What happens if your furnace suddenly stops working in the middle of a freezing cold night? Before you reach for the phone and call heating professionals, you may want to find out whether the problem is something small that you can fix on your own.

Many furnace problems can be traced back to simple issues, such as a flipped switch or dead thermostat batteries — and as a homeowner, you don’t want to spend money on an emergency service call only to find that the fix was simple. Below, this heating repair company in Warrenville, Illinois is going to explore some of the most common furnace problems and what you should check before calling the professionals. 

The problem might be your thermostat.

Believe it or not, one of the most common reasons furnaces stop working is because the thermostat settings were accidentally changed. So, the first thing you’ll want to do is check if the thermostat is set to “heat.” You should also check the thermostat batteries. If your thermostat runs on batteries, old or dead ones could be the problem. Replace them with new batteries just to be sure.

If the thermostat still does not work, you may want to try overriding the program settings and manually adjusting the temperature. Sometimes, the programmed settings can cause glitches, and a manual adjustment can fix the issue.

A quick look at your thermostat could save you the hassle of a service call. But if your thermostat is not the problem, your heating repair company in Warrenville, Illinois will recommend moving on to other troubleshooting steps.

Replace your furnace filter to see if that solves the problem.

How long has it been since you replaced your furnace filter? If it has been a while, a dirty filter could be the reason your furnace is not working.

Furnace filters trap dust and dirt to keep the indoor air clean. But over time, they can get clogged, which makes it harder for air to pass through. When this happens, your furnace must work harder to pull in air. In some cases, this extra workload can cause the system to overheat and shut down completely.

A clogged filter can also make your furnace noisy. If you hear a whistling or high-pitched sound coming from your furnace, it can be a sign that the filter is too dirty.

Ideally, you should replace furnace filters every 90 days to keep your system running smoothly. But if you are not sure how long it has been, replace your old filter with a new one anyway and see if that gets your furnace running again.

Make sure your furnace has power, and the switches are on.

If your furnace is still not working, check if it is getting power. Switch your thermostat from “auto” to “on,” and if the fan starts running, that means your furnace is getting power, and the problem might be somewhere else. But if nothing happens, the problem could be with the power supply.

Next, check the furnace switch. This is a small power switch near the furnace that looks like a regular light switch. It can get flipped off by accident, so make sure it is switched on. If the switch is on and your furnace still will not work, check your breaker box for any tripped circuits and reset them if needed.

If none of these steps work, it might be time to call a professional heating repair company in Warrenville, Illinois.

Check the pilot light and vents for blockages.

If you have an older gas furnace, its pilot light could be the problem. The pilot light is a small flame inside your furnace that ignites the gas to produce heat. Take a look inside your furnace to see if the pilot light is lit — if not, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to relight it.

Be careful when doing this, and if the pilot light still does not stay lit, it could mean there is a problem with the gas ignitor. In this case, you must call a professional.

You should also check your furnace’s vents. The intake and exhaust vents can sometimes get blocked by leaves, dirt, or even snow. When these vents are clogged, it can prevent your furnace from working properly. Clearing these vents might restore your furnace’s performance and efficiency without a repair call.

Looking for a Heating Repair Company in Warrenville, Illinois?

Do you want to learn more about keeping your furnace running smoothly? If so, and if you are looking to consult with the top-rated heating repair company in Warrenville, Illinois, Hearthstone Heating & Air Conditioning is the top choice. Contact us at (630) 435-9800 to get in touch with our team.