As long as you have kept your filter clean, the furnace should be safe to turn on, so that you can be comfortable until your annual check-up can be scheduled. In the meantime, note any unusual noises that may be a sign of a problem. A slight smell the first time the furnace runs may not necessarily be a problem, and should go away fairly quickly.

Hopefully this has you up and running again.

If not, please call our 24-hour Emergency Hotline at 519-885-2740

The easy answer is "when it's dirty". But that isn't always apparent. You need to spend some time keeping an eye on it to understand how often it loads up to or beyond its capacity. We usually recommend that:

• 1" wide basic filter should be changed monthly if the furnace fan is running
• 1" pleated filter has more surface area and can last longer, so plan on checking and changing it every two months.
• 5" pleated filter can last up to a year, but we always recommend checking it a couple of times throughout the year,

Be very careful of electronic or electrostatic filter systems on your furnace. Not only should they be powered down when checking, cleaning or changing components, they should be checked monthly. Because the filter or pre-filter area is usually a flat surface they tend to load up much sooner than you expect. This can cause problems with your heating and cooling system and wreak havoc with your operating costs because of poor air flow.

Hopefully this has you up and running again.

If not, please call our 24-hour Emergency Hotline at 519-885-2740

Simply, anytime your furnace isn't running, you are saving money. That said, there is more than just your furnace to consider when setting back the temperature. Plants/pets do not react well to colder temperatures. Other fixtures/appliances in the house were never meant to see cold temperatures and it could affect their performance/lifespan/warranty. For the above reasons, anything below 60°F wouldn't be advisable.

Hopefully this has you up and running again.

If not, please call our 24-hour Emergency Hotline at 519-885-2740

If you're in almost any residence in Ontario, you'll find a switch somewhere that turns off the power to the furnace. In many cases, if it's an unfinished basement or an older home, it's installed up in the joist near the basement stairs. If it's in a finished basement, it should be installed near the furnace itself, somewhere near the furnace on a wall up higher that you'd typically expect to find a light switch.

We label our furnace switches for our customers' convenience usually with a non-erase marker.

Hopefully this has you up and running again.

If not, please call our 24-hour Emergency Hotline at 519-885-2740

• Ensure your thermostat is set in the heating position, not on cooling or off.
• Check the exterior vents for your furnace. Newer high efficiency models don't use the chimney. There will be a one or two pipe system terminating on the outside of the house . Ensure that the vents are clear of snow and blockages.
• Increase your thermostat a few degrees to see if your heating system activates.
• Make sure your warm air registers and cold air returns are clear. Remove anything that might block them like furniture, drapes or rugs.
• Check your fuse or circuit breaker, which is in your home's main electrical panel. If you have fuses, you may need to replace one. If you have a breaker, try resetting it.
• Clean or replace your furnace filter if it's dirty. Always turn off the power switch before opening your furnace. Close the furnace access panel before switching it back on.
• Ensure that your furnace power switch (similar to a light switch and located near your furnace) is in the "on" position.

Remember . . .

Inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month in your central air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage your equipment, leading to early failure.

Hopefully this has you up and running again.

If not, please call our 24-hour Emergency Hotline at 519-885-2740

• Ensure your thermostat is set in the cooling position, not in heating or off.
• Is the breaker turned on? Is the furnace switch powered on? Check your fuse or circuit breaker, which is in your home's main electrical panel. If you have fuses, you may need to replace one. If you have a breaker, try resetting it. Also ensure outdoor disconnect is in on position.
• Check the filter. AC systems need unobstructed air flow to work properly. While you're at it, check around the furnace/ air handler where the lines join the indoor coil with the outdoor coil. Is there any ice build-up there or anywhere in and around the plenum? If so, your unit is either malfunctioning or the air flow is impeded.
• Decrease your thermostat a few degrees to see if your AC system activates.
• Make sure your supply air registers and air returns are clear. Remove anything that might block them like furniture, drapes or rugs.
• Is the fan on the outdoor unit and the indoor air handler/furnace running? If so, can you feel air coming out of the registers? If not, the coil may be frozen and obstructing the air flow. You will likely need a service call in this situation. Let us know about the conditions you observed.
• Clean or replace your furnace filter if it's dirty. Always turn off the power switch before opening your furnace. Close the furnace access panel before switching it back on.
• Ensure that your furnace power switch (similar to a light switch and located near your furnace) is in the "on" position.

Remember . . .

Inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month in your central air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage your equipment, leading to early failure.

Hopefully this has you up and running again.

If not, please call our 24-hour Emergency Hotline at 519-885-2740