Why Won’t My Furnace Turn On?

With the dangerous sub-zero temperatures, wind chill, and icy weather Illinois has seen over the past week, it’s no question that our heating systems are vital to staying warm during the winter. It’s one thing when a minor issue seems to be keeping a furnace from running at its best, but what is a homeowner to do when the furnace won’t turn on at all?

As the Peoria, IL area’s local HVAC contractor, we’re here to help you get your furnace back up and running. Here are some of the most common causes we see behind a furnace that won’t turn on — and what you should do if you spot one of these furnace issues.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

Even if your furnace runs on propane, oil, or natural gas, it still has some components (like the thermostat and electrical ignitor) which require electricity to operate. Check the circuit breaker for your heating system and make sure it’s in the “on” position. If not, turn it completely to the “off” position and then back to the “on” position to reset it. If your furnace has a circuit breaker as well, be sure to check that too.

Keep in mind here that you should only reset the circuit breaker once. If it continues to trip after the reset, it’s doing so for a reason and you need to contact an electrician.

Improper Thermostat Settings

You would be surprised at how often thermostat settings are the culprit behind a furnace that won’t run. Even if you feel like you’ve already checked your thermostat settings, go ahead and check them once more. Make sure the thermostat is on and in heating mode — and that it hasn’t gone into some sort of vacation mode. Also, be sure that it has working batteries.

Clogged Air Filter

A clogged air filter puts your furnace at risk of overheating. Newer furnaces have a safety feature that turns the furnace off when it detects a clogged air filter. Make sure your air filter is not overly dirty or dusty — and if it is, replace it.

Broken Blower Motor

If the problem isn’t simply a tripped circuit breaker, improperly set thermostat, or clogged air filter, it could be a broken blower motor. A broken blower motor can be a difficult issue for you to diagnose yourself, so we recommend contacting a heating technician if you get this far in the troubleshooting process.

Clogged Condensate Drain

Furnaces have a condensation pan underneath them, which collects excess water. Should this pan ever become full, the furnace will not turn on. Draining the pan may resolve the issue temporarily, but you likely have a clogged condensate drain or another related issue on your hands. A heating expert can help you diagnose the problem and address it properly.

We Offer Fast & Reliable Furnace Repair in Peoria, IL

At AAA Northgate One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning®, we help homeowners tackle their furnace issues large and small. Whether your heating system just doesn’t seem to work as well as it once did, or it has broken down completely, we’ve got you covered. We even offer furnace maintenance to help you prevent these types of issues down the road.

Our team is dedicated to providing our customers in the Peoria area with fast and reliable service and even offers emergency repair service. We also keep our trucks stocked with common furnace parts so your system can be back up and running as soon as possible. Having furnace trouble in Peoria or nearby East Peoria, Pekin, Morton, or Bloomington? We’ll help you diagnose and repair the issue!