Losing heat is stressful, and what you check first depends on your system. Most of Richmond Hill runs standard gas furnaces, but geothermal ground-source systems are genuinely common on Oak Ridges Moraine properties — and they don’t fail the same way.
If You’re on a Standard Furnace
- 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. Easy to bump off in a basement.
If You’re on a Geothermal System
Check the indoor heat pump unit for any visible error indicators, and note whether performance dropped gradually or stopped suddenly — gradual decline often points to the ground loop side, while a sudden stop is more likely the indoor unit or electrical. Don’t assume it’s a simple furnace-style fix; the failure points are different.
Check the Filter (Either System)
A severely clogged filter can cause any forced-air system to overheat and shut itself down as a safety measure. If it’s visibly caked with dust, replace it and see if the system restarts.
Look for an Error Code
Most modern furnaces and geothermal heat pump units display some form of fault code. Photograph or note it before you call — it tells a technician exactly what’s being reported, which speeds up the repair.
What Not to Do
Don’t take apart any unit cabinet, don’t reset the system repeatedly hoping it “catches,” and don’t attempt any gas line, refrigerant, or ground loop work yourself. These require a properly licensed and, for geothermal, specifically experienced technician.
When to Call
If the basics check out and the system still won’t run — or you smell gas at any point on a standard furnace — stop troubleshooting and call immediately. That’s true whether you’re near Mill Pond on a standard system or out toward Oak Ridges on geothermal.
Our dispatcher is available 24/7, and a technician can typically be on-site within 60 minutes.