3 Causes Why Your Furnace Isn’t Staying Lit and How to Solve It

A broken furnace is frustrating to put up with. There are several reasons this may happen, but one of the most likely is something wrong with the burners or relevant components. 

Newer systems don’t rely on pilot lights to keep the furnace lit. Instead, they use electronic ignition. If this ignition is damaged, the burners won’t work like they should. 

When your gas furnace is performing properly, here’s how it should run: 

  • The thermostat informs your furnace to activate. 
  • Your furnace’s draft inducer fan turns on to bring fresh air through your furnace. 
  • The gas valve opens to direct gas into the pilot burner. 
  • An electronic spark ignites the pilot light. 
  • The flame sensor informs your furnace that the pilot has been lit. 
  • The gas valve sends gas to the primary burners, which are lit by the pilot light. 
  • Your furnace then transports warm air throughout your home via ductwork. 

If something goes wrong during this process, your furnace will deactivate for safety concerns. Or it might turn off a few minutes into heating because it’s overheating. 

Several of these malfunctions can be fixed on their own, but others are best handled by professional assistance. When you want the best furnace repair in the U.S., call our heat Experts at 866-397-3787. We repair all brands and our service is backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* 

Here are some of the typical reasons why your heating isn’t staying lit and what to do moving forward. 

1. Faulty Flame Sensor 

Your furnace’s flame sensor is a safety component that tells your furnace when gas is ignited. If the sensor is dirty or faulty, it could work intermittently or not at all. Even if the sensor is operating as normal, misaligned positioning leaves it unable to detect the flame entirely. While you can try troubleshooting and cleaning this sensor right away, trusting an expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing will make sure the problem is handled promptly and correctly. 

2. Overheated Furnace 

Your furnace utilizes built-in safety functions that deactivates your furnace if it gets too hot. One of the most common causes is a filthy filter. We recommend inspecting your air filter each month. If you can’t see light through it, swap it out. 

3. Thermostat is Malfunctioning 

Your thermostat commands your furnace when it is time to heat your residence. When it’s not working as it’s supposed to, your furnace will require more energy to keep your home warm. This can be a battery or electrical problem, depending on what kind of thermostat you use. We suggest opening your owner’s manual or manufacturer’s website for necessary troubleshooting info. If you still can’t get yours working, call our Experts at 866-397-3787. We’ll find the problem promptly and can replace your thermostat, if that is required. 

A number of these issues, like a dirty flame sensor or an overheated furnace, are due to a lack of routine furnace maintenance. It’s important to have this service performed annually, because it might help reduce breakdowns, improve your furnace’s energy efficiency and may even make it live longer. 

We Have You Protected When It’s Time for Furnace Replacement 

Inevitably, your furnace can’t work like it used to despite attempts to repair or maintain it. When the time comes, consider Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing and our professional furnace replacement in the U.S.. We work with some of the number one furnace brands, including Lennox®, to offer you affordable, energy-efficient heating systems. 

When you’re thinking about replacing your furnace, consider signing up for our Advantage Program™. Buying a new furnace can be thousands of dollars out of pocket. As an Advantage member, you’ll receive a new furnace for just one small monthly fee. There’s no down payment or installation expenses, and you get to pocket any helpful rebates. 

What’s even better is that Advantage members don’t pay a penny for repairs** or maintenance. If disaster hits, you’re protected with 24/7 priority service. You’ll also enjoy discounts, no last-minute charges and lots of other benefits. 

Don’t struggle with interruptions to your comfort for a moment longer. Give Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing a call at 866-397-3787 to schedule an appointment now. Whether you need repairs or if it’s time for a new furnace, we guarantee your satisfaction. 


*Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions. **See your signed Advantage Agreement for details. 

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