My Furnace Stopped Working - What Do I Do Now?
February 25, 2021
There’s never a good time for your furnace to stop working, but losing your heat in the middle of a cold spell is particularly frustrating. You may suddenly realize you haven’t heard your furnace kick on in a while, or you may wake up one morning to a chilly house. But there’s no need to panic when your furnace stops working.
At Lozier Heating & Cooling, we have experience with all types of common furnace problems. We can help you know what to look for when you find your furnace has stopped working — and how to fix it.
Why Your Furnace Stopped Working: Diagnostic FAQ
Furnaces are complex pieces of equipment with many pieces, pipes, wires and mechanical parts. If your furnace stopped working, it could be because one of the many pieces broke or failed. We’ll give you some furnace help and walk you through ways of diagnosing common reasons furnaces stop working.
Why is my furnace running but not producing heat?
If your furnace isn't producing heat, the first place to look is your thermostat. If your thermostat is set too low and the fan is set to "on," your vents might blow cold air. Using the “auto” fan setting should get warm air moving.
If adjusting your thermostat settings doesn’t fix this issue, there could be another reason your furnace stopped heating. Check your furnace filter next. A dirty furnace filter can restrict airflow and prevent air from heating up.
If you’re still having issues with your furnace blowing cold air, you might have leaky ducts or an issue with other furnace components.
What if my furnace blower stopped working?
In some cases, your furnace may be fine, but you might have a problem with your blower motor. If your furnace ignites but the fan doesn't start moving warm air through your ducts, you might need an HVAC technician to repair or replace your blower motor.
If your blower motor or furnace fan stopped working, you might smell a burning smell, like burning rubber or plastic. Another sign of a failing blower motor is a loud humming sound — this often indicates a motor with a bad capacitor. The blower motor is one of the largest parts of your furnace and is difficult to locate and repair. If your blower motor or furnace fan stopped working, we recommend having a professional HVAC technician come out and take a look.
How do I troubleshoot my furnace?
Before you call in a professional, there are a few simple furnace troubleshooting tasks you can try yourself. First, check your thermostat settings. You'd be surprised how often adjusting your thermostat can solve your problem. Second, check your furnace filter and change it if needed.
Lastly, you could always try pressing the reset button. If your furnace stopped working suddenly, it could be because something triggered it to shut off. Solving the problem could be as simple as pressing the reset button, a task as easy as flipping a switch on your circuit breaker.
Where is the reset button on my furnace?
The location of the reset button depends on the make and model of your furnace. Typically, the reset button is located inside the blower compartment, where the blower motor is housed. Look for a red or yellow button and have caution — it may be hot.
If something tripped the reset button, it will be sticking out and you can simply press it back in and turn on the furnace. It’s not uncommon to occasionally reset your furnace, but if you need to repeatedly press the reset button, you should bring in an HVAC professional to check on your furnace.
Who do you call for furnace problems?
A local heating and cooling company will be able to help you diagnose your issues if your furnace stopped working. Call a trusted HVAC company and describe your furnace problems. Set up an appointment with a technician who can take a look at your furnace.
When you contact Lozier Heating & Cooling, we set up an appointment right away. You can even send us a text message and let us know when you’re available, and we’ll set an appointment based on your schedule.
Call an HVAC Expert to Figure Out Why Your Furnace Stopped Working
At Lozier, we’re the furnace help you need. We’ve seen it all, and we can quickly figure out why your furnace stopped working. If you’ve tried DIY troubleshooting tasks and you’re still stuck, just give us a call. We’ll have an experienced technician come over and help get your furnace back up and running.
What can cause a furnace to stop working?
A number of different issues can cause your furnace to stop working properly, including a dirty air filter, leaky ducts, dead thermostat batteries and a variety of other problems. Some issues are easy for homeowners to address themselves, but others require help from a professional.
Other reasons your furnace can stop working include:
- Broken furnace blower
- Failing furnace condensate pump
- Faulty furnace flame sensor
- Dusty furnace burners
- Furnace pressure switch issues
- Gas line issues
- And more
What’s wrong with my furnace?
It could be your air filter, your thermostat or something more serious. If your furnace stopped working and you don't know how to fix it, contact an HVAC expert to investigate further. You can try some basic troubleshooting tasks, but then you should work with a professional.
If Your Furnace Stops Working, Call Lozier
If your furnace blower stopped working or your vents are blowing cold air, make an appointment with Lozier Heating & Cooling. We’ll diagnose your problem and give you the furnace help you need — whether it’s replacing a part, adjusting a setting or giving you a quote for a brand new furnace.
We’ve been keeping homes in the Greater Des Moines area comfortable since 1906. Schedule a service appointment online, send us a text message at 515-393-4262 or give us a call.