As the fall temperatures drop in Rhode Island, most homeowners switch their thermostats from cooling to heating and wait for their home to warm up, only to find that their furnace won’t start and they’re stuck shivering.
It’s more common than you think. After sitting idle all summer, many heating systems struggle when they’re first called back into action. If you’re suddenly getting no heat from your furnace, here are the most common furnace issues we see at CARJON, and how to know when it’s time to call for furnace repair in Rhode Island.
1. Incorrect Thermostat Settings
Before assuming something major has failed, double-check the thermostat. Make sure:
The batteries are still good.
It’s set to HEAT, not COOL or FAN.
The temperature is set above your current room temperature.
It hasn’t switched into VACATION or ECO mode.
A simple thermostat correction is one of the most common fixes for a furnace that won’t turn on.
2. A Tripped Circuit Breaker
Even gas furnaces rely on electricity for ignition and blower operation. If the breaker controlling your furnace is in the middle position, it has likely tripped.
Flip it fully to the OFF position, then back to ON.
If it trips again, do not keep resetting it. This indicates an electrical problem that requires a professional furnace repair technician.
3. Pilot Light Problems (for Older Gas Furnaces)
If your furnace uses a standing pilot light, it may have gone out due to:
A strong wind draft
Dirt buildup
A faulty thermocouple
Sometimes relighting the pilot solves the problem, but if it won’t stay lit, it’s time to schedule furnace repair.
4. Safety Switches Doing Their Job
Modern furnaces include several safety sensors designed to shut down the system if something becomes dangerous.
The two most important switches are:
Pilot sensor – Shuts off gas if the pilot isn’t lit
Limit switch – Shuts the furnace down if the heat exchanger overheats
If your furnace won’t start, a faulty safety switch may be preventing operation.
Never bypass a safety switch. These components protect your home from carbon monoxide and fire risks.
5. Mechanical Failure or Lack of Maintenance
If you still have no heat from the furnace after checking the above issues, the problem could be more serious, such as:
A failed ignition system
A malfunctioning blower motor
Clogged burners
A dirty flame sensor
A cracked heat exchanger
Most of these require professional diagnosis and repair. Routine annual maintenance is the best way to prevent sudden furnace failures.
CARJON: Your Trusted Furnace Repair Team in Rhode Island
If your furnace won’t turn on and you’re unsure why, don’t risk troubleshooting dangerous components yourself. CARJON has been serving Rhode Island homeowners for more than 35 years with:
Fast, reliable furnace repair
Accurate diagnosis
Upfront pricing
Award-winning customer service
We’ll quickly determine what’s keeping your furnace from firing up and restore your heat so you can stay warm all winter long.
