Coming home after a long day expecting your house to be nice and cozy, but instead walking into a freezer can be unsettling. If you’re furnaces is not turning on, the comfort in your home is compromised. So, what should you do when your furnace is not igniting? We’ve compiled a list of five things to check when your furnace is on the fritz:
Check the Gas Line
Oftentimes homeowners don’t realize their furnace isn’t working until they turn it on for the first time of the year. If your furnace is not igniting, you should first check to make sure the gas is on. You can do this by checking the shut-off valve (usually located outside), or by checking to see if other gas appliances in your home, such as your stove, are working. If everything seems to be in working order, yet you still suspect gas is not getting to the furnace, schedule a service appointment.
Turn Up The Thermostat
While this may seem obvious, if your furnace is not turning on, check your thermostat. Make sure the thermostat is set to heat mode and is turned up high enough to kick the furnace on. It may also be a good idea to activate the fan switch on the furnace to confirm the fan is working. If the furnace still will not turn on, look for an error code. Most modern thermostats are programmed to display status messages that will inform you about the status of your heating system.
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Change The Filter
Filters collect dust and debris, stopping them before they enter the furnace system. If your furnace will not turn on, check the air filters to confirm if they are causing a clog. Clogged air filters may impair the airflow and function of the furnace. To ensure proper airflow, keep up with regular maintenance including filter changes.
Check The Pilot
If your furnace is not igniting and you hear a clicking noise during the activation process, we recommend checking to see if the pilot or ignition sensor is lighting. If the pilot light is not lighting, this may by an exterior layer of dirt around the mechanism. To confirm if this part is contaminated, deactivate the gas supply to the heating system in your home. Next, disassemble the front of the furnace and locate the pilot light. If the pilot light is dirty, this may be the reason your furnace is not igniting.
Carefully remove the pilot light from the furnace and use soap and a sponge to clean the mechanism. After the ignition sensor is sanitized, use a screw driver to install it to the furnace. Also, attach the front panel of your furnace after you are finished cleaning the pilot light. Lastly, raise the temperature on your thermostat to confirm if your furnace is working. If the furnace will not turn on after cleaning the pilot light, give our team a call by phone at (484) 206-8594 or schedule an appointment online to receive assistance.
Clean The Ignition Sensor
We also recommend removing the front paneling of your furnace to confirm if the power switch has been deactivated. If you have recently conducted a furnace repair, it is not uncommon to accidentally deactivate the internal furnace power switch. The gas furnace in your home relies on electricity to perform portions of its standard operation procedure. If the switch by the furnace is deactivated, the furnace will not ignite.
If you’ve checked the power switch and your furnace is not turning on, the power to your system may have been tripped. Open the circuit break panel to confirm if power has been tripped. After this issue has been resolved, increase the temperature on your thermostat to confirm if your furnace is working.
Have you checked everything mentioned above and your furnace is still not turning on? Let the team at Wm. Henderson help you keep the heat on this winter! We offer furnace repair services in areas of Pennsylvania such as West Chester, Coatesville, Broomall, and Conshohocken. We also offer other heating repair services such as heat pump repair, boiler installation, and ductless mini split repair. Give us a call by phone at (484) 206-8594 to receive assistance.
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