Why Your Furnace Won’t Turn On: A Guide for Beverly Hills Property Owners

If you’ve been asking yourself, “Why isn’t my furnace turning on?” you’re not alone. As the trusted provider of quality HVAC services in Beverly Hills, FL, our crew at Fast Air Heating & Cooling will help you find out. 

We have extensive experience in furnace troubleshooting and repairs for our local customers. If you aren’t sure where to begin with your own troubleshooting, read our instructions to identify potential problems. 

Why Isn’t My Furnace Turning On?

Understanding a little about how furnaces work will help you determine why your furnace isn’t turning on. Furnaces use fuel or electricity to produce heat. Most heating equipment circulates heat via a blower motor with a fan attachment. The motor forces heated air into the ductwork, where air disperses into different areas.

When the furnace doesn’t turn on, it’s typically the power supply, thermostat communication, or an airflow obstacle. 

Check the Power Switch

Furnaces have power switches that dictate whether they operate or shut down. You can find the power switch on yours on a nearby wall or the appliance itself. These switches typically stay in place, but a random flip can still happen. Check your furnace to see whether the switch is in the correct position. 

The Thermostat Malfunctioned or Has the Wrong Setting

A furnace thermostat malfunction can stop heating cycles before they even begin:

1. The thermostat has little to no battery power and needs a replacement.
2. You input the wrong setting, keeping the thermostat from sending signals. 
3. The temperature sensors are insulated from dust. 
4. The thermostat placement causes a higher temperature reading than the rest of the building. 
5. You need a new thermostat because your current device is old.

You can fix the first two issues, but an HVAC technician should look into the last three. 

A Circuit Breaker Tripped

“I checked the switch and thermostat. So, why isn’t my furnace turning on?” Check your breaker box for a tripped breaker. 

Your circuit breaker box controls the electrical supply and distributes power to each electrical zone. Sometimes, an appliance or area demands more power than the breaker can safely supply. 

The breaker trips to cut the supply to that area as a safety mechanism. Find your breaker box in your basement, a storage area, or a central part of your home in Beverly Hills, Florida. Open it to see if the furnace circuit breaker has tripped. 

You can flip the breaker switch back into place, which should return electricity to the furnace. If this issue recurs, consult a local electrician about possible circuit overload. 

You Need More Fuel

Sometimes, the issue is as simple as a low fuel level. Can you remember the last time you requested a top-off? If not, check the supply gauge to see if you’ve fallen in the red. 

If you have sufficient fuel in your supply, you might have a partially closed gas valve instead. When the valve isn’t fully opened, the fuel doesn’t flow as freely, causing insufficient fuel in the combustion chamber. 

Look for Airflow Restrictions

Airflow hindrances might occur where you can see and address them or inside the furnace system. Check whether the furnace air filter is clogged and replace it if it looks discolored and dirty. Then, inspect each vent opening for blockages like furniture, clothing piles, or storage boxes. 

The furnace might have internal restrictions, such as:

• Obstacles or debris inside the ductwork
• Dust coating the blower motor or fan blades
• Filthy condenser or evaporator coils

Contact your HVAC company about a quick maintenance visit from a skilled technician. 

When Do I Need an HVAC Technician in Beverly Hills, Florida?

You need help from an HVAC technician when you can’t easily solve the issue by yourself. For example, many of the above-listed concerns occur where you can easily access the problematic equipment. Others are wedged inside the furnace’s interior and require disassembly.

A skilled technician can easily solve furnace ignition problems by addressing the pilot light. Pilot lights frequently get dirty and sometimes need replacement. While HVAC technicians have no trouble fixing furnace pilot light issues, an unskilled homeowner might cause additional damage by accident.