What To Do If Your Furnace Goes Out

why isnt furnace working
Montana weather can be tricky, and cold can set in even during warmer summer months (let alone those snowy Flathead Valley winters!) There is nothing worse than waking up on a frigid morning to realize there is something wrong with your heating system, and your furnace is not producing warm air. If you furnace goes out or is malfunctioning, your first thought might be to call a furnace repair company. While this might be necessary for some furnace problems, you may be able to fix the problem yourself with a few quick tricks. We have compiled some troubleshooting tips for a malfunctioning furnace below.Montana weather can be tricky, and cold can set in even during warmer summer months (let alone those snowy Flathead Valley winters!) There is nothing worse than waking up on a frigid morning to realize there is something wrong with your heating system, and your furnace is not producing warm air. If you furnace goes out or is malfunctioning, your first thought might be to call a furnace repair company. While this might be necessary for some furnace problems, you may be able to fix the problem yourself with a few quick tricks. We have compiled some troubleshooting tips for a malfunctioning furnace below.

Troubleshooting a Malfunctioning Furnace

Waking up to a cold home is not pleasant, especially if you assumed your furnace would be keeping you toasty in the Montana winter. However, try these easy troubleshooting tips to fix a malfunctioning furnace.

Check Your Furnace’s Power

The first thing you should check is whether the power switch is on. Check the power switch, usually located on the furnace itself or by a box on a nearby wall that will look similar to a light switch. Sometimes, the power switch can be unintentionally bumped off during cleaning or other movement in the house. If the switch is off, turn it back on and wait a couple minutes, as there is often a delay between the switch and the furnace turning back on.

Make Sure Your Thermostat is Working

If the power switch is on, your next stop should be the thermostat. Like power switches, thermostats are susceptible to being bumped off or reset. Make sure your thermostat is set to “heat,” and that the temperature setting is accurate. The switch for the fan should also be on.

Circuit Breakers

Next stop on the troubleshooting checklist is the circuit breaker box. Since both oil and gas furnaces require electricity to operate, they are connected to your home’s circuit breaker. Check if there are any popped breakers, and if so, return the popped breaker to the “on” position. In addition, your furnace may have a circuit breaker on the unit that has popped. Note – if you have reset one or both breakers once and they pop a second time, do not continue to reset them, as this could cause damage to your system. There is probably a deeper issue causing these breakers to pop, and it is time to call a professional heating service company.

Check Your Furnace Fuel Source

The easiest way to check if your gas or propane are not working is to check if other appliances that run off these fuels are working, such as a stove or hot water heater. If both your furnace and the other appliance are not working, there may be an issue with the fuel. Try checking to make sure that your gas value is in the “on” position, or if your propane tank is empty. You may just need to refill.

Blower Motor Panel

Make sure the blower motor panel is pushed in all the way; your furnace can sense if the blower motor panel is open and will not run if it is.

Air Filter

As part of the safety features, newer furnaces will not run if there is too much heat or pressure. This feature prevents overheating. If the air filter is dirty of clogged, the air filter can trap heat and air, setting off this function. You should replace your air filters regularly to keep your furnace running properly.

Condensate Pan

Each furnace has a condensate pan that should be draining or pumping water out to remove it. If there is standing water here, your pump or drain may have built up a blockage. You can buy tablets at your local hardware store to help clean the flow. If this is still not working, you may need a new pump.

Further Maintenance

Sometimes, troubleshooting a malfunctioning furnace can be as easy as flipping a switch or completing some light maintenance. However, there may be times that you try all the above troubleshooting tips and your furnace still is not working. If that is the case, it is time to contact a professional furnace service like Central Heating and Cooling. Our team can help diagnose more difficult issues or solve serious problems with your heating and cooling system. If you find your furnace is continuing to malfunction, give us a call today.

Scroll to Top
Call 406-756-6656