When colder weather sets in, a furnace that refuses to turn on can quickly become more than just a home comfort issue. In a city like Edmonton, where winters often linger into spring, having a working furnace is about staying safe and maintaining a livable indoor space. Whether it’s early morning or late at night, no one enjoys the stress of a unit that won’t start, especially when the cold creeps in fast.
There are a few common reasons why a furnace may stop working. Often, it’s tied to simple components like the thermostat or power supply. This kind of issue can catch any homeowner off guard. Knowing what to look for can make a big difference in how quickly the problem is resolved. While a complete diagnosis should always be left to our professionals, there are steps any homeowner in Edmonton can take to spot obvious issues before calling for help.
Check the Thermostat First
One of the most overlooked steps when a furnace won’t start is checking the thermostat. This small device controls when your furnace turns on and off and can easily be misadjusted or experience issues of its own.
Start by making sure it’s set to heat mode. It’s more common than you might think. Sometimes it’s left on cool after a mild day or accidentally knocked out of place. Also, check that the temperature is set higher than the current room reading. If it’s not, the furnace has no reason to come on.
If your thermostat is battery-operated, low or dead batteries could be the culprit. Replacing the batteries can often restore function immediately. If it’s hardwired, take a quick look at the wiring near and behind the thermostat faceplate to check for any loose or disconnected wires. Avoid pulling or adjusting wires yourself. Just identifying a visible disconnect is enough to mention to our technicians when it’s time to call.
Here’s a simple checklist to walk through before calling for service:
– Confirm the thermostat is set to heat
– Check that the temperature setting is higher than the room temperature
– Replace thermostat batteries if applicable
– Look for error codes or warning lights on digital thermostats
– Listen for clicks or any signs that the thermostat is trying to engage the furnace
Sometimes, an old or faulty thermostat can be part of the issue, especially if you notice that it has delayed responses or turns off and on unpredictably. If these signs appear, it’s time to have our technicians take a look and confirm the actual cause before it leads to more costly damage or longer downtime.
Inspect the Furnace Power Supply
If the thermostat checks out, the next step is to look at the furnace’s power supply. Even gas furnaces require electricity to operate key parts like the blower and control board. A disrupted power supply is a common reason for furnaces staying off.
Begin by checking the furnace power switch. It looks like a standard light switch and is typically located on the side of the furnace or on a nearby wall. The switch should be in the on position. If it’s off, flip it back and give the furnace a minute to respond.
Next, go to your home’s electrical panel and look for a tripped breaker. Furnace breakers are usually labelled. If the breaker is in the middle or off position, reset it by turning it completely off first, then flipping it back on. Keep in mind that if the breaker continues to trip, that’s a red flag. It could point to a wiring issue or a motor overload, and that’s when our professionals should step in.
Older systems may also have electrical fuses installed. If your setup includes fuses, inspect them for any that look burnt out or broken. Fuse replacement isn’t recommended for homeowners without experience. It’s safer and faster to call our technicians, who can determine if a fuse blew due to a deeper issue within the system.
Paying attention to these small but important details can prevent extended outages. For example, one Edmonton homeowner called in thinking their furnace had failed completely, only to find the breaker was tripped due to a power surge the night before. Catching that sooner would have saved them hours in the cold.
Check the Pilot Light or Ignition System
A furnace that won’t start might be having trouble with ignition. The type of system you have makes a difference here. Older units usually rely on a pilot light, while newer models are equipped with electronic ignition systems.
If yours uses a pilot light, take a moment to check if that flame is still burning. You can usually see it through a small opening near the bottom of the unit. If it’s out, that could be what’s preventing the furnace from coming on. Some homeowners are comfortable relighting the pilot using instructions found on the furnace’s sticker or panel, but if there’s any doubt or hesitation, it’s safer to call our professionals. A pilot that won’t stay lit after relighting often indicates a faulty thermocouple or another deeper problem.
For newer furnaces, things work differently. These models don’t use a standing flame. Instead, an electronic ignition either sparks or flashes a small hot surface to ignite the gas. These systems can fail if the ignitor is cracked or if a safety control detects an unsafe condition. Since ignition systems involve the gas supply and high heat, this is where homeowners should stop troubleshooting. Our technicians are trained to safely diagnose these types of problems and get the unit working again without delay.
Understanding what type of ignition system your furnace uses is half the battle. If you’re unsure, take note of the model number and have that ready when making a service call. It helps our team bring the right tools and parts to fix the problem on the first visit.
Make Sure the Furnace Door Is Closed Properly
Sometimes, the issue is simpler than it seems. A surprisingly common reason a furnace won’t kick on is an open or incorrectly placed access panel. Many modern furnaces are built with a safety switch that disables operation if the door isn’t fully secured. This helps prevent injuries from moving parts or electrical contact.
After checking the other areas, take a quick look at the main access panel. Make sure it’s sitting flush and locked in place. If it was recently opened for a filter change or maintenance, it’s possible it wasn’t reattached properly. Slide it back until you hear or feel it click into position.
Homeowners often overlook this detail, especially after doing simple maintenance work on their own. Even a small misalignment can keep the unit from turning on. Reattaching the door should only take a few seconds. Once that’s done, wait a minute and listen for the furnace to restart. If there’s still no response, then the fault lies elsewhere and an experienced technician will need to take things from there.
When to Involve a Professional Technician
Troubleshooting your own furnace only goes so far, especially when the issue involves electrical components, gas connections, or internal diagnostics. If you’ve worked through the basics—thermostat, power, pilot light, and door position—and there’s still no heat, it’s time to call our professionals.
Some warning signs should be taken as a signal to stop all troubleshooting:
– You smell gas or hear a hissing sound
– The furnace powers on but shuts off quickly (short cycling)
– Unusual noises such as banging, grinding, or clicking
– The blower stays on constantly, even when no heat is being produced
Our technicians are trained to handle these situations safely. With so many working pieces in a furnace system, a trained pair of eyes can often catch a hidden issue that might be missed otherwise.
Keeping Your Edmonton Home Warm and Comfortable
When your furnace suddenly stops working, it doesn’t just disrupt your day—it can affect your whole home. The good news is that many of the problems that cause a furnace to stay off can be quickly identified if you know where to look. But when those first steps don’t solve the problem, skilled help makes all the difference.
Having a team that understands common furnace failures specific to Edmonton homes can help reduce stress and downtime. Local knowledge, backed by hands-on experience, ensures the issue gets addressed the right way. Whether your system struggles during colder spring mornings or during a sudden dip in temperature, staying proactive ensures you and your family stay warm.
If you continue to experience heating issues despite completing your initial checks, it may be time to have our professionals assess the situation further. Mobil Heating & Air Conditioning Inc is ready to provide expert support to keep your home warm during the cold months. Trust our team for reliable furnace repair in Edmonton that ensures long-lasting comfort and system performance. For a quick estimate or to book a service visit, please contact us today.