No one switches on their furnace expecting it not to work, but it happens with little to no warning. There are a lot of factors leading to furnace malfunction, from a faulty blower to a defective pilot light switch, so be sure to give us a call right away!
Is there anything worse than switching on your furnace only to find it not working? What can cause a furnace to stop working? Whenever this happens, your priority is usually to get your furnace up and running as soon as possible, but troubleshooting furnace shutdowns means fully understanding furnace operation failures.
If you’re wondering about your unit’s unreliability, read on to learn the common causes of unexpected furnace outages and when to schedule professional furnace repair in Sudbury.
Common Reasons for Furnace Shutdown
While modern furnaces are more reliable than ever, this doesn’t make them immune to malfunctions. Breakdowns are still a real possibility. So, here are some of the reasons why your furnace might have stopped working:
Issues With the Thermostat
Sometimes, the culprit might not be the furnace itself but the thermostat. After all, modern thermostats can be quite complicated to operate.
For instance, your thermostat might not be set to heat. Other times, the temperature the thermostat is set to might be higher than your home’s indoor temperature. Fortunately, new electronic thermostats show you an error code, which tells you what the problem is.
Gas Line Blockages or Line Issues
If you have a gas furnace, issues with the gas line could cause it to stop working.
Check to see if your gas is turned on. Is the gas supply to your furnace open and clear?
Defective Pilot Light Ignition Switch
The pilot light ignition switch is what provides the spark that switches your furnace on.
Is the ignition switch damaged, either due to wear and tear or old age? Your furnace will be unable to produce any heat.
Damaged Components and Fixtures
As simple as your furnace might seem, it has multiple components and fixtures that professionals need to check and maintain. These fixtures all have to function optimally for your furnace to operate as it should. If this isn’t the case, you might be dealing with:
- Clogged air filters
- A faulty blower motor
- Pressure limit switch failure
Diagnosing Issues in a Stopped Furnace
Now that you know what can cause a furnace to stop working, the next step is identifying the real issue behind the shutdown. This is a task best left to trained professionals, although some issues might be simple enough for you to identify on your own and troubleshoot.
Is a faulty thermostat causing your furnace to malfunction? Resolve it by trying the following:
- Set the thermostat to “Heat.”
- Check the temperature setting.
- Switch old batteries for new ones.
- Sync the thermostat again.
Are you trying to get to the bottom of your furnace’s breakdown? Here are a few steps the professionals will take in this endeavor:
Check the Pilot Light Switch
To determine if the issue is due to a faulty pilot light ignition switch, you should:
- Switch off your furnace and let the gas clear
- Turn the furnace back on
- Press the ignition button
If your furnace has a red button next to the ignition, press both simultaneously. Wait until the pilot catches, then release the ignition button. If you are not able to reignite your furnace’s pilot light or you detect the smell of gas, switch off the furnace immediately and contact an expert.
Unclog the Filters
One of the most common causes of an underperforming furnace is clogged filters.
Checking the state of your unit’s filters is easy to do. Start with your owner’s manual.
Identify a Faulty Blower
When diagnosing this issue, start by turning off your furnace.
Set your thermostat to “Fan only.” If the fan does not start, you probably have a faulty blower and will need to reach out to a professional.
Call Pro Comfort Control for All Your Furnace Repair Needs
What can cause a furnace to stop working? While diagnosing the precise issue might be a bit challenging, our team is happy to help. We won’t just diagnose the issue but also repair it then and there, restoring your furnace to its optimal functionality in no time.
Call Pro Comfort Control today at 508-684-5319 for the best furnace repair services in Sudbury, MA. You can also speak to us to get tips for cleaning your furnace flame sensor and more!