No heat help
Furnace not working? Check these 8 things first
A lot of no heat calls start with something simple. Here's what you can safely check in about 10 minutes, and when to stop and call. For homes, lake houses and rentals around Osage Beach, Jefferson City and Mid-Missouri.
- Safe checks, no tools needed
- What to do if you smell gas or a CO alarm goes off
- The signs that mean stop and call right away
Still no heat? We'll call you back.
Tell us what's going on and a real person calls you back. Faster still, just call. We answer 24/7.
Heat out right now? Call (573) 693-8863.
Safety first
Smell gas? Leave now.
Don't flip switches, use the thermostat or light anything. Get everyone outside, then call your gas or propane company or 911 from outside.
CO alarm going off?
Get everyone, pets included, outside into fresh air and call 911. Don't go back in until it's cleared. Then call us to find the cause.
The 10 minute check
8 things to check before you call
Go in order. If one of these fixes it, great. If not, you'll have useful details for the technician, which can make the visit faster.
Thermostat
Make sure it's set to Heat, not Cool or Off, and at least 5 degrees above the room. If the screen is blank or dim, replace the batteries.
Breaker and furnace switch
Check the panel for a tripped furnace or air handler breaker. Near the furnace there's usually a switch that looks like a light switch. Make sure it's on. Reset a tripped breaker once. If it trips again, leave it off and call.
Filter
A clogged filter can overheat the furnace and trip a safety switch that shuts it down. If you can't see light through it, replace it and give the system a few minutes.
Furnace door
Most furnaces won't run unless the front panel is fully seated, because it presses a safety switch. Make sure it's snapped in all the way.
Gas or propane
Are the gas stove or water heater working? If not, the problem may be the gas supply. On propane, check the tank gauge. If the tank ran empty, call your propane supplier. They'll usually need to check for leaks before relighting.
Vent pipes outside
High efficiency furnaces vent through two white plastic pipes on the side of the house. Snow, leaves or a nest can block them and shut the furnace off. Clear them if you can reach them safely.
Water around the furnace
High efficiency furnaces make water. If the drain line or condensate pump backs up, a float switch shuts the heat off. Water in the pan or on the floor is the clue. Call us to clear it.
Heat pump iced over
Light frost is normal and melts off during defrost. A thick block of ice that stays for more than an hour or two isn't. Don't chip at it. Switch the thermostat to Emergency or Aux Heat if you have it, and call.
Stop and call
When to stop checking and call right away
It keeps tripping
The breaker trips a second time, or the furnace starts and shuts off over and over.
Smells or sounds
A burning or electrical smell, a loud bang when it lights, or grinding and screeching.
Freeze risk
No heat with temperatures near or below freezing, especially in an empty lake house where pipes can freeze.
Want to stop the next no heat night before it starts? Get the free Winter Ready Home Checklist, or take the 1 minute heating bill quiz.
Common questions
No heat questions
Why is my furnace blowing cold air?
Check the thermostat fan setting first. If it's on On instead of Auto, the blower runs even when the burners are off. A clogged filter can also trip a safety switch, and a dirty flame sensor or ignition problem can keep the burners from staying lit. If the filter and settings look fine, call us.
Why does my furnace turn on and then shut off?
Common causes are a dirty flame sensor, a clogged filter or a blocked vent pipe. Replace the filter and check the vent pipes outside. If it keeps cycling, a technician can clean and test the flame sensor and safety controls.
Is it safe to keep resetting my furnace?
Once is fine. If it shuts down again, it's telling you something is wrong. Repeated resets can hide a real problem, so it's time to call.
Do you really answer at night and on weekends?
Yes. Call (573) 693-8863 any hour, any day, and a real person picks up.
What areas do you cover?
Osage Beach, Lake Ozark, Camdenton, Jefferson City and the towns around them across Mid-Missouri.
Still no heat? We answer 24/7.
Call (573) 693-8863Need a repair today or a new system this season?
Call for a service call any hour of the day, nights and weekends included. Planning a new furnace, heat pump, AC or mini split? Estimates on new systems are free, with no obligation to book.
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