Nothing’s worse than crawling into bed, cozy under your blankets, only to realize your furnace has decided tonight’s a great night to quit. If you’re in Indiana, you know a cold snap can hit fast, and a cold house can go from mildly annoying to full-blown panic in minutes.

Before you panic (or wrap yourself in every blanket you own), there are a few quick things you can check at home. These troubleshooting tips can save you time, frustration, and maybe even a frozen toe or two.

1. Check the Thermostat (The Obvious First Step)

Sometimes the problem isn’t your furnace, it’s the thermostat.

• Make sure it’s set to “Heat” (not “Cool” or “Off”).
• Check that the temperature is set higher than the current room temperature.
• If your thermostat uses batteries, swap them out, it’s easy to forget, and dead batteries can keep your furnace from firing up.
• Look for error codes on your thermostat and write them down. If you need to call Godby, knowing the code can help our technicians diagnose the issue faster and get your home warm sooner.

Tip: If it’s a smart thermostat, make sure it’s still connected to Wi-Fi. Nothing fancy about a Wi-Fi furnace when the app can’t talk to it.

2. Check the Power (Yes, Really)

Your furnace is an electrical system. If the circuit breaker tripped, it’s as dead as your Wi-Fi during a thunderstorm.

• Locate the furnace’s breaker in your electrical panel. Flip it off, then back on.
• Make sure the switch on your furnace itself is in the “On” position. Sometimes the switch near the unit gets flipped off during cleaning, maintenance, or by accident.

Sometimes the “problem” is as simple as a switch being off or a breaker tripping, and suddenly your house is warm again without a technician visit.

3. Inspect the Air Filter

A clogged filter can starve your furnace of airflow, causing it to overheat and shut down, or just not turn on at all.

• If it looks grimy, swap it out for a fresh one.
• Aim to check your filter every 1–3 months, especially during the heating season.

Think of it as feeding your furnace the clean air it craves, it’ll reward you with toasty rooms instead of cold shoulders.

4. Check the Vents

• Make sure all supply and return vents are open and unobstructed.
• Furniture, rugs, or curtains blocking airflow can make your furnace work harder or fail to distribute heat.

You’d be surprised how often a simple vent adjustment can save the day.

5. When to Call a Pro

If you’ve gone through these steps and your furnace is still refusing to cooperate, it’s time to call a licensed technician.

• Strange noises (bangs, clanks, rattles)
• Furnace turning on and off repeatedly
• Gas smell 
• Ignition problems or error codes you don’t understand

At Godby Heating Plumbing Electrical, we’re ready for Indiana’s coldest nights, and we promise to show up fast, figure it out, and get your home warm again.

Stay Warm, Stay Calm

Nothing ruins a night like a cold house, but a little troubleshooting can save the day. And if all else fails, remember: big enough to do it right, small enough to care, that’s why calling Godby is always a smart move.

Your furnace may have quit on you tonight, but we won’t.