Loosing heating in the winter is enough to send chills up the spine of any homeowner. Before you panic, run through this quick checklist to confirm your furnace needs repairs:
Make sure the thermostat has fresh batteries, is turned on and set to the correct time and day.
Check that the circuit breaker isn't tripped.
Replace the air filter on your furnace following the owner's manual.
If your furnace still doesn't turn on, it may be time to call a contractor who specializes in furnace repair. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contractor, also known as an HVAC technician, specializes in diagnosing and fixing common furnace problems. They can also conduct furnace maintenance before the start of winter to make sure you don't end up without heating when you need it most.
Along with the not turning on at all, a faulty furnace might result in more expensive energy bills as you turn it on more often to heat your home. Also, call an HVAC contractor if you hear unusual noises, like loud clanking sounds, if it keeps cycling, if your pilot light goes out, or if the unit is leaking.