In order for your furnace to heat your home, it needs a heat source. Many furnaces are powered by gas or oil, which utilize a burner to produce heat. If your unit is not producing warm air, you may go check on the unit and may discover the flame is out, at which point you may attempt to reignite it. This is typically a fast and easy process unless there is a bigger issue going on. Here are a few of the reasons why your furnace may not be igniting. 

Your Thermostat is Not Set Correctly

Your thermostat works in tandem with your furnace. You set the thermostat to your homes' desired setting, and once the home dips below that temperature, the thermostat tells the furnace to ignite the heat and start warming up air to blow in your home. Unfortunately, it is easy to mis-program thermostats, or someone may have turned the temperature down without you realizing it. If your furnace is not igniting and producing warm air, the first thing you should do is ensure your thermostat is set to your desired temperature settings and is working properly. 

The Furnace is Powered Off 

Another common reason why your furnace may not be igniting is because the furnace is powered off. You may have cleaned your furnace or replaced the air filters and shut it off, and then forgot to turn it back on. Or, the breaker that the furnace is connected to may have tripped. Finally, many newer furnaces may automatically power off if they begin to overheat or if there is a problem with the unit. Check your unit and ensure it is actually powered on and connected to a power source. 

The Pilot Light or Sensor is Faulty

If your furnace's pilot light or pilot light sensor is faulty, your unit may not ignite. Typically, if either of these is the issue, you will hear your unit clicking, much like a gas stove does before it ignites. This is a sign that your unit is trying to ignite and is powered on but that it is unable to actually get the flame going. The pilot light or sensor may need to be replaced to solve this issue, and once replaced, you should hear a clicking noise, followed by the furnace flame actually igniting. 

The Unit Is At the End of Its Lifespan

The final reason why your furnace may not be igniting is because it is at the end of its lifespan. A furnace does not last forever, and if it is at the end of its lifespan, it may just give out and stop working. If this is the case, you may need to replace your furnace. 

If your furnace is not igniting, you may need a repair made to your furnace or HVAC unit, or you may need to replace it altogether. At Action Heating and Air Inc., we can help you with all of your homes' heating and cooling needs. Whether you need maintenance, repairs or installation of a new HVAC, we would love to help. Call us today and let one of our friendly HVAC technicians help you.