If you turn your furnace on but it doesn’t seem to heat your home, you may or may not need to contact a professional, depending on the situation. This is because some furnace problems are easy to fix, while others require technical know-how and specialized tools. Ideally, before you address complex causes, you should consider the simple ones. If you are experiencing a furnace blower keeps running but no heat, perform some troubleshooting first. In this article, we discuss some of the steps you should take before calling a professional HVAC technician.

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How To Troubleshoot A Furnace That Is Running But Not Producing Heat

Keep reading to explore some furnace troubleshooting steps to take when your unit isn’t producing adequate heat.

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Check the Furnace Condensate Line

The newer and high-efficiency furnaces generate water as they operate. This moisture is channeled out through the drain line. If your furnace’s drain line is blocked, the water can end up backing in, leading to the tripping of your overflow kill. This, in turn, will switch off your furnace. If there’s a pool of water around your furnace, that’s a good indicator that there is a blockage in the condensate line, and therefore, you should schedule professional furnace cleaning.

Hit the Heating System Reset Button

A lot of furnaces have a reset button which is typically red. Try getting the furnace back up by hitting that reset button. However, if you have to hit the reset button frequently to keep your furnace on, you should get a certified HVAC technician to assess and diagnose the underlying cause of the problem.

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Check Furnace Thermostat Settings

If no heat is coming off the vents even when the furnace’s blower is on, it could be due to wrong thermostat settings. In this case, you should ensure the thermostat isn’t set to cool instead of heat. This sounds simple, but it’s a pretty common mistake. The fan constantly runs when it’s turned on. It can make you believe that it’s the furnace that is running when it’s only the blower that’s on. When it’s only the blower motor that’s running, heat can’t be circulated because there is no heating cycle. So you should do the following:

• Proper Fan Settings: Set the fan to AUTO, which ensures that the blower motor only runs where there is a heating cycle. When the fan is set to ON, it can push out the cold air that’s coming from the blower and consume more energy.
• Crank up the Thermostat: If your furnace doesn’t start to generate heat, set the thermostat some degrees higher than the room temperature. This will get your furnace to kick in by triggering a heating cycle.
• Call a Professional: If the furnace is still not generating hot air after you’ve done all the above, you should call a professional.

Look Out For HVAC Airflow Problems

Airflow issues within the furnace as well as the ductwork can limit the amount of hot heat being released into the living areas. The airflow issues could be due to dirty air filters, which restrict airflow and thus limit the amount of heated air streaming out of the vents. Here is how to deal with airflow issues:

• HVAC Air Filter: Check the air filter and change it if it’s clogged with contaminants. Do this monthly and replace the filter when it is dirty.
•  Louvers: Ensure all the louvers are open by checking all the vents. If the louvers are in a closed position, take out the vent cover and clean it. You may need to hire a qualified HVAC technician to replace the cover in case the louvers are jammed.
• HVAC Vents and Registers: Obstructed or closed vents can make it seem like your furnace isn’t generating enough heat because some of the hot heat can’t reach the living areas. Therefore, ensure all the vents and registers in the house aren’t covered. Vents and registers are often obstructed by large items in the house, like furniture, carpeting, and rugs. If airflow from a given vent is low, you should take a look inside to ensure there are no items that fell in, causing an obstruction. You can remove items from the vent using a long wire or your hand.
• Duct System: You should also inspect the air ducts. If the ducts in your house are leaky, some of the heated air will escape, leading to weaker and cooler airflow through your vents. This can lead to the furnace working overtime and reduced energy efficiency in your home. Consequently, your furnace will have a shorter lifespan. Therefore, you should get a professional to seal all gaps and leaks to ensure your heating system remains efficient.

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Schedule Regular Professional Furnace Maintenance

To avoid airflow problems, schedule regular professional HVAC cleaning and maintenance.

 

Look Out for Fuel and Ignition Issues

If your furnace doesn’t generate heat after you’ve turned it on, the issue may be the ignition system or the fuel supply. Here is how to check for fuel issues:

• Take a look at the gas supply line and ensure the gas valve isn’t closed.
• If your heating fuel is heating oil or liquid propane, ensure your tank has sufficient fuel and schedule a refill if necessary.
• If you use natural gas, contact the utility provider to confirm that their service hasn’t been interrupted.

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Furnace Ignition Malfunction – Troubleshooting Tips

If your furnace’s ignitions system isn’t working, the gas won’t combust to generate heat. Here is how to deal with ignition malfunction issues:

• Check the Pilot Light: If you have an older furnace that uses a pilot light, you should see if the light has been snuffed out. If it has, it will need to be relit. To relight the pilot light, you should get the owner’s manual and follow the directions outlined by the manufacturer.
• Electric Furnace: If your furnace’s ignition system is electronic, it could be failing to generate heat because the igniter switch’s metal strip is dirty. Therefore, assess the condition of this metal strip. If it’s dirty, gently clean it. This component is extremely fragile, so be sure to handle it with a lot of care. Better yet, get a professional to do it.
• Don’t Light Your Furnace Manually: Don’t attempt to manually light your furnace because this isn’t safe. Also, if the furnace’s motor is running, but no heat is coming out, you should take a look at the blower to confirm that the belt isn’t broken or misaligned.

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Final Word

If your furnace isn’t generating heat, this could be due to various issues that require varying solutions. In case you try all these troubleshooting steps, and the problem persists, you should call a professional technician to diagnose the root cause of the problem and fix it before it’s too late to do anything about it.

Call McAllister Energy For Superior HVAC Solutions

McAllister Energy offers high-quality HVAC services in Camden County, New Jersey. We hire only the best, professionally certified technicians who conduct superior heating and cooling services. Some of our HVAC services include HVAC maintenance, heating and cooling installations, repairs, ductless systems, energy audits, and much more. All our techs provide accurate HVAC services on time, every time.

Our company guarantees affordable heating and cooling service rates. Our maintenance services can increase your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. We can also provide you with a highly energy-efficient HVAC replacement system that fits your budget. Your satisfaction is important to us, so all our work comes with a guarantee. Book a service appointment with McAllister Energy today. We provide free, in-home estimates.

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