You’ve heard the saying, “you never know what you have until it is gone”. That sentiment is especially true for your furnace. In cold winter months, it is a necessity to have a furnace that functions as it should to keep you and your family warm. If your furnace shuts down when temperatures plummet, don’t worry. First, we are available for 24/7 emergency service even on holidays. Second, we’ve compiled a handy list of things you can troubleshoot on your own.
1. Check Power
One of the first things you will want to do is check the power. Whether electric or gas, your furnace needs electricity to work. If the power to your home is out, call the electric company to see how long it will be until the power comes back on. However, if you have power to the rest of your home, there might be some other reasons your furnace shutdown. In some homes, there is a light switch near the furnace – this switch has been known to be bumped or flipped by little hands or errant movements. Check around your unit for this as well!
2. Check Thermostat
Sometimes it could just be a quick fix of some new batteries or making sure the date and time are correct on your thermostat. If you recently replaced the batteries, next you will want to check your thermostat settings. Make sure it is set to “heat” and then set your thermostat a few degrees cooler than the current room’s temperature. You should be able to hear the furnace turn on. If you still don’t hear the furnace turn on, next you will want to check the furnace itself.
3. Check Outside
If you have a new furnace, you may have one that vents out the side of your home instead of through your chimney. If this vent gets blocked or clogged, your furnace will also shutoff. Usually a side vent is a white pipe coming out of your home near where your furnace is in your home. If an animal decides to make a home or we get a large snow fall, clearing this vent may do the trick.
4. Check Furnace
Now it is time to consider that the furnace is the problem. Some things to check on your furnace include:
- Clogged Filter – A dirty filter can impair the functionality of a furnace. If it is clogged enough, it could even trigger an emergency shutdown.
- Blinking Lights – There should be a small hole with flashing lights on your furnace. If you see a certain number of blinking lights, this can help determine the problem.
- Pilot Light – Make sure the gas is on by checking your pilot light. If it is, but you see something other than a blue flame, call for service as soon as possible.
- Rotten Eggs – If you notice a rotten egg smell, it could indicate a gas leak from a gas furnace. You should immediately shut off the furnace, go outside, and call your local gas company for a possible leak.
5. Additional Checks
Another thing to check before calling for service is a tripped circuit breaker. If this is the case, simply reset the circuit and wait to hear the furnace turn back on. If it still doesn’t turn on, it is time to call a professional.
After all other possibilities are ruled out, call a qualified HVAC specialist like Binder Heating. We will be able to quickly and affectively diagnose your furnace problems.
Binder Heating – Professional. Honest. Dedicated.
