My furnace or my thromastat?

Question

My furnace is lit the piolit is burning,but it wont kick on,I would like to know which one it could be,the furnace or the thormastat,I would like to know,thank you

Answer 1

Take down the themostat, and disconnect the 2 very thin wires on the back. Hold them together to connect the circuit. If the furnace engages, then it's your thermostat. If not, you may have a more serious issue.

A blown thermostat is much more common than people think.

Also check to make sure that your breakers/ fuses are not blown or tripped.

Answer 2

Start with the simple stuff, check that the gas valve is turned to the "on" position and not the "pilot" position. Since you have a pilot, the electric switch is most likely on. Lack of power should close the pilot valve part of the gas valve.
If that checks out, you can "jumper" the thermostat by either touching a piece of wire to the terminal board in the furnace where the t-stat wire is hooked. or on the thermostat. Touch the wire to the R and W terminals. (you may need to hold the door switch closed). No worries about the little spark as the voltage at these terminals is only 24 volts with almost no amperage. If the furnace kicks on, the problem is in the "stat" or wires leading to it.
A tech will check for voltage at the gas valve when the stat is in a calling for heat position. The modern furnace has a series of safety and control switches which must all be closed for operation.
In any case, if you are unfamiliar with furnace repair, you should call someone who is capable, a faulty furnace can be VERY dangerous.

Answer 3

Hi Tabitha, I tend to agree with T C's answer. You should be okay. As long as the standing water in the basement is gone; I assume the power and sump pump came back on and you cleaned up the mess; you should be okay. There should be a removeable panel at the front of the furnace. Remove it and check for standing water. Should be dry by now. Definitely, get rid of the old filter, probably shot, and replace it (very cheap). You should see it sticking out of the ductwork just before the furnace or, on older furnaces, just inside the removeable panel. The old filter will have the size printed on it (16" x 25"; 14" x 22"; etc.). Check the "Arrow" markings on the new filter to be sure you install it correctly (Arrow direcction towards the furnace). If you are uncomfortable doing this, ask around to friends or relatives and you should get some help without calling a Heating company $$$. It's simple... unless you've never done it before. 3" of water probably never got up to the critical components. Give it a try. If there's no water inside the furnace, turn the thermostat to HEAT, adjust the temp setting higher and see if it comes on. If it doesn't work then, yeah, call a pro, but from what you said, you should be good to go. As far as the other advice, Battery back-up, mold, de-humidifier, maybe a back-up generator, other precautions... Yes; but I'm just looking at the immediate problem. GL

Answer 4

Start with a new thermostat. Since the pilot light is burning, fuel is available. If a new thermostat doesn't correct the problem, call a furnace technician for an evaluation and repair. Good luck.

Answer 5

check the furnace switch at the top of the stairs usually red or blue
then the breakers if you have a setback thermostat look for heat setting after that call a pro the rest is too technical to be bothered

Answer 6

Be sure you have turned the knob for the pilot light setting from pilot to on. This is a common error

Answer 7

thermostat definitely

Answer 8

you might need to service the dangle shaft

Answer 9

might be both