Your house is getting a bit chilly and you need a little heat. The problem? Your gas furnace suddenly does not work, no matter what you do. It doesn’t happen to well-maintained furnaces that often, but it’s a good idea to know how to troubleshoot and, if possible, take care of the problem. In some cases, you might need a helping hand from a seasoned heating contractor.What to Look For
Some careful troubleshooting will help you find out why your gas furnace won’t ignite. If all else fails, have a professional contractor take an in-depth look at your gas furnace, as there could be underlying problems requiring special equipment and expertise to successfully repair:
- Is the thermostat set to “heat” mode? Make sure the proper setting is selected.
- Is the thermostat temperature set higher than the room temperature? If not, raise the thermostat temperature until you hear an audible click.
- Take a look at the thermostat itself. For digital models, make sure the display isn’t blank or flashing a code. For manual thermostats, make sure it hasn’t become too old or too dirty to function. Also, check for loose or corroded wires.
- Check the circuit breaker box to make sure the furnace breaker is on. For fuse boxes, make sure the furnace fuse hasn’t blown.
- In some cases, resetting the power will solve some furnace issues. Flip the circuit breaker to the “OFF” position, wait three minutes and then turn it back on.
- Make sure the pilot light is on. If not, follow the furnace lighting instructions carefully to relight it. If it refuses to stay lit, make sure the furnace gas valve located along the side of the unit is open.
At James Lane Air Conditioning & Plumbing Co., we’re dedicated to keeping your Wichita Falls home comfortable year-round. Contact us today before your gas furnace problems leave you in the cold.
