What if My Furnace Won’t Run After a Power Outage?

Power outages can happen for any number of reasons from storms to accidents. It can be frustrating, but if you’re lucky your power will be back on before too long. When it does come back on, there’s a possibility your furnace won’t restart automatically. If your home is still cold after a power outage and your furnace isn’t back up and running, don’t panic. This is actually quite common.

You may be tempted to immediately call for furnace repair in Burlington, but wait. There are a few things to try first.

Check Your Thermostat

The first step should always be to check your thermostat. Make sure it is on, set to heat, and that the temperature is set to something below the current indoor temperature. Notice if there are any warnings listed on the screen that would indicate that something is wrong with the system. If all seems well, proceed to the next step.

Check the Circuit Breakers

Sometimes when the power goes out, it causes a power surge that can trip circuit breakers. Locate your electrical box and notice if any breakers are flipped the opposite way from the others. If your electrical box is labeled, find the breaker that is labeled “furnace” or “HVAC system.” If it is flipped to the off position, flip it back the other way to the on position. This should allow your system to turn on if that was the problem.

Check the Pilot Light

If you have an older furnace, it may have a pilot light that stays lit during the cold weather months. Newer furnaces automatically light the pilot light when the thermostat calls for heat. But if yours is the older variety that typically has a permanently lit pilot light, check to see that it is still lit. If not, relight it. If it won’t stay lit, there may be a separate problem that needs to be addressed by a professional.

Reboot Your Furnace

If the breaker wasn’t already tripped before, you can restart your furnace by flipping the breaker off, waiting a few minutes, and then flipping it back on. This gives the system an opportunity to reboot itself and start fresh, which will sometimes do the trick.

Call Berico for Furnace Repair in Burlington 

If you’ve tried everything and your furnace is still not running, call for furnace repair in Burlington. Berico can inspect your system to determine why it is not restarting. There’s a possibility that something was damaged in your furnace or the electrical system, especially if the power went out due to lightning. If the power is back on for the rest of your home, your furnace should be back up and running as well. Berico provides repair and replacement services for all HVAC systems, including gas, propane, and oil furnaces.

Call (336) 273-8663 or schedule furnace service today.