Furnace Not Working? A Troubleshooting Guide for Ontario Homeowners
Published: January 12, 2022
Share:
As a homeowner in Ontario, maintaining your furnace is key to staying comfortable during the cold winter months. When your furnace stops working, it can be stressful, but many issues can be resolved with some basic troubleshooting. Here’s a guide to help you identify and fix common furnace problems before calling a professional.
Thermostat Not Working
If your furnace isn’t turning on, the first place to check is the thermostat. A dead thermostat is often caused by old batteries. Replace the batteries and see if this solves the problem. If it doesn’t, head to your electrical panel to check if the breaker for your HVAC system has tripped. Reset the breaker by switching it off and on again.
If neither of these fixes works, your thermostat may need to be replaced. Replacing a thermostat is typically a simple job for homeowners—just follow the instructions that
come with the new unit.
Furnace Not Turning On After Maintenance
After maintenance work, your furnace might not turn on right away. Many modern furnaces come equipped with a safety switch on the access door. When this door is open, the switch prevents the furnace from running. Make sure the door is completely closed to disengage the safety switch and allow your furnace to operate normally.
Furnace Won’t Stay On
If your furnace turns on but shuts off quickly, the issue could be fuel-related. Oil or propane furnaces require a constant fuel supply, and if your tank is empty, the furnace won’t stay on. Always keep an eye on your fuel levels and schedule regular refills to avoid this problem.
Decreased Airflow
If your furnace is on but the airflow is weak, the problem might be a clogged air filter. Your furnace filter should be replaced every two to three months, especially during high-use seasons. A clogged filter can restrict airflow, making your furnace work harder to heat your home. Locate the filter, replace it with a new one that matches the model number, and see if your airflow improves.
Resetting Your Furnace
Resetting your furnace can often fix minor issues like power surges or internal errors. Here’s how to do it:
Turn off the thermostat.
Go to your breaker panel and switch off the HVAC system breaker.
Wait at least five minutes before switching the breaker back on.
After turning the breaker back on, give your furnace about 30 minutes to reset before turning the thermostat on again.
This process will allow the furnace’s internal components to reset and can solve many common problems. Be sure to consult your furnace’s manual for any specific reset instructions.
Pilot Light Issues
If you have an older furnace with a pilot light and your furnace isn’t turning on, the pilot light might be out. A pilot light should burn with a bright blue flame. If it’s out or flickering, dirt or a draft may have extinguished it.
To relight your pilot:
Turn the gas valve to the “Off” position and wait a minute for gas to clear.
Switch the valve to “Pilot” and press the reset button while lighting the pilot with a long match or lighter.
Once the flame is steady and blue, turn the valve to the “On” position.
If the pilot doesn’t stay lit, you may need to clean or replace the pilot assembly.
Decreased Airflow in One Room
One frustrating problem that you may find yourself dealing with is one room in your home that doesn’t get warm in the wintertime or cool in the summertime. The obvious first step to resolving this issue is to check the vents. Both the supply and return vents should be free from obstructions. It’s not uncommon for a plant or a piece of furniture placed in front of the vent to restrict airflow delivery to the room.
Lighting Your Pilot Light
Furnaces typically utilize either a pilot light or an electronic ignition module to start their burners. If you have a version that uses a pilot light, the light should be a bright blue, solid color. It’s not uncommon for a pilot light to be blown out from time to time. This could be due to a simple breeze, or it could be due to dirt that was obstructing the gas orifice. Either way, you can use a lighter to reset your pilot light.
You want to start by locating the pilot light assembly. Turn the pilot valve to the off position and wait for one minute to let the residual gases clear. Next, turn the valve to the pilot position while you press and hold the reset button. If the pilot light does not ignite, you’ll need to manually light it with a grill lighter or long matchstick. Once the flame turns a solid blue color, you’ll want to turn the valve to the on position.
Furnace Not Working? Call a Professional
If you’ve tried these troubleshooting steps and your furnace still isn’t working, it’s time to call in a professional. Comfort Zone Heating & Air Conditioning provides expert furnace repair and maintenance services throughout Ontario. From Cobourg to the surrounding regions, we offer fast, reliable HVAC service to keep your home warm and comfortable.
Contact us today and let our certified technicians get your furnace back in working order!
