Furnace Ain't Working

[SteveToms]

Hey, my furnace isn't working right now, any suggestions? Who to call? etc

The thermostat say it's on but it's not heating my basement.

[Biff]

You could check to see if the pilot light is still lit. If not, there is a procedure, usually printed on the furnace, for relighting it. If the pilot light is lit, maybe the motor died and isn't circulating warm air through the system. That, or you didn't pay the gas bill for a really long time.

[KevanGuy]

Have you changed the filter recently? If not it might be clogging things.

[SteveToms]

My upstairs furnace works so gas bill is paid, I can turn the fan on so that's something, it's just not lighting.

Edit: I phoned a guy changed the filter, turned thermostat off, then on, no dice. When I the thermostat say it's heat on, I don't even hear anything starting.

[Biff]

Is the pilot light lit? Sounds like that might be your issue.

[SteveToms]

How can I check? Sorry to sound stupid.

[Biff]

Not stupid. No one knows everything. There should be a cover that can be slid up and then removed from the front of the furnace. You should, once that is removed or maybe even without removing it, be able to look underneath the burners (usually 3 or so) and see a blue gas flame constantly burning. If this pilot light is not on, the furnace will not "fire up".

[redforever]

EVERLAST has a thread in the CP power ring forum, about furnace service, repairs and installations, he could probably help.

[Biff]

Speaking of learning something new. Not all furnaces use a standing pilot light anymore. Check for a setting on the furnace's gas valve that says pilot. If there isn't one, you have a electronically ignited furnace....and there isn't a pilot light that needs to stay lit. Regrettably you also have a furnace that likely needs professional help to determine what has caused it to cease functioning.

[SteveToms]

I see no pilot light, yet I see no pilot light on working furnace. Also I hurt my knee checking, maybe the answer is beer for me and a pro for the furnace.

[Biff]

Apparently many newer furnaces are using the electronic ignition system. Mine still uses a pilot light system. It's possible that you have exceeded the "user serviceable" potential of the situation. Apparently your gas company MAY be inclined to come out and check the furnace and, if possible, relight it. More beer is ALWAYS the right answer.

[SteveToms]

Beer is the answer, I started another, got pissed off I had no furnace went back in, took the panel off again, then put it back on, and it works now.

Go beer!

[Biff]

Beer: Proudly solving life's problems for, well, ever.

[You Need a Thneed]

Beer, the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems.

[Finny61]

I hate furnaces, I've had my share of issues and mine is new and high efficiency meaning don't touch me dumbass you can't fix me.