Should I Leave the Furnace on if it Is Not Pumping Air?

Circuit Breakers and Fuses

• Whether your furnace is gas, oil or electric, the blower motor requires electric power to run. Since the first step in checking your furnace's blower motor is to cut electricity to the unit, look in the breaker box and make sure the circuit breaker is not already tripped. If it is, flip the circuit breaker switch to "off" and then turn it back to "on" and listen for the furnace blower to start up. Monitor the breaker box to see if the circuit trips again. If the furnace keeps tripping the breaker, call an electrician. Do not allow the furnace to run if the blower does not work, as this can make the furnace to overheat, causing more damage.

Thermostat Settings

• Most thermostats have an "auto" and an "on" position for the blower. If the thermostat is set to "auto," switch it to the "on" position and listen for the furnace blower to begin running. If the blower motor does not come on, check for other problems.

Emergency Cutoff Switch

• Some furnaces have an emergency cutoff switch nearby that looks like a standard light switch. Make sure the switch has not accidentally been turned off.

Fuses

• Open up the control panel to the blower motor. Look for burnt wires. If any of the unit's wires are burned, stop and call an electrician. Check the panel to see if the unit has its own fuse. If it has a fuse and the fuse is blown, simply replace the blown fuse with a new fuse of the same size. Do not open the control panel or touch anything inside unless you are sure the circuit breaker for the furnace located in the home's main electrical panel is turned off. Monitor the fuse to make sure it remains intact. If the fuse blows again, call a professional.

Blower Motor

• With the power to the furnace off, try turning the blower manually. If the blower blades do not move, check for oil ports and try oiling the motor. Give the oil time to penetrate, then try again to turn the blower. If it still does not move, call a professional to service or replace the unit.

Warning

• Don't overstep your abilities, especially when dealing with electricity. Follow any instructions included in the owner's manual for troubleshooting instructions. Once you check the fuses and circuits and visually inspect the wiring, if the blower motor still doesn't work, call in a professional.