4 Reasons Why Your Furnace Won’t Ignite

In the depths of winter, the last thing you want is for your furnace to stop working. If your furnace won’t ignite, it could be due to a number of reasons. Today, we’re going to look at 4 of the most common reasons why your furnace might not be firing up.

• Dirty Furnace Filters: One of the most common reasons a furnace won’t ignite is that the filters are dirty. Over time, dust and other particles can build up on the filters, making it difficult for air to flow freely through the furnace. As a result, the furnace has to work harder to circulate air, which can cause it to overheat and shut down. To prevent this from happening, be sure to regularly check and clean your furnace filters.
• Thermostat Problems: Another common reason for a furnace not igniting is a problem with the thermostat. If the thermostat is not set correctly, it can cause the furnace to shut down prematurely. Additionally, if the thermostat is not calibrated properly, it may not accurately register when the room temperature has reached the desired level, causing the furnace to run longer than necessary and wasting energy in the process. To avoid these problems, be sure to regularly check and calibrate your thermostat.
• Pilot Light Issues: If your furnace uses a pilot light to ignite the gas burner, then a problem with the pilot light can also prevent your furnace from starting up. A pilot light can go out for a number of reasons, including a drafty room or a dirty burner. If you suspect that your pilot light has gone out, call a professional for assistance.
• Gas Supply Issues: Finally, if your furnace uses natural gas as its fuel source, then a problem with the gas supply can also prevent it from igniting. A gas leak is one possibility; however, even if there’s no leak, an interruption in gas service can also cause problems with your furnace. If you think there may be an issue with your gas supply, call your utility company immediately.

Conclusion

If your furnace won’t ignite, it could be due to any number of reasons—dirty filters, incorrect thermostat settings, pilot light issues, or problems with the gas supply being just some of them. By troubleshooting these potential issues one by one, you should be able to identify and fix the problem so that you can get your furnace up and running again in no time!

Also, if you’ve tried everything and you need an experienced technician to come out to troubleshoot your issue, give us a call at (403) 463-7700.

-Ivan G.
Air Force Heating