What happens when you wake up on a chilly morning, turn on the furnace, and nothing happens? Usually the family starts complaining about being cold and you need to find a solution quickly. When the furnace won’t ignite, it could be due to several problems.
Furnace Ignition
- Easiest problem – pilot light is set too low – fix yourself
- Another possibility – electric pilot is faulty – call a professional
- Worst case scenario – loose or faulty thermocouple – call a professional
Faulty Electric Pilot
If you are in the basement checking out the heating unit and wondering why the furnace won’t ignite, a faulty pilot is often the problem. Depending on the age of the unit, it may have just worn out. It can be dangerous to try to work on the if you do not know what you are doing; call a professional who can assess the situation and give you an estimate and the cost to fix it.
Faulty Thermocouple
Although the thermocouple looks like just a regular nut fastened to your furnace, you will need the correct tools and knowledge to remove or replace it. Anytime you are working with a gas furnace, there is the possibility for an explosion. You and your family will be much safer if you call a professional to look at the furnace an make the needed repairs.
Keeping your family warm and safe during the cold winter months is important. If your furnace won’t ignite, you need to fix the problem quickly. If your furnace is past its prime, you may need to think about replacing the unit completely. With available rebates for energy-efficient furnaces, it may be time to think about upgrading your heat source. Whether you decide to fix the unit or replace the it, your first step is to call a qualified professional to look at the situation and give you advice. Call us today for all of your furnace needs.
