When you discover the heat not working in house, we know how disruptive it can be. Austin’s cold fronts don’t last long, but when they hit, they hit hard—and that’s usually when your furnace or heat pump decides to act up. At Solution Finders AC & Heating, we help Austin homeowners get their heat back fast, but before you call us, there are a few simple checks you can make that might point you in the right direction.
We’re walking you through the same steps we talk our customers through on the phone. Some issues are quick fixes. Others require professional repair. Either way, this guide helps you understand what’s going on and when it’s time to bring us in.
Heat Not Working in House? Start With Your Thermostat
When homeowners call about the heat not working in house, the thermostat is the first thing we suggest checking. It sounds too basic, but it’s one of the most common reasons heat won’t turn on.
Make sure the thermostat is:
Set to Heat, not Cool or Fan
Set to a temperature higher than the room
Showing a clear display (dim or blank screens usually mean dying batteries)
If you replace the batteries or adjust the settings, give your furnace a few minutes to respond. Modern systems don’t always react instantly. Many times, the heat turns back on once the thermostat sends a proper signal.
Breaker Issues
Your furnace relies on electricity—even if it runs on gas. When we arrive on service calls for heat not working in house, we often find a tripped breaker that shut the entire system down.
Check your electrical panel and look for a breaker that’s sitting in the middle or turned off. Reset it once. If it trips again, that tells us there’s an electrical problem that needs diagnosis.
Breakers trip for reasons like:
Overloaded circuits
Failing blower motors
Loose wiring
Shorted components
If your breaker won’t stay reset, leave it off and call us. Repeatedly resetting a failing circuit can cause bigger electrical issues.
Air Filter Problems and Heat Not Working in House
A clogged air filter is one of the top reasons a furnace overheats or shuts down. If you’re noticing heat not working in house and your airflow feels weak or your system is cycling on and off, the filter may be the issue.
Here’s what to look for:
A filter packed with dust
Reduced air coming from the vents
The furnace shutting off quickly after starting
If light can’t pass through the filter, it’s overdue for replacement. A clean filter protects the system, reduces strain, and helps your home heat evenly.
Flame Issues That Lead to Heat Not Working in House
If you have a gas furnace, the burner flame tells us a lot. A healthy flame burns steady and blue. A yellow, flickering, or unstable flame usually points to problems like dirty burners, ventilation issues, or restricted airflow.
Many furnaces also have LED indicator lights that blink error codes. When you call us, we often ask for the code pattern because it helps us diagnose the issue before we arrive.
These types of problems involve safety controls. For your protection, we always recommend letting a licensed technician handle anything involving combustion or ignition.
Heat Not Working in House Due to Strange Furnace Noises
Before a furnace stops working completely, it often sends a warning. We hear about unusual noises on almost every “heat not working in house” call.
Common sounds that tell us trouble is coming include:
Rattling
Squealing
Grinding
Loud bangs at startup
These noises can indicate loose components, blower motor issues, ignition problems, or a failing internal part. Addressing these early prevents more expensive repairs later.
Blocked or Closed Vents
Sometimes the furnace isn’t the issue—your vents are. If heat not working in house seems to happen only in specific rooms, blocked or closed vents may be causing uneven heating.
Make sure:
Every vent is open
Furniture or rugs aren’t covering vents
Nothing is blocking airflow
Restricted airflow forces your system to work harder and can make parts of the home feel cold even when the furnace is running.
Why Older Systems Often Have Heat Not Working in House
Heating systems don’t last forever. Furnaces and heat pumps typically run 12–15 years before age starts causing more frequent issues.
If your system is older and you’re seeing the heat not working in house repeatedly, age may be a major part of the problem. We see issues like:
Worn blower motors
Failing igniters
Cracked heat exchangers
Weak airflow
Increasing energy use
We always look at overall system health, repair history, and efficiency before recommending replacement. In many cases we can fix the issue, but sometimes replacement is the smarter long-term move.
Air Leaks or Drafts
Sometimes your furnace is running properly, but warm air isn’t staying inside. Drafts and air leaks can make you feel like your heat isn’t working even when the system is doing everything it can.
This is especially common in older Austin homes. We often recommend checking:
Window and door seals
Attic insulation levels
Drafts around outlets or baseboards
Sealing leaks and improving insulation helps the system keep your home warm without overworking.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve checked the basics and your home is still cold, the next step is calling us. Problems like failed igniters, cracked heat exchangers, damaged blowers, faulty control boards, or pressure switch failures require professional diagnosis—and we handle them every day.
At Solution Finders AC & Heating, we show up ready to get your heat restored as quickly and safely as possible. We use clear communication, honest recommendations, and efficient repairs to get Austin families comfortable again.
When the heat not working in house becomes more than a simple fix, we’re here to help. Call us anytime your system stops heating, struggles to keep up, or makes you question whether it’s safe to run. We’ll get your home warm again fast.
