Furnace Not Turning On

No heat at all is one of the more urgent HVAC problems — here's what's usually behind it.

Thermostat settings or dead batteries

Worth checking first — a thermostat with dead batteries or set incorrectly can look exactly like a furnace failure.

Tripped breaker or blown fuse

Furnaces run on electrical power even for gas systems (to run the blower and ignition) — a tripped breaker will stop it cold.

Pilot light or ignitor failure

Older systems with a pilot light that's gone out, or newer systems with a failed electronic ignitor, won't fire even though everything else looks normal.

Clogged filter triggering a safety shutoff

Many furnaces have a safety switch that shuts the system down if airflow is too restricted — a severely clogged filter can trigger this.

Gas supply issue

If the gas valve is closed or there's a supply issue, the furnace won't ignite even if everything else is functioning.

If you smell gas

Leave the house immediately, don't operate any switches or the thermostat, and call your gas utility from outside. Contact us after the gas company has confirmed it's safe.

Frequently asked questions

Is a furnace not turning on an emergency?

If it's cold and you have no heat, it's urgent — but not typically dangerous on its own. If you smell gas, that's different: leave the house and call your gas utility immediately, then us.

What should I check before calling?

Thermostat batteries and settings, and whether the breaker for your furnace has tripped. If both check out, it's time for a professional diagnosis.

See our full Furnace Repair service or browse other common symptoms.