Why won't my furnace turn on?
If you smell gas or a carbon monoxide alarm is sounding, leave the house and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. ENERGY STAR's certified homes guide says a dirty filter can even shut the air handler down, so check the filter monthly. During a power outage, the CPSC says never run a generator indoors.
If you smell gas or a carbon monoxide alarm is sounding, leave the house and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. What to do when the furnace is not working is that order. Cedar Rapids has the MidAmerican gas number for that city.
A dirty filter can stop the air handler
The ENERGY STAR certified homes guide says a dirty filter can even cause the air handler to shut down. The filter catches particles that reduce the air delivered through the ducts. The maintenance checklist says to inspect, clean, or change the furnace air filter once a month. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage the equipment.
Why is my furnace blowing cold air? explains how the burner and fan move heat, and how to shut the system off before changing a filter.
During a power outage
The CPSC says never to run a generator indoors, and never to heat the house with a gas oven. The CPSC says: "Never service fuel-burning appliances without proper knowledge, skill and tools." If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, do not look for the source. Go outside, call 911, and do not go back in until emergency responders say you can. The EPA lists leaking furnaces and a blocked or disconnected flue among carbon monoxide sources.
Sources
- ENERGY STAR: Certified Homes maintenance guide (PDF)energystar.gov
- ENERGY STAR: Maintenance checklistenergystar.gov
- CPSC: Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answerscpsc.gov
- EPA: Carbon Monoxide's Impact on Indoor Air Qualityepa.gov
- MidAmerican Energy: natural gas safetymidamericanenergy.com
- Minnesota Energy Resources: Natural gas safety basicsminnesotaenergyresources.com
Who wrote and checked this page
- Written by
- Cold House Fix editorial staff. Who runs this site
- Facts checked
- , by the Cold House Fix editorial staff, against the sources listed on this page.
- Licensed professional
- None. No licensed heating contractor has checked this page.
Ask for a call about the furnace.
If you smell gas or a carbon monoxide alarm is sounding, leave the house and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. Asking for a call does not hire a company.