What to do when your furnace won’t start
When a furnace refuses to start on a cold Ogden morning, most homeowners think the worst. Many no-heat calls in Weber County end up being simple fixes. A quick check can save time, money, and a chilly evening. If the basics do not solve it, a trained technician should step in, especially with gas, ignition, or control issues. This walkthrough focuses on common causes seen in HVAC Ogden service calls and how to handle them safely.
Start with the easy wins
Confirm the thermostat is set to Heat and the setpoint is a few degrees above the room temperature. A bump from 68 to 72 often triggers a call for heat. If the display is blank or dim, replace the batteries. Many wall thermostats in older homes near East Bench rely on AA batteries and will not signal the furnace when weak.
Look at the furnace switch. Every furnace should have a nearby light-switch-style disconnect. It can get flipped during storage or cleaning. Keep it in the On position. If a service door was removed, reseat it firmly; many units have a door safety switch that interrupts power when the panel is loose.
Check the breaker panel. Furnaces often share space with a dedicated 15–20 amp breaker. If it is in the middle or feels loose, turn it fully off, then back on. If it trips again, stop and call One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. A recurring trip points to a shorted wire, seized blower, or failing transformer.
Replace a clogged furnace filter. Restricted airflow can overheat the heat exchanger and trip the high-limit switch, which locks out the burners. In Ogden’s dusty shoulder seasons, a 1-inch filter can load up in 30–60 days. Look for a clean MERV 8–11 filter installed with the arrow pointing toward the furnace.
Set the fan to On for a minute. If the blower runs, you have power and a working motor. If it does not, the issue could be power, control board, or a seized motor. Do not force it.
Gas supply and ignition basics
Most gas furnaces along Harrison Boulevard and into South Ogden use electronic ignition. A no-start can trace back to gas flow or a failed igniter. Confirm the gas valve on the furnace gas line is parallel with the pipe. If it is crosswise, it is off. If you smell gas, leave the home, contact your utility, then book service. Do not light the unit.
Listen for the ignition sequence. A healthy startup sounds like this: inducer fan starts, pressure switch clicks, hot surface igniter glows or you hear a spark, gas valve opens with a soft whoosh, then the blower ramps up after a short delay. If the inducer never starts, think power, control board, or a pressure switch fault. If the igniter glows but burners do furnace repair Ogden One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning not light, suspect a dirty flame sensor or blocked burners. If burners light then drop out within a few seconds, the flame sensor likely needs cleaning or replacement.
A flame sensor is a small metal rod in the burner flame path. Over time it builds up oxidation. A trained tech can clean it with a fine abrasive pad and test microamp readings. Homeowners sometimes attempt this, but it is easy to bend the rod or crack porcelain. If the furnace is short-cycling, schedule a visit.
Thermostat signals and wiring
Smart thermostats are common in newer Ogden remodels, and many require a C wire for steady power. If your system lacks a C wire, a power-stealing thermostat may cause erratic heat calls. If the furnace worked before a thermostat swap, double-check the wiring: R to R, W to W for heat, and C if available. Loose or mis-seated conductors under the small terminal screws can stop a heat call entirely.
For older mercury or simple digital stats, a quick test can isolate the thermostat. With the system power off, remove the thermostat and temporarily jump R to W at the sub-base. Restore power. If the furnace starts, the issue is with the thermostat or its wiring. If it still does not, the issue is in the furnace or safety chain. If you are not comfortable with low-voltage wiring, skip this step and bring in a pro.
Safety switches that prevent startup
Modern furnaces rely on safeties to protect the home. In Ogden’s cold snaps, two show up frequently on service calls.
- High-limit switch: This senses overheating from poor airflow, clogged filters, closed registers, or a slowing blower motor. If tripped, let the unit cool for 30 minutes, install a clean filter, open supply registers, and try again. Persistent trips point to a deeper problem such as a failing blower capacitor or undersized return. Pressure switch: This verifies the venting is clear and the inducer is moving the right amount of air. Snow drifts in Uintah or frost buildup on rooftop terminations can block vents. Check that intake and exhaust pipes outside are free of ice, leaves, or bird nests. Do not chip at PVC terminations with tools; gentle clearing is enough.
If you find water pooling under a high-efficiency furnace, the condensate drain may be blocked. A full trap can prevent the pressure switch from closing, which stops the ignition sequence. Clear the vinyl tubing if it is obviously kinked, and confirm the condensate pump is plugged in and running. If the pump hums but does not move water, it may need replacement.
Pilot lights on older systems
Some pre-2000 homes in central Ogden still run standing-pilot furnaces. If the pilot is out, relight it following the lighting instructions on the furnace label. Set the gas control to Pilot, hold the button, light the pilot, keep holding for 30–60 seconds, then switch to On. If the pilot will not stay lit, the thermocouple may be weak or the pilot jet may be dirty. Avoid poking at the jet with pins; a proper clean uses compressed air and care.
If wind from a poorly sealed flue snuffs the pilot, a draft correction might be needed. That is a job for a licensed technician who can check vent sizing and chimney condition.
Odors, noises, and what they mean
A slight hot-dust smell at first start of the season is normal. It burns off settled dust on the heat exchanger. Sharp electrical odors, repeated clicking without ignition, grinding blower sounds, or a booming light-off are warning signs. Booming often means delayed ignition from dirty burners. Do not keep cycling power to force a start; it can crack the heat exchanger or damage the igniter.
Carbon monoxide is silent. If the furnace runs briefly then trips, and CO alarms chirp, leave immediately. Call 911, then schedule an inspection. Furnace heat exchangers can crack with age or after severe overheating. One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning carries combustion analyzers and can test for flue gas leaks on site.
Ogden-specific issues that stall furnaces
Winter inversions in Ogden increase airborne particulates. Filters load faster and limit airflow. Homes near construction zones or unpaved roads see the same. Check filters monthly from November through February. In east bench homes with tight envelopes, negative pressure from kitchen hoods can pull air backward through the furnace vent. If doors slam when the furnace runs, mention this during service; adding combustion air or correcting vent terminations often solves it.
Snow can block high-efficiency PVC vents on north-facing walls. Clear a 12–18 inch radius around terminations after storms. For rooftop vents, consider a service call for safe removal and evaluation, especially after heavy snow or rime ice.
Hard water in Weber County leaves scale in condensate traps and pumps. An annual flush during a tune-up prevents surprise shutdowns mid-season.
When a reset helps and when it hurts
Power-cycling the furnace can clear a temporary lockout. Turn off the furnace switch, wait 60 seconds, then restore power. If the unit tries to light three to five times and locks out again, stop. Repeated retries can flood the heat exchanger with unburned gas or overheat components.
Some control boards have a sight glass. A blinking LED provides error codes. Note the blink pattern and share it with the technician. It shortens diagnosis.
What service looks like during a no-heat call
A proper no-heat visit in Ogden usually includes electrical checks, gas pressure measurement, combustion analysis on furnaces with accessible test ports, and a full ignition sequence test. Common fixes our techs make on the first visit include replacing a cracked hot surface igniter, cleaning the flame sensor, freeing a stuck inducer, replacing a failed blower capacitor, or correcting a blocked condensate line. Many of these parts carry manufacturer-specific variations; that is why a stocked service van matters on a freezing night.
Quick homeowner checklist before calling
- Confirm thermostat is on Heat with fresh batteries and a setpoint above room temperature. Verify the furnace switch is on and the breaker is not tripped. Install a clean filter and ensure supply and return grilles are open. Check that outdoor intake and exhaust pipes are clear of snow, ice, and debris. If safe, set the fan to On to confirm the blower runs; note any error lights.
If any step reveals a gas smell, a tripping breaker, or repeated ignition failure, stop and book service.
Prevent a no-start next time
Annual maintenance every fall catches small issues before winter hits. In our HVAC Ogden tune-ups, technicians test igniter resistance, clean burners and flame sensors, verify gas manifold pressure, inspect heat exchangers, flush condensate traps, and measure blower amperage and temperature rise. Those steps reduce nuisance lockouts and improve comfort during cold snaps.
Upgrades can also help. A media filter cabinet reduces frequent filter changes. Surge protection can protect control boards during winter outages. A smart thermostat with a proper C wire keeps stable heat calls and allows alerts if the home drops below a set temperature while you are away.
Ready for fast help in Ogden, UT
If the furnace still will not start, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to help across Ogden, South Ogden, Washington Terrace, Riverdale, and North Ogden. Same-day service is available most days, with fully stocked vans for common furnace parts. Call to schedule a repair or book online. Mention any error codes or noises you noticed and the team will arrive prepared. For reliable HVAC Ogden service that keeps homes warm, make the next step easy and set your appointment today.
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning provides trusted furnace repair in Ogden, UT and full-service HVAC solutions for homes and businesses. Family-owned and operated by Matt and Sarah McFarland, our company is built on honesty, hard work, and quality service—values passed down from Matt’s experience on McFarland Family Farms, known across Utah for its sweet corn. As part of a national network founded in 2002, we bring reliable heating and cooling care backed by professional training and local dedication.
Our licensed technicians handle furnace and AC installation, repair, and maintenance, heat pumps, ductless mini-splits, thermostat upgrades, air purification, indoor air quality testing, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, duct cleaning, zoning systems, and energy-efficient replacements. We stand by a 100% satisfaction guarantee through the UWIN® program and provide honest recommendations to help Ogden homeowners stay comfortable year-round.
Call today for dependable service that combines national standards with a personal, local touch.
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
1501 W 2650 S #103
Ogden,
UT
84401,
USA
Phone: (801) 405-9435
Website: https://www.onehourheatandair.com/ogden
