Common Gas Furnace Problems, Causes, and Quick-Fixes

A problem with your furnace can strike a chill into your bones—and not just because the temperature in your home is dropping. Furnace repairs and replacements can be an expensive proposition, causing many homeowners to feel worried at the first sign of trouble. But don’t panic just yet. If your furnace isn’t heating your home like it should, there’s most likely a simple fix. Look through these common causes of furnace problems before calling a technician.

Causes and Quick-Fixes for Furnace Not Heating

While a failure to produce heat is the most frequent problem homeowners have with their furnace, it has a large number of potential causes. Here are some of the most common, along with quick fixes to get your furnace up and running again.

Cause: Thermostat set too low
Fix: Verify that your thermostat is in fact set on the heat mode and is set for an appropriate temperature.

Cause: Thermostat malfunctioning
Fix: Troubleshoot your thermostat. Try adjusting the temperature setting by a few degrees to see if the temperature changes accordingly.

Cause: Tripped circuit or blown fuse
Fix: If the circuit or fuse controlling the furnace is tripped, it won’t work. Reset the circuit or replace the fuse.

Cause: Pilot light is out
Fix: The pilot light is the ignition source for your furnace. Without it, there’s no way for the furnace to ignite. Luckily, relighting it is easy to do. (Note: Electronic ignition furnaces do not have a pilot light.)

Cause: Dirty air filter
Fix: Change your air filter. Furnace filters should be replaced about once a month. A dirty filter impedes the flow of air, so even if your furnace is functioning just fine, you may not feel the benefits. Check out our Guide to Furnace Filter Maintenance to learn more about when and how to change your furnace filter.

If your furnace still isn’t heating properly after you’ve worked through these common causes and quick-fixes, it’s time to call a technician. Print this coupon and present it to your Bonfe technician to receive $35 off any furnace or boiler repair.

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