5 Possible Reasons Your Furnace Is Not Working

Has your furnace stopped working? Does it not switch on or heat up the air as expected? If yes, you need to understand that this problem may have been caused by many different issues. A properly functioning gas furnace is important because it will ensure that the air in your home is warmed up by your central heating system, keeping you and your loved ones warm through the cold winter season.

Shaul’s is a local heating contractor in Vancouver BC that provides professional heating services in Vancouver BC.

Some furnaces, including gas furnaces, will last between 15 to 20 years. There’s a good chance you can get it up and running again if yours is much younger than this. If you’re looking for a trusted gas contractor in Vancouver BC, Shaul’s is the one. We offer quality gas services in Vancouver BC.

Here are five common problems that may cause your furnace to stop working, and what you can do to fix them.

Malfunctioning Thermostat

This may sound pretty simple, but the source of many a malfunctioning furnace is actually the thermostat, which is your heating system’s control center.

For troubleshooting, set your thermostat to heat rather than cool, then set it to 5 degrees above room temperature and see if the furnace will come on.

If it doesn’t operate as it should, the problem could be as straightforward and simple as the batteries of the thermostat. When the batteries die, the display will go blank and your heating and cooling system will no longer be operated by the thermostat. Simply replacing the batteries every year is a good way to avoid this issue.

A Gas Line Problem

Verify that the gas is turned on first. This can be checked by testing the outside shut-off valve. Another simple way to tell if the gas is on and works properly is to start another gas-burning unit, such as the stove.

If the gas line does not seem to be the problem and the gas flows to other appliances, please check to ensure that the gas supply to the furnace itself is open and clear. If the gas supply to the furnace is disrupted, there may be a lack of the amount of fuel needed to ignite your furnace.

Finally, if you smell gas or think there’s a leak, immediately evacuate your home and call a professional.

The Furnace Isn’t Switched On

We hate to ask, but is it possible that your furnace is not turned on? Sounds like a no-brainer, but if you recently performed repairs or maintenance work on your furnace, and for some reason, it doesn’t work, you may want to check to make sure it was turned on. There is a basic power switch for all furnaces.

You might also want to check your circuit breaker or fuse, which might have been turned off. Finally, make sure that the front panel that covers the blower motor is securely fastened – underneath it you will find a push-in switch that needs to be completely depressed to turn on your furnace.

Clogged Or Dirty Filters

Because the filters prevent dirt and other contaminants from entering your home, frequent cleaning and changing of the filters is necessary to prevent them from clogging. If routine filter cleaning and changes haven’t been done and your vents and registers are completely blocked, the airflow of the furnace can be greatly impaired.

If the filter is clean and has been changed recently, and vent registers are clear of blockages, but still the furnace isn’t working, then you have to call a professional for help.

Ignition Problems

Older gas furnaces have pilot lights while electric ignition is present in newer versions. Your furnace problems may be caused by the pilot or electronic ignition. If the pilot light does not remain lit, this may have been due to problems such as a blocked pilot orifice, a loose or defective thermocouple, a malfunctioning safety cutoff controller, or the flame of the pilot may have been set too low.

The ignition problem may present problems for gas furnaces with electrical ignition where the furnace keeps turning off after a short time. This can be solved by switching off the unit and switching on the power again, which resets the ignition control module.

If you’ve concluded that the problem isn’t one of these things, or you know it’s the motor or wiring that causes the problem, you should not try to solve the problem on your own and instead call a professional furnace contractor to handle your furnace.

For services, call us now at 778-397-4850 or leave us a message. As a certified plumbing contractor in Vancouver BC, Shaul’s offers quality, professional plumbing services in Vancouver BC. We also are available anytime for emergencies.