After summer ends and the cold sets in, you are probably ready to kick on the furnace for the first time. However, if your furnace won't turn on after summer, what could be wrong? We have taken the time to research on your behalf to pinpoint the possible culprits in this article.
If your furnace doesn't turn on after summer, then it could be due to the following:
- Tripped Breaker
- Clogged Furnace Filter
- Faulty Thermostat
- Bad Pilot Light
- Broken Blower Motor
- Clogged Drain Pain
- Bad Gas Supply (if applicable)
- Faulty Electrical Components
- Old Furnace
The list above represents the most common reasons your furnace won't turn on. First, however, it is crucial to understand the function and why it could cause the furnace not to turn on to troubleshoot the issue. In this article, we will take a closer look at each item on this list. In addition, we will discuss what items to check during seasonal furnace maintenance, so read on!
Furnace Won't Turn On After Summer - What Could Be Wrong
A furnace is a device that heats a structure, often to the point of creating indoor air. The air inside then circulates by the use of a fan or blower motor. The furnace will either use natural gas or electricity to create heat, and this heat will then be dispersed into the building.
Since the furnaces' primary function is to create heat for your home, it doesn't have any use during summer. However, when summer comes to an end, you will need to turn on your furnace to ensure the home gets adequate heat.
When the time comes to turn the furnace on, many homeowners are faced with the issue of the furnace not turning on at all.
So what could cause this issue? Below we will take a look at the most common reasons why this is happening!
Tripped Breaker
Before we begin, let's go over a few basic concepts. First, a breaker is a device that controls the flow of electricity to a particular area, often a room or your whole home. Therefore, if you have experienced issues with the furnace not turning on after summer, then it may be worth checking to ensure there is power getting to the furnace.
To do this, you will need to locate your breaker box. The breaker box is typically in the basement or garage of your home. Once you have found it, you will want to check each breaker to ensure it is in the "on" position. If one of the breakers is tripped, then you will need to turn it on for the furnace to function correctly.
If none of the breakers are tripped, you may want to contact a professional electrician in your local area. A professional electrician will inspect the situation and find out why there is a problem with the flow of electricity to your furnace.
Clogged Furnace Filter
The furnace filter is a crucial part of your furnace. This is because it keeps out air that can damage the machine's components and keep in air that will improve the function and efficiency of your furnace.
However, if you do not change your filter regularly, it becomes clogged and does not allow air to flow. This can cause the furnace to overheat and will eventually stop working.
If you have not been changing your filter regularly, the filter is likely clogged, causing the furnace not to turn on after summer. You will need to change the filter and ensure that you are changing it regularly to correct this issue.
Faulty Thermostat
A thermostat is a device that allows you to control the temperature of your home. It does this by reading the room's temperature and then sending a signal to the furnace to turn on or off.
If the thermostat is not working correctly, it will not be able to send the signal to the furnace and cause the furnace not to turn on after summer.
To test if the thermostat is working correctly, you can try turning it up or down. If the furnace does not turn on, it is likely that the thermostat is not working correctly, and you will need to replace it.
Bad Pilot Light
The pilot light is a small flame that is used to ignite the furnace. This flame is located in the furnace and will be turned on when you first turn on the furnace.
If the pilot light is not lit, then the furnace will not turn on after summer. To test if the pilot light is working, you can try to turn on the furnace.
If it does not turn on, you will need to hold down the reset button for a few seconds until it can relight the pilot light. Once this happens, then you can proceed in turning your furnace on. If there isn't any change in the behavior of the furnace when you press the reset button, you may need to call a professional to inspect the furnace.
Broken Blower Motor
The blower motor is responsible for pushing the air through the furnace and into the house. If the blower motor is broken, then it will not be able to push the air through the furnace and will cause the furnace not to turn on after summer.
Clogged Drain Pain
The drain pain is what allows the water to flow out of the furnace. If the drain pan is clogged, it will not allow the water to flow out, which can cause the furnace not to turn on after summer.
To clear the drain pan, you will first need to locate it. The drain pain is typically located near the bottom of the furnace. Once you have found it, you can use a wire hanger or something similar to try and clear the clog.
Bad Gas Supply (if applicable)
If you are using a gas furnace, the gas supply is an integral part of the machine. If the gas supply is not working correctly, it will not allow the furnace to turn on after summer.
Faulty Electrical Components
If the furnace has any electrical components, they can sometimes become faulty and prevent the furnace from turning on after summer.
Water damage can often cause issues with the electrical components in the furnace and can prevent it from turning on. If you have experienced water damage in the past, it is vital to have it looked at.
Old Furnace
The age of the furnace can also be a reason why it is not turning on after summer. If you have an old furnace, then it may be time to replace it. Check to see if your furnace is over 15 years old, as this is usually the time for a replacement. Over time, furnaces become less efficient, which can increase your electrical bill costs.
How Do you Reset a Furnace After Overheating?
If your furnace turns off due to overheating, then you will need to hold down the reset button for a few seconds until it can turn back on.
Another option is to turn off the breaker that is powered to the furnace and turn it back on. If the pilot light went out during this time, then relight it before turning on the furnace.
However, if your furnace still won't turn on after overheating, then you may have a bigger problem on your hands. Call a professional to inspect the furnace.
Why is my Furnace not Responding to the Thermostat?
If your furnace is not responding to the thermostat, it could be due to a connection issue. This can be a loose wire or a wiring issue.
To fix this, you will need to locate the problem. First, locate your thermostat and look for any changes in the display of the screen on it. If you notice no more extended power going through to it, try checking all of your wires and connections with the thermostat and furnace.
If the power goes through to the thermostat, it could be a wiring issue in the furnace itself.
What Maintenance Items to Check During a Seasonal HVAC Startup?
To make sure your furnace is ready for the winter season, you will need to check a few different things.
- One of the most important things that you should check is the air filter. If it is dirty, then replace it with a new one.
- You should also check to make sure that there is no ice or snow build-up on the outside of the furnace. If there is, then you will need to clear it off before using the furnace.
- It is also essential to check the belts and lubricate any moving parts. In addition, be sure to clean the blowers.
- If you have a gas furnace, you will also need to check the gas pressure and the ignition.
- Lastly, it is essential to have your furnace inspected by a professional every year. This will help to catch any potential problems before they become more significant issues.
Final Thoughts
Overall, there is a lot that goes to a properly functioning furnace. It can be hard to pinpoint why your furnace isn't turning on by yourself. Check the basics first, such as making sure your breaker is on, you have a clean furnace filter, and that your thermostat is working as it should. If everything seems fine there, you may need to get in touch with a professional for a diagnosis.
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