Your furnace is one of the most complex (and expensive) appliances in your home. So when it stops working there is no time to lose. Oftentimes, the solution is simple. To save you from having to make a service call, here are a couple of troubleshooting tips that’ll help you narrow down the problem and navigate what to do next!
To troubleshoot a furnace, start with the obvious. Is your thermostat set to "heat"? If yes, check that your temperature setting is high enough to activate the furnace. Remember: be patient. Your furnace has to heat up first before the blower comes on.
If the switch is on, but your furnace is still not working, check to see if you have a tripped breaker. Your breaker box is (hopefully) labeled “Furnace” or “HVAC” next to the correct breaker. If not, look for a tripped breaker and reset it, if you can.
Modern furnaces come with safety switches on their front panels that don’t allow the furnace to engage if it’s not properly closed. Check to see if your panel door is secure.
Dirty and clogged furnace filters are a common problem. Air filters trap dust, hair, and other particles. If not changed regularly, they can restrict air flowing through your furnace system.
If all else fails and you can't figure out what is wrong with the furnace, it might be time to call the professionals. Sometimes troubleshooting furnace results in figuring that the problem is more involved than changing a filter or closing a panel.