First, check your thermostat. Is it set to the “heat” position? Do you have the temperature set 3 degrees or more above room temperature? If you have an electronic thermostat, are the batteries still good? If all these things check out, turn your fan to the “on” position. Go to the actual furnace. Do you hear the fan running? If not, it probably means there is no power to the system.

Most furnaces have an emergency shut off switch. It is very common for homeowners to mistake this for being an actual light switch and shut it off. This shuts power off to the furnace altogether. The door to your furnace also has an emergency shut off switch. If you have taken this off for any reason, such as changing your filter, make sure your door was put back properly.

Next, check your electric panel. Are any breakers tripped? If so, switch it back to the “on” position. If you have fuses, check to see if any are blown. If you find that one is, replace it with a fuse of the SAME SIZE and SAME BRAND! Never increase the size of the fuse. If your system keeps tripping breakers or blowing fuses, contact an HVAC professional (such as Accutemp Heating & Cooling) to inspect your system.

My unit is working but I’m not getting enough heat. Why?

You could have a dirty air filter. There could be an excessive amount of dirt, pet hair or other debris clogging the filter. Issues such as this cause your system to work harder. If this goes on for very long, it’s likely that you’ll have more problems with your furnace. In the event that you have a clean air filter, it’s likely that you have a problem regarding your duct work. Your duct work could be improperly sealed, contain a blockage or may have a crack or tear. If your duct work is the problem, you will need to contact a professional.