It’s below freezing in Kansas City and your heat just stopped working. Don’t panic — follow these steps in order. Most furnace no-heat calls have simple causes that you can check yourself in under 10 minutes before calling for emergency service.
Step 1: Check the Thermostat
This sounds obvious but accounts for a surprising number of service calls. Confirm:
- It’s set to Heat, not Cool or Fan
- The set temperature is above the current room temperature
- The fan is set to Auto
- If it has batteries, they’re not dead (replace them and wait 2 minutes)
Step 2: Check the Furnace Switch and Circuit Breaker
Furnaces have an on/off switch that looks like a light switch — usually on the unit itself or on a wall in the utility room. Make sure it’s on. Then check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker labeled “Furnace,” “HVAC,” or “Air Handler.” A tripped breaker will be in the middle position. Reset it once — if it trips again, stop and call a technician.
Step 3: Check the Filter
An extremely clogged filter can cause the furnace to overheat and trigger a safety shutoff (called the high-limit switch), which cuts heat to prevent fire. If your filter is visibly clogged, replace it, then reset the furnace by turning the switch off and on. Give it 30 minutes to cool before it will re-light.
Step 4: Check the Pilot Light or Ignition Status
Older furnaces (pre-2000) have a standing pilot light that can blow out. Check through the sight glass — if the flame is out, most have a relighting procedure printed on the furnace door. If you smell gas, don’t try to relight anything — leave the house and call the gas company.
Modern furnaces use electronic ignition. You may hear clicking when the system tries to start. If it clicks several times and nothing happens, the igniter may have failed.
Step 5: Check the Condensate Drain Line (High-Efficiency Furnaces)
High-efficiency furnaces (95%+ AFUE) produce condensate — water — as a byproduct. This drains through a small plastic tube. If the drain pan fills up or the line clogs, a safety float switch will shut the furnace off. If you see standing water near your furnace, this is likely the cause.
When to Call for Emergency Repair
Call immediately if:
- You smell gas at any point
- Your CO detector is alarming
- The furnace tries to start but shuts off repeatedly
- You’ve gone through the steps above and nothing works
- Outside temperatures are below 20°F and you have young children, elderly family members, or pets
When pipes start freezing, you’re looking at water damage on top of an HVAC repair. Don’t wait on this one.
Request emergency furnace repair — we dispatch licensed Kansas City contractors 24/7, same day.