Molly Ayala
If your electric furnace won't turn on, don't panic. There are several reasons this could be happening, and many of them are simple fixes. First, check if the unit is turned on and that the breaker hasn't tripped. Power outages or surges can cause your furnace to turn off, so make sure the circuit breaker is on. If that doesn't work, check your furnace's owner manual to locate the fuses and circuit boxes. Fuses burn out over time, so look for any that are blown and replace them. If your furnace still won't turn on, the problem could be more complex, such as a faulty thermostat, clogged filter, dirty air ducts, or a faulty relay. At this point, it's best to call an HVAC technician for help.
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What You'll Learn
A tripped circuit breaker
If your furnace is continually tripping the circuit breaker, it is important to identify the root cause. Firstly, check if any other appliances are plugged into the same circuit as your furnace. If so, try unplugging them and see if the breaker still trips. If not, then the overload is likely caused by the furnace.
If the breaker trips even when the furnace is the only appliance running on the circuit, there could be an electrical short circuit or ground fault inside the furnace. Short circuits occur when a bare hot wire comes into contact with a neutral wire, while ground faults happen when a bare hot wire touches a ground wire or another grounded part of the furnace. Both of these issues can cause an increase in electrical current, leading to a tripped breaker.
In some cases, the problem may lie with the circuit breaker or electrical panel itself. The breaker may be faulty, or there may be loose electrical connections. To fix this, you may need to tighten the electrical connections or replace the breaker or the entire panel.
If you are unsure about the cause of the tripped circuit breaker, it is recommended to call a licensed electrician or HVAC technician to inspect your furnace and electrical panel. They will be able to identify and address any issues to ensure the safe and proper functioning of your furnace.
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Blown fuse
If your electric furnace won't turn on, a blown fuse could be the culprit. Fuses are circuit components that protect your furnace from electrical damage. In the event of an overload, the fuse will blow to prevent damage to the unit.
You can examine your furnace for blown fuses by consulting the owner's manual, which will show you where the circuit boxes are located. Fuses are typically located in separate circuit boxes, and their location varies by brand and model. Once you've located the fuse box, you should be able to tell if a fuse is blown by looking inside. Fuses are usually small, plastic, and coloured.
If the fuse is blown, it will need to be replaced. Bring the old fuse to a hardware store to find an identical replacement. Then, switch off the power to your furnace, open the furnace access door, remove the old fuse, and firmly press the new fuse into place.
If the new fuse blows soon after replacement, there may be more complex electrical problems with your furnace, and you should call a professional to inspect it.
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Faulty thermostat
A faulty thermostat is one of the most common issues with an electric furnace. The thermostat is the central control of your HVAC system, and if it malfunctions, it can prevent the furnace from turning on.
There are several signs that indicate a faulty thermostat. Firstly, if your thermostat is not responding to any commands or adjustments, it may have damaged wiring or a broken internal component. Secondly, short cycling, where the HVAC system turns off before completing a full cycle of heating or cooling, can be caused by a faulty thermostat sensor, an issue with wiring, or a malfunction within the HVAC system. Thirdly, inaccurate temperature readings are a sign of a faulty thermostat, often caused by old age, a failing sensor, or the need for calibration. If your room temperature does not match the temperature displayed on the thermostat, this may indicate a faulty thermostat. Finally, if your thermostat display is dark or blank, even with fresh batteries, it may be broken.
To troubleshoot a faulty thermostat, you can perform some basic DIY steps. Check for any wiring issues by looking for loose or corroded wires, clean the thermostat, and replace the batteries. If these steps do not work, contact an HVAC professional for further diagnosis and repair or replacement of the thermostat.
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Dirty flame sensor
A dirty flame sensor can cause major heating issues in your furnace. The flame sensor is a short, thin metallic rod that creates a small current of electricity to confirm the presence of a flame burning within the furnace. As the gas valve opens to kickstart the combustion process, the current moves from the sensor to detect the heat from a flame.
If the flame sensor is dirty or malfunctioning, it might not sense the flame even if it's present. As a result, the furnace will shut down immediately after kicking on. A dirty flame sensor can be caused by a buildup of carbon, dirt, dust, and grime. The exterior portion of the sensor is porcelain, which could crack over time. With a cracked casing, the flame sensor can’t accurately access the heat from the furnace’s flames, so it might think a flame is present when it’s not.
To fix a dirty flame sensor, you can try cleaning it. Cleaning your flame sensor only takes a few minutes, and it may extend the service life of your heating system. Make it a regular practice to inspect it each season to make sure it’s free from soot, dirt, and residue. If your system still fails to function correctly, it may be time to replace the sensor or call in a technician to service the furnace.
If you have a gas furnace, you can open up or glance through the peephole of your gas furnace to see the colour of the flames firing up in the burner. If they’re yellow, that means that the gas isn’t fully burning away and carbon monoxide isn’t being vented out of the system effectively. In this case, you should call a certified technician to mitigate the issue with a furnace flame sensor inspection or gas burner cleaning.
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Control board issues
The control board is the central switching station for the furnace, activating various components in a specific order and telling them when to turn on and off. Without a functioning control board, your furnace won't be able to deliver heat effectively or safely.
Corrosion is another common cause of control board malfunction. Over time, moisture in the air can cause metal components within the furnace to corrode. Loose wiring within the furnace system can also contribute to control board malfunction.
If you suspect control board issues, you can try resetting the control board, which can clear minor glitches. Check your furnace for a reset button and press it. If this doesn't work, you may need to call a professional technician who specialises in HVAC systems. They will have the expertise and equipment to diagnose and address complex control board-related malfunctions.
Before attempting to replace the control board, it's crucial to turn off the power to the furnace to ensure safety and prevent electrical accidents. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for proper placement of the new control board, as each furnace model may have specific requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
There could be several reasons why your electric furnace won't turn on. Firstly, check if your furnace is turned on and that the breaker hasn't tripped. If this doesn't work, check your circuit breaker and ensure all switches are on. If the problem persists, contact an HVAC technician.
Check your furnace for a reset button and press it. If it comes on, the problem is solved. If not, check your circuit breaker to see if it is tripped and turn it back on.
A faulty thermostat could be the cause. If your furnace is running but not producing enough heat, this could be due to a clogged filter or dirty air ducts. Alternatively, the blower fan motor may have burnt out, or the blower fan assembly could be misaligned.
A noisy furnace could be due to a loose access panel or a faulty belt. If the belt is loose or worn out, your furnace will produce strange noises.
