Four Reasons Your Furnace Is Not Working After A Power Outage

A furnace not working after a power outage is an incredibly inconvenient occurrence in Wisconsin’s frigid temperatures. Your furnace is susceptible to electrical problems, and in some cases, power outages can result in severe furnace problems.

Luckily, a few causes of a furnace not working are typically diagnosable yourself, such as tripped breakers and other switches, improper thermostat settings, and outdated functions. A West Bend HVAC contractor can help determine the problem if your furnace still won’t work after DIY troubleshooting or if severe problems occur.

1. No Power to the Unit

The most straightforward reason why your furnace isn’t working after a power outage is that the unit has no power. This problem could indicate interior electrical issues, a tripped safety function, or a problem elsewhere in your home.

• Tripped breaker: A tripped breaker is one of the most common reasons for no power to your furnace. Check the indoor and outdoor circuits to determine which is responsible.
• Automatic power shutoff: Old furnaces use Ground Fault Interrupter outlets to detect electrical problems and prevent further issues with your furnace. During a power outage, the GFI outlets automatically turn off your furnace’s power. Outages may cause other safety functions to engage, resulting in no power.

To restore the power to a furnace not working after power outage, locate the breaker box to reset the unit. Turn the circuit breaker switch off, wait about 30 seconds, then flip the switch back on and test the furnace. 

Resetting a GFCI outlet is slightly trickier. Professionals can guide you on how to do it or reset the outlet themselves. We now offer in-house electrical services to help; give us a call at 262-218-2636.

2. Thermostat Power Issues

Although many thermostats use battery power, they also connect to your home’s electrical system to activate your furnace. Depending on the type of thermostat you have and its wiring, it could have no power for a few reasons.

Potential thermostat issues include:

• The thermostat is off: Sometimes, the smallest problems are the easiest to miss. Check the thermostat for power and ensure it’s at a temperature higher than your indoor temperature. If the unit doesn’t activate, the issue is elsewhere.
• Low batteries: Low batteries in a battery-powered thermostat can prevent the unit from communicating with your furnace correctly. 
• Reset functions: Your thermostat’s safety functions may reset with extended power outages. To reverse these changes, access the breaker panel and shut off the thermostat’s power supply. After waiting around 30 seconds, you can repower the system.

Some thermostats have lock-out functions that change the temperature settings and other functions to the factory settings. You’ll need to read your thermostat’s manual to deactivate these settings and restore your ideal preferences.

3. A System Reset Is Necessary

Short power outages typically affect residential furnaces. A furnace not working after a power outage may need a reset, and most modern furnaces have a yellow or red reset button. 

You’ll need to reset your furnace’s breaker first. Next, homeowners with gas furnaces should turn off the pilot light and allow the gas to disperse. The pilot light will hold if you’re successful when relighting.

Find and press the reset button to restore an electrical unit's normal operation and settings. Some models may require you to hold the button down for 30 seconds. Quickly pressing the reset button in specific units may activate an additional safety mode.

4. Other Issues

In some cases, a power outage can lead to severe problems. You’ll need professional repairs if you notice your circuit breaker feels hot, the unit trips between the on and off positions, or if you smell a burning odor. These symptoms indicate serious electrical issues that could result in a severe shock or fire. Additionally, safety switches in improper positions can also prevent the unit from operating as it should. Check that each safety switch is in its place before you restart your furnace. Considering whether new furnaces are more efficient is essential for homeowners seeking to optimize energy usage and reduce utility costs.

Furnace Repair Services

Following the above tips can restore your furnace’s power successfully after power outages. If the problem persists, consider furnace repair services from Professional Services in Port Washington, WI.

At Professional Services, our skilled team of HVAC professionals diagnose your furnace’s issues accurately and repair them with state-of-the-art tools. When your furnace doesn’t work after a power outage, our experts can find out why. We offer years of expertise in diagnosing and resolving furnace problems.

Is your furnace not working after a power outage? Contact our professionals to get a furnace repair or replacement. Call Professional Services in Port Washington, WI, at 262-218-2636.