Why Is My Furnace Not Heating?

From simple fixes to comprehensive repairs or even replacement, there may be many reasons why your furnace is not heating. There could be a problem with the heat registers or the thermostat. You may have a blown fuse, or the furnace may simply be old and in need of replacing.

Whatever the reason, if your furnace is not heating and you’ve checked the basics listed below, call Ambient Edge for help.

Troubleshooting Your Furnace

There is never a good time for your furnace to be malfunctioning, so the moment you notice yours is not working properly, run through this basic checklist. If it’s an easy fix, congratulations! You’ll have heat again. If your furnace is still not working, it’s time to call in the Ambient Edge experts.

Heat Registers

If one or more rooms in your home feels cold, but the furnace looks, feels, and sounds like it is turning on, the problem may be your heat registers. Make sure all registers are open, wait several minutes, and check the registers continuously to see if any warm air is blowing through them. You can also check the thermostat to see if the temperature is rising.

Thermostat

If the registers are all open, but you are still having issues with your furnace, check your thermostat. The thermostat setting should be on heat and the fan set to auto. Increase the temperature to make sure your furnace will turn on. A thermostat with low batteries or poor wiring may also not be communicating properly with your HVAC system.

Fuses or Breakers

We get a lot of panicked calls from people wondering why their furnace isn’t heating. Often the solution is simply to check the circuit breaker or fuse and make sure power is getting to the furnace in the first place. The electrical switch on your furnace must also be set to on.

Reset

Some furnaces have a reset button. Push the reset button. If the furnace starts working properly again, keep an eye on it. If your furnace is continually shutting down and requiring a reset, there may be other, bigger issues at play.

Filters

Check your furnace’s filters. If they are dirty and caked with dust, it’s well past time to change the filter. Depending on the type and thickness of your furnace filter, it is recommended you change the filter at least every other month or once every three months.

If air cannot flow through your furnace filter properly (or at all), the furnace can overheat and shut down. Simply replacing your furnace filter with a clean one could be the solution.

Furnace Area

If you have any items stacked around or near the furnace, move them to create an unblocked area. Clear space around your furnace helps alleviate fire hazards but also allows for proper airflow.

Also, make sure any doors or panels on the furnace are properly closed. Some furnace models won’t work correctly if there are loose or open doors or panels.

Pilot Light

If your furnace is an older model with a pilot light that continuously remains lit, check to see if the pilot is on. If the light appears to be extinguished, follow your furnace manual instructions on how to safely and properly attempt to relight the pilot.

If you notice the pilot light has gone out and you’re not comfortable relighting it on your own, call Ambient Edge and we can help.

Gas Line

Check to see that the switch to the main gas line is in the on position. If the gas has been turned off for your entire home, it will certainly affect the functioning of your furnace.

Call (702) 944-8838 Today or Book Online for Heating and Cooling Service!

Ambient Edge Can Help with the More Serious Furnace Issues

If you have an older furnace, it may have reached the end of its life or is coming close to being obsolete. Older furnaces are only 50 to 70% efficient, according to the U.S. Energy Department. If your older furnace needs to be replaced, your home could be much more comfortable and your energy bills lower when you upgrade to a new model.

If you already have a newer furnace, electronics or digital equipment may need repair.

More serious, but common, furnace issues include:

Issues with a malfunctioning or broken heat exchanger
Inoperable blower capacitor
Dirty or burned out inducer draft motor
Not enough refrigerant
Worn out heat pump or starter
Issues with the pilot or ignitor

Proper Furnace Maintenance

We offer several HVAC maintenance plans to ensure your system stays clean and in proper working order year-round. Dirty motors and parts, filthy air filters, dirt, dust, and grime affecting the burners or flame sensors — all of these issues can be prevented with proper care and maintenance by a professional.

An annual HVAC inspection and maintenance appointment can save you thousands of dollars in repairs and prevent emergencies like your furnace not heating in the middle of a cold night.

Schedule Your Furnace Assessment Now

Ambient Edge. We offer 24-hour emergency service when you need it. Our experienced repair technicians can quickly check your furnace, pinpoint any issues, and quickly make necessary repairs.