Losing heat is stressful, and what you check first depends partly on what’s actually fueling your furnace. Most of Newmarket and Aurora run on natural gas, but a lot of rural King Township properties run on oil or propane instead — and that changes the first thing worth checking.
If You’re on Oil or Propane
Before anything else: check the tank gauge. An empty oil tank or a propane tank that’s run dry is the single most common “no heat” call we get from rural King Township properties, and it’s often mistaken for a furnace failure when it’s simply a delivery that’s overdue. If the tank reads empty, that’s a fuel delivery issue, not a repair.
Check the Basics First (Any Fuel Type)
- Thermostat — is it set to Heat, and is the target temperature above the current room reading? Check batteries if it’s battery-powered.
- Breaker panel — has a breaker tripped for the furnace circuit?
- Furnace switch — many furnaces have a wall switch near the unit that looks like an ordinary light switch. It’s easy to bump this off during basement storage.
Check the Filter
A severely clogged filter can cause a furnace to overheat and shut itself down as a safety measure, regardless of fuel type. If it’s visibly caked with dust, replace it and see if the system restarts after a few minutes.
Look for an Error Code
Most modern furnaces — gas, oil, or propane — have a small window showing a blinking light code. Photograph the pattern before you call; it tells a technician exactly what fault the system is reporting, which speeds up the repair.
What Not to Do
Don’t take apart the furnace cabinet, don’t reset the system repeatedly hoping it “catches,” and don’t attempt any fuel line or ignition work yourself. Oil and propane systems in particular should only be serviced by a properly licensed technician — the safety margin for error is smaller than with electric components.
When to Call
If the tank isn’t empty (or you’re on gas), you’ve worked through the basics, and the furnace still won’t run — or you smell fuel at any point — stop troubleshooting and call immediately. A York Region winter isn’t something to sit out overnight, especially further out toward King where the cold hits harder than closer to the city.
Our dispatcher is available 24/7, and a technician can typically be on-site within 60 minutes, whether you’re on gas in Newmarket or oil/propane out in King.