Furnace Not Working? A Tennessee Homeowner's Troubleshooting Guide
A furnace that quits on a cold Tennessee night is stressful, but a few quick checks can often get you back up and running — or tell you it's time to call for furnace repair.
Step 1: Check the thermostat
Set it to Heat and raise the setpoint 5 degrees above room temperature. Replace batteries if the display is dim.
Step 2: Check power and the breaker
Furnaces have a switch that looks like a light switch, usually on or near the unit. Make sure it's on, then check the breaker panel. If the breaker trips again, stop and call — that indicates an electrical fault.
Step 3: Check the filter
A clogged filter causes the furnace to overheat and shut down on its high-limit switch. This is the leading cause of a furnace short cycling.
Step 4: Check the gas supply
Is the gas valve handle parallel to the pipe? Are other gas appliances working? If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility first, then call us for emergency heating repair.
Step 5: Look at the control board light
Most modern furnaces have a small LED that blinks an error code. The legend is printed inside the furnace door. Common codes point to a dirty flame sensor, a stuck pressure switch or a failed igniter.
Step 6: Check the condensate drain (high-efficiency furnaces)
Condensing furnaces shut down if the drain line clogs. A wet floor near the furnace is a clue.
Common furnace repairs we perform
- Dirty or failed flame sensor
- Cracked hot-surface igniter
- Bad pressure switch or blocked vent
- Failed blower motor or capacitor
- Faulty gas valve or control board
- Cracked heat exchanger (requires furnace replacement)
Prevent next year's breakdown
Most winter no-heat calls trace back to a lack of maintenance. Schedule a furnace tune-up each fall — or join our HVAC maintenance plan for both seasons.
Airbourne Air Conditioning provides furnace repair 24/7 in every Tennessee city, including Nashville, Knoxville, Clarksville and Murfreesboro.
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