You don’t have to be a homeowner for long before you realize that Murphy’s law applies to nearly every aspect of your home. Owning your own house means facing the fact that nearly everything will break; it is just a matter of time. However, an HVAC furnace that won’t start is one of the more frustrating occurrences. We often don’t think about these hardworking appliances until we need them to get to work. During the dog days of summer, we forget that our HVAC furnaces require regular maintenance. So if you’ve come upon fall or winter and your machine isn’t ready to start, you may be panicking. Read on for some tips on what to do if your furnace won’t start!
What Can I Do Before Calling an HVAC Professional?
HVAC furnace replacements and repairs can be quite expensive. When your HVAC Furnace won’t start, your mind immediately goes to the worst – thousands of dollars in a costly replacement or professional technician. However, there are a few simple troubleshooting options any homeowner can conduct for themselves before calling in the big guns. Here are a few steps you can take to try to fix your HVAC furnace yourself!
Steps you Can Take if your HVAC Furnace Won’t Start
Check The Temperature of your Furnace
Here are a few ways to troubleshoot your furnace at the user interface – the thermostat settings. First, ensure the unit is in the “ON” position. Second, check your batteries. Most thermostats are battery powered, and these batteries need to be changed about once a year. This hack can be a lifesaver! Third, ensure your thermostat isn’t running on a preset schedule that keeps it off during these hours. If these options fail, check the wiring. It may have gotten a bit dusty, and a quick wipe-down will give it new life!
Inspect Your Circuit Breakers
The easiest fix on this list is a tripped circuit breaker! No matter if you have a propane or gas system, your electric source can still malfunction and cause problems! So go ahead and hike down to your basement or laundry room and check that box. You can also check the breaker on the furnace itself – look for the small light on the back of the unit. Ensuring the furnace circuit breaker is in the “ON” position is critical. If the circuit is on and your HVAC still isn’t working, it is better to call an electrician than a furnace repair service!
Do You Have Clean Furnace Filters?
Did you know a dirty filter can prevent your HVAC furnace from even starting up? A clogged filter prevents the constant airflow that your system requires. When your furnace doesn’t have an adequate supply of air, it won’t be able to start the igniter. Additionally, a dirty filter is a fire hazard. Most furnaces have safety mechanisms in place to prevent ignition if the filter is too clogged. As a homeowner, you can check and replace a filter quite easily!
Check the Furnace Blower Motor
Your blower motor is the powerhouse of your HVAC furnace. It helps push air throughout your home to heat in the winter and cool in the summer. To check your blower motor, find the little plastic window at the base of the furnace near the filter. A blinking green light indicates your HVAC needs servicing. Don’t forget to tell your heating professional you saw the light!
Is Your Furnace Ignition Switch On?
Checking your furnace ignition should be your last step. Only look at your ignitor if you feel confident about home repairs and electricity. If you are not confident in your fix-it skills, now is the time to contact a professional. If you do want to have a look, find your furnace flame sensor using your owner’s manual. If the sensor is dirty, you will need to clean it before your furnace will start.
How Is Your Furnace Pilot Light Looking?
Even modern gas and propane furnaces still have a little pilot light. This ever-burning flame indicates that gas is still flowing into your system. When gas flow pauses, your furnace turns off to prevent excess propane or gas from filling your house. If you see that your pilot light is out, it’s time to call in a professional – this fix is beyond even an advanced DIYer!
When Is It Time to Involve HVAC Professionals?
Unfortunately, we usually find out about furnace problems when we need our systems to work the most. Have you tried all these steps, and your furnace still won’t start? It might be time to call a professional heating and air company. There could be numerous reasons as to why your HVAC furnace won’t start, and no amateur repairman can know them all. Furnaces are complicated machines, and much of the annual servicing and repairs are best left to the experts. A professional will perform a system inspection and give you options before making any repairs. Don’t worry; you will have your furnace up and running in no time!
Apollo Heating & Air Conditioning Can Help With Furnace Repair
If you have exhausted all of your at-home troubleshooting knowledge, you may be searching for a heating and air technician. Apollo Heating & Air Conditioning can help! We are leading HVAC furnace specialists in the Tri-Cities, Washington area. If you’re having any trouble, give us a call, and we will be happy to come to take a look. We will thoroughly discuss your options while balancing your furnace’s condition and budget. Call us today, or check out our website for a free quote, to schedule a service, or to get more information. We look forward to starting your HVAC furnace repair journey together!
