Why Isn't My Heater Working?

When your furnace stops working as it should, you have two options. Either you can seek out the help of a professional heating and cooling specialist who can come out and examine your system for you, or you can consider whether the problem with your furnace is something simple enough for you to manage on your own.

Although there are certain furnace heater problems that require the expertise of a professional, it's worth noting that there are also common concerns that you can handle on your own too. Here, we'll look at some of the most common issues that furnaces face, and address some of the ways that you might be able to troubleshoot and overcome your issues by yourself.

Remember, if you're concerned about your safety, or you're unsure what's wrong with your furnace, do not attempt to fix the problem yourself. Doing this could make the issue worse, and mean that you end up with additional repairs to pay for.

Problem 1: Your System Won't Turn On

If your home heating system refuses to turn on and functions as usual, then the first thing you'll need to do is make sure that there is power going to your furnace. This might seem relatively obvious, but you should begin by looking at the electrical switch at the side of your heating system, to check that the unit hasn't been accidentally turned off. This is a common problem when people are moving or organizing rooms, as they can end up flipping the switch without realizing.

Once you're sure that the service switch is in the "on" position, you can consider heading over to your home's electrical panel. Double-check to verify that the circuit connected to your furnace heater hasn't been tripped. If it has, then you'll need to reset the breaker and check to see whether that fixes the problem.

If resetting the breaker doesn't work, then the last place you can check before calling a professional is the thermostat. Make sure that the thermostat is set to a temperature that's higher than the current temperature in your home, and try turning it up a few notches to see whether this kicks the heater into action.

Problem 2: The Fan Runs, but the System Doesn't Produce Heat

Sometimes, you may be able to hear your furnace’s fans and blowers running as they should, but despite this, you can't feel any heat coming out of the vents or radiators. There are plenty of reasons why this problem might occur. For instance, one of the first things you'll need to think about is whether your furnace has a pilot light.

If you have your own pilot light, then you'll need to double-check to make sure that it's lit. If this is not the problem, and your furnace is gas-powered, then you should be able to eliminate gas supply as the potential cause of your problem.

Next, go to your air filter and make sure that it's clean. Most HVAC experts recommend changing your filter at least every three months, as dirty or a blocked filter can cause your furnace to perform inefficiently, and even prevent you from feeling the benefits of your system.

Problem 3: Your Furnace Shuts Down Mid-Cycle

Finally, if your furnace is running as it should, and blowing hot air, but the cycle frequently shuts down or turns off before your home has finished warming up to the correct temperature, then this could be a sign that you're suffering from a number of common heater issues.

To start with, check your air filter regularly and make sure that it is clean. Remember, an air filter doesn't just contribute to the quality of air that you get in your home, but the efficiency and performance of your heater. If your furnace system has to work harder to push air around your property, then it could be short-circuiting as a result.

If your air filter isn't the problem, then there's a chance that your furnace could be employing a safety feature that is designed to keep it from overheating. You could also be losing air somewhere in your ductwork as a result of a crack or some unnoticed damage. The best thing you can do in these circumstances is call a professional out to diagnose the problem on your behalf.

Dealing with Common Heating Problems

If you've tried troubleshooting your problem with the sections above, and you don't see any results, or your problem is something that can't be defined from above, then you'll need to call for help from a heating and cooling professional. An experienced HVAC repair technician will be able to seek out the source of your problem and provide guidance on how to fix a wide range of issues.