Furnace Blower Not Working: Diagnosis and Troubleshooting

A functioning furnace is a key to staying comfortable during cold winter months. When the temperature outside drops, your home's furnace gets to work by producing and circulating heat around your home.

Unfortunately, even the highest-quality air conditioning and furnace blowers become subject to malfunction now and then. Thankfully, the technicians at Gladiator Services know what it takes to restore heat. Our professionals take the time to evaluate your HVAC unit and ensure that they provide repair services with long-lasting and effective results; you can learn more about AC services and repairs in Hillsdale by contacting the Gladiator team!

One of the most common problems homeowners face is the furnace blower not working. Before you call your local professionals, follow this troubleshooting guide to get a better handle on your furnace problems.

Problems and Troubleshooting steps

Determining what causes your furnace blower motor to malfunction is the first and most crucial step. Let's review some of the most common furnace problems and how to address them.

Dirty Air Filters

Filters keep the air in your home clean by collecting unwanted dust and debris. One of the most common furnace problems lies with a clogged filter.

Over time, dust builds up in the air filter, making it harder for your furnace to release clean air. As a result, your heating unit will struggle to reach the desired temperature. This not only affects your indoor air quality but can also gradually increase your energy bills.

Thankfully, replacing a dirty air filter is an easy and inexpensive fix. Before buying a new filter, make sure you know what size you need.

Replacing the furnace filter becomes an essential step in system maintenance. Ideally, you should replace your filter every 90 days to keep your system running efficiently.

The Furnace Won't Turn On

Another common indication of a furnace malfunction stems from when you can hear the unit clicking, but the blower fan doesn't turn on.

The clicking noise is the sound the furnace makes when it ignites. When you heat your home, the furnace releases gas through a gas valve; as this happens, the sensor acknowledges the gas flow and will ignite to produce sufficient heat.

Another common reason your furnace won't turn on includes the unit not getting enough voltage from the circuit board. To resolve this, turn off the circuit breaker for at least 20 minutes to reset the furnace.

You Hear Strange Noises Coming From the Unit

Hearing whining or squealing sounds coming from your heating system indicates a sign of a system issue. In some cases, a simple reset can restore your unit without needing further repairs.

If you reset the furnace and still hear strange noises, it is time to call the professionals. In most cases, a noisy furnace results from a damaged blower belt, which requires the specialized tools and skills of a licensed technician.

The Furnace Is on But Isn't Producing Heat

Another indication of a faulty furnace includes a lack of heat production. This generally occurs when you have a furnace that is too small for your house.

Like many other appliances in your home, you should not consider your furnace a one-size-fits-all system. When your furnace is too small for your house, it has to work harder to meet thermostat demands and keep your home at a comfortable temperature. This results in higher energy bills and insufficient heat.

When you notice the furnace blower not working or producing any heat, check the filters first. If the filters are clean, you need to reach out to a professional. Gladiator Services' technicians will test your heating unit to ensure it is the right size for your home. Replacing a furnace that is too small with an appropriately sized one will save you money and headache in the long run.

Malfunctioning Thermostat

Sometimes the problem with your heating system is not the furnace. Your heating unit works by releasing and circulating enough warm air to reach the temperature set by the thermostat. A malfunctioning thermostat will affect how the furnace performs. When the thermostat reads a lower temperature, the furnace will produce less heat to reach the designated temperature.

A malfunctioning thermostat will appear blank or won't read the correct temperature. In some cases, you can fix this by replacing the batteries. If this doesn't work, it may be time to replace the thermostat. Your local technician will help install and establish an electrical connection between your new thermostat and the heating unit.

Capacitor Issues

The capacitor often proves to be the culprit behind furnace issues. The capacitor is a small yet essential electrical component of your heating unit. Luckily, you can easily locate it and inexpensively replace it.

A common indication of a malfunctioning capacitor is a humming furnace that won't turn on. Some people choose to tackle a capacitor replacement as their next DIY project. Although this is doable, we do not recommend it for those uncomfortable around electrical components.

Troubleshooting a faulty capacitor needs to be left to the professionals due to its delicate electrical components. When you notice a humming sound or lack of heat coming from your furnace, let the licensed technicians at Gladiator Services provide a safe and effective system inspection.

Professional Furnace Repair

Fixing your home's furnace issues can seem like a daunting endeavor, but Gladiator Services aims to help. Our licensed technicians undergo extensive training to perfect their skills and ensure that they can fix your heating unit during the first visit.

Gladiator Services offers professional furnace repair in Hillsdale, NJ. Whether you have a minor issue or an emergency, our team stands ready to help with affordable repair services. There is no problem too big or too small for our team of dedicated professionals.

When you notice the furnace blower not working, you need to schedule a repair as soon as possible. Issues that seem like a minor inconvenience now can quickly grow into severe problems that require more expensive repairs.

Keep your home comfortable and your wallet happy by letting Gladiator Services in Hillsdale, NJ, repair your furnace blower. Call us today at (201) 419-6090 to schedule an inspection.