Blue Gas Flames representing AnyWeather Heating & Air's furnace and heating system services

If your furnace is not operating properly: heating too little, too much, or not heating at all, your first impulse may be to call a service technician and get the problem resolved. When it comes to furnace repairs or problems its always a good idea to call a trusted HVAC company in Northern Kentucky and/or licensed heating and furnace contractor in Cincinnati, OH.

However, there are some checks one can do which may surface the root cause of the problem and get your furnace working again properly without having a service tech come to your home or business. Most are accomplished with minimal effort.

The following checklist offers some suggestions you might consider to save yourself a service call and an unexpected repair expense. AnyWeather Heating & Air also offers a fantastic HVAC system maintenance plan that includes an annual furnace maintenance check, cleaning, and tune-up.

No Heat Checklist – 10 Ways To Trouble Shoot Furnace Problems

Diagram illustrating the parts of a typical gas furnace and how the system works.
  1. Check your furnace filter. This is far and away the primary cause of a furnace malfunction. If the filter is dirty, replace it. A dirty filter can impede airflow to the point the furnace will shut off as a safety measure.
  2. Is your electric furnace getting power? Check the breaker box and/or the electric switch usually located nearby your furnace.
  3. If your unit uses gas for fuel, check to see if the gas is turned on? Observe the gas meter outside and make sure the gas cock valve supplying the furnace is in the open position.
  4. If your furnace relies on propane or oil, check to make sure there is adequate fuel in the storage tank.
  5. Make sure your thermostat is set to heat mode.
  6. Is your digital thermostat display blank? If so, are the batteries charged?
  7. Check to see if the thermostat temperature is set above the room temperature and bump it up approximately 3-5 degrees if it is not. The unit may kick on.
  8. Check the furnace access doors to be sure they are properly secured. Some units have a cut-off feature if the access doors are not properly secured.
  9. If your furnace has vent pipes check them to ensure they are clear of debris. If vent pipes (which are usually made from PVC) are clogged or partially clogged they will prevent your furnace from operating.
  10. If you have a gas furnace with a pilot light that remains on, characteristic of older units,  check to see if it is lit. If not, follow the protocols of the manufacturer to re-light the pilot. If you are unable to light the pilot light, or it will not light or stay lit, please call an expert AnyWeather Heating & Air HVAC company service technician.

The above check list is a great place to start if you are having furnace issues. However, if your heating system is between the age of 10 to 15 years old, then it may be time to consider furnace replacement options over any needed costly repairs.