Few inconveniences cause more frustration than a furnace that won’t turn on! You need to mitigate the chill, but your furnace remains unresponsive. Therefore, you turn to the internet to find reasons why your furnace won’t turn on.
S&L Air Conditioning and Heating provides HVAC repair services in Bowie, Maryland. Throughout our experience, we’ve uncovered numerous reasons behind unresponsive furnaces. Check out the common causes below to determine what’s ailing your system.
Common Reasons Why a Furnace Won’t Turn On
Sometimes, your furnace won’t heat your home because of a simple issue. You can often handle these tasks on your own, but other times, your furnace needs an inspection and service from a local HVAC technician who knows the ins and outs of HVAC systems. Peruse the list below to find out whether you need professional assistance.
Triggered Safety Features
Furnaces and boilers come with various safety features to prevent explosions and exposure to toxic gases. When these features work as they should, they’ll force your furnace to shut down when dangers are present. However, other, more innocuous influences can also trigger a shutdown:
- Safety float switch: Your furnace has a condensation pan that catches excess moisture. The float switch in the pan measures the water levels to prevent overflow. It forces a shutdown if water levels rise too high within the pan, protecting your home from water damage.
- Limit switch: Limit switches keep furnaces from overheating. However, excessive dirt or damage can also cause the limit switch to prevent your furnace from working.
- Pressure switch: This component prevents waste gasses from reentering the furnace. If the switch becomes dirty or a relevant component breaks, it will eventually trigger your furnace to shut down.
Only qualified technicians should diagnose and handle triggered safety features to ensure your furnace can operate safely.
Damaged or Dirty Components
If your furnace won’t turn on, it might need a repair or maintenance service before it’ll heat your home again without a hitch. Broken or filthy components may cause the system to quit mid-cycle. HVAC technicians frequently encounter the following issues during a repair service:
- Dirty flame sensor: Flame sensors need occasional cleaning to work properly. Maintenance services typically cover this task.
- Blower motor failure: The blower motor uses power to produce and disperse airflow throughout your home. If it becomes dirty or pertinent parts malfunction, the motor could fail.
- Malfunctioning pilot light: Like the flame sensor, the pilot light gradually develops a grimy film.
Thermostat Issues
Thermostat issues are fairly common. You can likely solve the problem on your own, but you should first confirm that you have the device set to the heat setting.
Then, change the batteries. Dead or dying batteries can prevent signals from reaching your HVAC system. If neither of these solutions helps, contact your preferred HVAC service to check for faulty thermostat wiring.
Short Fuel Supply
Your furnace may not have enough fuel to power its heating cycles. Under rare circumstances, the gas line may leak. You’ll notice warning signs, such as:
- The smell of rotten eggs
- Triggered carbon monoxide detectors
- Dead or dying plant life surrounding the leak
- A feeling of unwellness
Contact emergency services and your emergency HVAC technician immediately as you evacuate the building.
However, low fuel supplies more frequently occur because you need a top-up from your preferred gas company. Call your supply representative to check your levels and fill your supply.
Tripped Breaker
Circuit breakers control the power supply to various appliances and areas within your home. A power surge can cause a trip, which stops electricity from reaching its target. Check your breaker box for a tripped circuit breaker connected to your HVAC system.
Flip the breaker back to its original position. Your furnace should begin cycling. Constant breaker trips signify an electrical problem that a professional electrician or HVAC technician should remedy.
Prevent Unexpected Furnace Failures
Furnace failures create more than inconveniences. Maryland’s harsh winters can become dangerous without a reliable source of heat. You can avoid unexpected failures by:
- Scheduling annual maintenance services: HVAC technicians cover most of the listed issues when they inspect, clean, and retune your furnace and its components.
- Lightening your furnace’s workload: If you prefer higher indoor temperatures, you might overwork your furnace. Explore space heater placement and other supplemental heating methods.
- Staying on top of your fuel levels: Check your fuel gauges occasionally.
Failing Furnace? Call S&L Air Conditioning and Heating for Answers
Call S&L Air Conditioning and Heating at 301-381-2147 when your furnace won’t turn on. Our technicians will identify the issue and implement reliable solutions. We also know how to size a furnace for trustworthy installations.