Furnace Won’t Start This Fall? What Michigan Homeowners Should Check First
Furnace Won’t Start This Fall? What Michigan Homeowners Should Check First
The first cool nights of fall are when many Michigan homeowners discover a problem they haven’t thought about all summer: the furnace won’t start.
You turn the thermostat to Heat, raise the temperature, and wait—but nothing happens.
Sometimes the cause is surprisingly simple, such as a thermostat setting, power switch, tripped breaker, or dirty filter. Other times, a furnace that is not turning on can have an ignition, pressure-switch, flame-sensor, electrical, or safety-control problem that should be diagnosed by an HVAC technician.
If your furnace isn’t working in Holly, MI or the surrounding area, here are a few safe things you can check before calling Adkisson Air1 for furnace repair.
Quick Checklist Before You Call for Furnace Repair
Before assuming something major has failed, check these five items:
- Make sure the thermostat is set to Heat.
- Set the temperature several degrees above the current room temperature.
- Replace the thermostat batteries if applicable.
- Check the furnace breaker and furnace power switch.
- Look at the air filter and replace it if it is extremely dirty.
If those items look normal and the furnace still won’t start—or it repeatedly starts and shuts down—it’s time for a professional diagnosis.
Check Your Thermostat First
The thermostat is the simplest place to begin when a furnace isn’t turning on.
Confirm that the system is set to Heat, not Cool, Off, or Fan Only.
Then raise the temperature several degrees above the current room temperature. Give the system a moment to respond and listen for the furnace to begin its startup sequence.
If your thermostat uses batteries, replacing weak batteries may also solve an apparent heating problem.
What If the Thermostat Is Completely Unresponsive?
A blank or unresponsive thermostat can indicate dead batteries, loss of power, a wiring problem, or another electrical issue.
If fresh batteries don’t solve the problem and you’re not comfortable working with electrical controls, stop there and have the system inspected.
Homeowners should not remove wiring or begin testing electrical components themselves unless they are qualified to do so.
Check the Furnace Breaker and Power Switch
A furnace needs electrical power even when it burns natural gas.
Check your home’s electrical panel for the breaker that controls the furnace. If the breaker has tripped, resetting it once may restore operation.
If it trips again, don’t continue resetting it. A repeated breaker trip can indicate an electrical or equipment problem that should be diagnosed by an HVAC technician.
You should also look for the furnace’s local power switch.
It often looks like a regular wall light switch and may be located near the furnace or in another nearby location. Because it looks ordinary, it can accidentally get switched off.
Make sure it is in the On position.
Check Your Air Filter
A severely clogged furnace filter can restrict airflow enough to contribute to overheating and safety shutdowns on some systems.
If the filter is visibly packed with dust and debris, replace it with the appropriate filter for your system.
Filter-change frequency varies depending on filter type, household conditions, pets, system usage, and indoor-air-quality needs. Rather than relying on one schedule for every home, inspect the filter regularly and replace it when it becomes dirty.
A clean filter is important, but remember: changing the filter will not fix every furnace that won’t start. If the system remains off after the basic checks, the cause is probably elsewhere.
Check for a Blinking Light on the Furnace
Many modern furnaces have a small diagnostic LED that can be viewed through a window in the furnace cabinet.
When the furnace detects a problem, that light may blink in a pattern.
Those flashes can help an HVAC technician narrow down the fault.
Depending on the furnace, a diagnostic code may relate to issues such as:
- ignition problems
- pressure-switch problems
- flame-sensing problems
- limit or safety-switch conditions
- electrical faults
However, the codes are not universal. The meaning of a particular blinking pattern varies by manufacturer and model.
Don’t assume that three flashes on one furnace mean the same thing on another.
Instead, note:
- the color of the light
- how many times it flashes
- whether there is a pause between groups of flashes
- whether the furnace tries to start before the light appears
Then give that information to the technician when you call.
What If the Furnace Starts and Then Shuts Off?
Sometimes the furnace is not completely dead.
You may hear the system begin its startup sequence, only for it to shut down again before producing steady heat.
This can point to a number of possible problems, including ignition controls, flame sensing, airflow restrictions, pressure-switch conditions, or another safety control.
Repeatedly cycling power to the furnace is not a solution.
If it continues trying to start and shutting itself down, have the system diagnosed.
When It’s Time to Call a Professional
Stop troubleshooting and call for furnace repair when:
- the thermostat is calling for heat but the furnace doesn’t respond
- the furnace starts and repeatedly shuts off
- a diagnostic light continues flashing
- the breaker repeatedly trips
- you hear unusual noises during startup
- the furnace runs but produces little or no heat
- you are uncomfortable performing any of the basic checks
There is also one situation where you should not remain inside troubleshooting the furnace.
If You Smell Gas
If you smell natural gas or suspect a leak, leave the home immediately. Do not try to locate the source, operate electrical switches, or use a phone inside the home. Once you are safely outside, call 911 and follow Consumers Energy’s natural gas safety guidance.
A Real Adkisson Air1 No-Heat Repair in Fenton, MI
A homeowner in Fenton, MI called Adkisson Air1 after discovering that his furnace was no longer producing heat.
The home has an older Armstrong heating system, with the furnace originally installed approximately 27 years ago. Rather than assuming the system automatically needed replacement because of its age, the Adkisson Air1 technician diagnosed the no-heat problem and completed the necessary repair to get the furnace operating again.
This is a good example of why a furnace that won’t start should be properly diagnosed before deciding whether repair or replacement makes sense. Even an older system may still have a repairable problem.
If your furnace won’t turn on or your home suddenly has no heat, Adkisson Air1 provides furnace repair in Fenton and surrounding communities.
What to Expect When You Call Adkisson Air1
When a furnace won’t start, the first step is identifying why.
An Adkisson Air1 technician will evaluate the heating system, identify the cause of the problem, and explain the recommended repair.
Sometimes the furnace only needs a repair.
Other times, particularly with an older furnace experiencing repeated or expensive problems, it may make sense to discuss replacement.
The goal is to understand the condition of the system before deciding what comes next.
Need furnace service now?
Link this text to your Furnace Repair page.
If the furnace is older or experiencing repeated problems, you can also read:
7 Signs It May Be Time for a New Furnace
and link to the Furnace Installation page.
Furnace Repair in Holly and Nearby Michigan Communities
Adkisson Air1 provides furnace repair and heating service from its Holly location for homeowners throughout surrounding communities, including Fenton, Grand Blanc, Clarkston and nearby areas of Genesee and Oakland counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Won’t My Furnace Turn On Even Though the Thermostat Is Set to Heat?
Possible causes include loss of power, thermostat problems, ignition failure, safety-control issues, a tripped breaker, or another furnace fault. Check the thermostat, breaker, furnace power switch and filter first. If the furnace still doesn’t respond, have the system professionally diagnosed.
Why Does My Furnace Keep Tripping the Breaker?
A furnace breaker that trips repeatedly can indicate an electrical problem or equipment fault. Resetting it once is reasonable, but if it trips again, don’t repeatedly reset it. Have an HVAC technician determine why the circuit is opening.
What Does a Blinking Light on My Furnace Mean?
Many furnaces use a blinking LED to communicate diagnostic fault codes. The number, color and pattern of flashes can help identify the problem, but codes vary by brand and model. Write down the flashing pattern and provide it to your HVAC technician.
Is It Safe to Try to Fix My Furnace Myself?
Homeowners can safely check basic items such as thermostat settings, batteries, the furnace power switch and the filter. Repairs involving gas, ignition systems, electrical components, internal controls or safety switches should generally be handled by a qualified HVAC technician.
How Much Does Furnace Repair Cost?
Furnace repair cost depends on the cause of the problem, the parts required and the condition of the system. A proper diagnosis is the best way to determine the needed repair and cost.
Furnace Won’t Start? Adkisson Air1 Can Help
If you’ve checked the thermostat, breaker, furnace switch and filter and your furnace still isn’t turning on, it’s time to have the system professionally diagnosed.
Adkisson Air1 provides furnace repair for homeowners in Holly, Fenton, Grand Blanc, Clarkston and surrounding Michigan communities.
