Furnaces are very reliable appliances for heating your home – especially if they are gas-powered. But even the best furnaces can have problems from time to time. But what is it that causes a furnace to stop heating completely?
It’s a problem none of us want to face. We all expect our heaters to work great and meet our heating needs. But if you’re having furnace troubles and need furnace service in Conyers, GA, our team can help, We’ve fixed it all and we’ve seen it all, so troubleshooting isn’t a problem. For more insights, read about why your furnace might stop heating. There are a few common issues we see that cause a furnace to stop heating.
Thermostat Settings
This may seem obvious, but sometimes furnaces problems are simple user errors. We get so accustomed to using our thermostats that it becomes second nature – we don’t even think about it. Sometimes that can lead us to overlook simple settings that we are missing. If your furnace stops heating your home, check the following thermostat settings before giving us a call:
- Heat mode is selected
- Temperature is a few degrees above the current room temperature
- The battery indicator is not on (your thermostat may need new batteries)
- The breaker is on in the circuit box (the breaker may need to be reset)
Another potential thermostat-related issue is a wiring problem. Loose or damaged wires can prevent the thermostat from sending the correct signals to your furnace, resulting in a system that won’t turn on. If you suspect faulty wiring, it’s best to have a professional inspect and repair it. If none of these troubleshooting steps help and your furnace is still not working, move on to the next step.
Replace the Air Filter
Your air filter can get clogged over time with dirt and debris. This is the one source of airflow into your heater, so if the filter is clogged the airflow is compromised. Your heater may begin to work harder to bring fresh air into the system.
Eventually, the heater’s components overheat in this effort and the system shuts off as a precaution. Replacing the air filter regularly is a great way to prevent this from happening. If your furnace still isn’t working, it may be time to give us a call. But there are a couple more things you can check. For more troubleshooting tips, learn about low airflow furnace trouble.
Another issue related to airflow is a dirty blower wheel. If debris accumulates on the blower, it can slow down or even stop spinning, preventing the furnace from distributing warm air effectively. Cleaning or replacing the blower wheel during routine maintenance can help avoid this problem.
Furnace Access Panel
Depending on the type of furnace you have, it may come with a safety control called an access panel. If the access panel’s connection to your furnace is loose or gets compromised, the furnace won’t work as it should.
A faulty ignition system could also be the reason your furnace has stopped heating. In gas furnaces, components like the ignitor or pilot light are critical for starting the heating process. If these components fail, your furnace won’t be able to generate heat, requiring prompt attention from a technician. If this happens, give our team a call. You definitely want a professional to handle any connections within the heating system.
Air Vents
You don’t want to intake vent where your air filter is to be blocked. The same goes for air vents where the heated air blows out into your home. If air vents are blocked by furniture or other items, the heated air can back up in the system and cause it to shut down. You want to make sure that every vent is completely clear so that your furnace can function properly.
Additionally, a malfunctioning limit switch could be the culprit. This safety feature shuts the furnace off if it overheats, often due to restricted airflow or component failure. If the limit switch is faulty, it may mistakenly signal the furnace to stop heating even when the system is functioning correctly.
If you’ve tried all of these things and your furnace still isn’t heating, we can help. There may be an issue inside the system you can’t see. It’s possible that a component is loose or something needs to be lubricated to it can move with ease. Don’t let lingering heater repairs turn into bigger problems.
Your Comfort Is OUR Business. Schedule an appointment today to get your furnace heating again.
