There are many homeowners out there who only realize that their furnace has stopped working when they decide to turn it on during the winter season. Therefore, if you discover that the furnace is not igniting when you need it most, it’s a good idea to know some tactics for troubleshooting your furnace ignition to get the heating system up and running quickly.
Assuming that the furnace was properly maintained, it can sometimes be a simple fix that may not need any professional help. This article discusses how to troubleshoot your furnace ignition.
The Thermostat
Starting with the thermostat is the first thing you need to do, so make sure that it’s set to heat. Besides, ensure that your home is colder than the temperature of the thermostat that it’s set to. However, if these are not the reasons that are causing the problem, then try to turn on the fan switch to enable the furnace ti begin blowing air.
If the furnace still doesn’t turn on, perhaps you need to check the programmable thermostat for error codes. Quite often, electronic thermostats that are new tend to display an error code when something is wrong. Therefore, check this display and find out if it can tell you the problem. If the problem still persists after trying all these options, then the problem is trickier than just a thermostat fix.
The Gas Line
This should also be one of the first steps you need to take. You should verify that the gas is turned on by checking the shut-off valve outside the house. Another way you can tell if the gas is turned on and working is by switching on another gas burning device, such as the stove.
If it appears like the gas line is working properly and the gas is flowing to another appliance, then you need to check the gas supply to your furnace. Make sure that the gas supply is open and clear.
If the supply of gas to the furnace is disrupted, the furnace can lack the right amount of gas to ignite it. Finally, if you think there is a leak or you can smell the gas, go out of the house quickly and contact an expert to examine the problem.
The Furnace
The furnace can sometimes cause this problem. There is a switch in the furnace that can accidentally switch off, so ensure that the power is on. Regardless of whether or not you have a gas system, remember that it still uses electricity, so it needs to be turned on. You can find a power disconnect switch that is by the furnace.
You also need to check the breaker to ensure that the power going to the furnace is not tripped. Therefore, if it’s tripped, make sure that you turn it on. But if it keeps on tripping, then you need to call a technician because something can be wrong. An HVAC technician has the necessary skills and experience to determine the cause of the problem.