’s parallel to the pipe .
If the furnace still does n’t kvetch on once the valve is open , watch another gas gismo in the house , such as astoveorfireplace , to see if it ’s still working . If the other gun appliances do n’t turn on , you may not have gas come into your home . This can be the solution of crews working somewhere on the gas course , or there might be a gas leak , a fracture , or even a blockage in the business line . A gas making water can be a dangerous situation , so if you surmise this to be the guinea pig , call 911 now and conform to their statement .
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To assess the billet , go outside and stop the street - sidegas valveand then the internal menage - side valve to see if they are on . If they are not on , turn the valve to the open or “ on ” side ( as trace above ) should get gas flowing into your home once again . If yourfurnaceand other gas appliances still wo n’t turn on , contact your utility company to find out if they ’re working in your area or if there have been any divine service interruption . If that ’s not the vitrine , match the status of your account . Whether due to a technical glitch or human oversight , a lack or incompleteutility paymentcan result in a Robert William Service gap .
Check the furnace’s power switch position.
Sometimes the reasonableness for a furnace not turning on is because it ’s plainly turned off . Locate the power switch on the furnace itself , which is likely on a nearby wall , or even on a roof or floor joist near the social unit . It will often wait like a unconstipated light switch , and it might or might not be labeled . Typically , but not always , the “ on ” location is up , although this will depend on the installation . It ’s leisurely for someone unfamiliar with the house to accidentally turn the furnace off , mistaking it for a light electric switch . Flip this switch back to the “ on ” position and await for the unit to come out up . Some furnaces can take several minute before they resume functioning .
Replace the air filter.
A clotted air filter will stop a furnace from heating plant properly . Over clock time , an air filter can become clogged with dust , hairsbreadth , or other household debris , making your furnace less efficient . As well , restricted flow of air can get the heat in the heat exchanger to continually increase . Every furnace has limit switches that trigger off when temperatures exceed a designated point , shutting down the furnace . To keep the unit of measurement functioning in effect , furnace air filtersshould be replaced every 1 to 3 months , regardless of any heating system or air flow issues .
To observe the filter , locate the spot where atmosphere flows into the furnace when it is turn . Slide the previous filter out and examine the side for a simulation number and size so you know which alternate filter to buy . Whenchanging the furnace filter , insure the frame for an pointer mark , which indicates the centering the air is flow . As you slither the newfurnace filterinto place , be sure to position the arrow so that it face the furnace .
Check the ignition sensor.
If you ’re sure-footed in your DIY skills , you may wish to clean the inflammation detector ( aka flame sensor ) on your furnace . The ignition sensing element is a base hit gimmick that discover whether the furnace is burning petrol . The sensor use the increasing temperature in the furnace to identify flames . If the sensing element can not detect a flame , it will shut down the furnace to foreclose unburned accelerator pedal from escape . Residue buildup can arrest the flame sensing element from go right . clean it can permit the furnace to turn on and function properly . If this troubleshooting tactic feels beyond the background of your DIY skills , it may be time to call a pro . To get an estimation of what ’s involve , consider these basic instructions for cleaning the ignition sensing element :
If after trying these solutions your furnace still does n’t change by reversal on , it may be time to consider call in a furnace repair professional . Check online directory to chance repair technician in your neighborhood . Your local home refurbishment shop can also be a heavy resource for finding furnace repair technicians .
Final Thoughts
When your furnace does n’t turn on , it might be tempting to thrust your hands in the air and pass on for the earphone to call in the magnanimous guns . However , before you sour to a pro , take a deep breath , straighten your shoulders , and try out some DIY strategies of your own . The job could be as simple as a dirty filter or a flipped switch , or possibly — oops — the dog ate the accelerator pedal bill .
go through our list of mending , and if the furnace still is n’t turn on , then you’re able to call in the experts .
FAQs
In a gas furnace , small flames are create by the burning of lifelike gas or fluid propane gun in twist called burners . fan waste the heat energy emitted by these fire into a duct system of rules that distributes heat throughout the home .
Your furnace unit might have a reset push attached to it . settle this button and press and hold for several seconds , then loose . or else , there might be a switch located on the rampart near your furnace . If this does n’t work out , you may have to readjust the circle breaker colligate with the furnace .
Furnace designs deviate by producer , so your best stakes is to confer with the user ’s manual to locate the furnace reset button for your picky unit . It is often attached to the side of the blower motor , which is inside the cetacean compartment . ( If you do n’t have the manual handy , find the model number on the furnace and search online . )
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
The first step is to check the display on your thermostat . If it is blank or does n’t reply when you assay to make adjustments , it ’s likely the thermoregulator that ’s better . If the display reply , but the furnace does not , trouble-shoot the furnace as outline above .
If airwave is coming out of the vents , but the line is not hot , the pilot light could be out . In your furnace social unit , incur the panel that hides the pilot light and open it . If you do n’t see a small blue flame , the pilot luminousness is out .
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