Restarting a Furnace: How to Do It

Every once in a while, your gas furnace may need the most universal fix of all – turning the system off and then back on. Fortunately, resetting a furnace is a simple procedure that can resolve a number of issues with your unit.

When faced with problems with your gas furnace, you should always try restarting the unit first to see if the system goes back to normal. If not, troubleshooting your furnace yourself or reaching out to dependable Temecula heating services would be the best course of action.

Read on to learn how to reset your gas furnace!

How do you restart a gas furnace?

How you go about restarting a gas furnace will primarily depend on its age. This is because older gas furnaces relied on a constantly lit pilot light to light the burners if they went out while newer models have a much safer electronic igniter.

Either way, restarting a furnace is a relatively simple task that takes no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Follow these steps to reset your gas furnace:

• Turn the circuit breaker off and switch the furnace power button off too. Never touch the breaker with wet hands and use only one hand to do it.
• Access the pilot light by removing the access panel. For some models, the panel may have to be lifted and removed.
• Turn the gas control valve off and let the gas dissipate for five minutes before turning it back on in order to prevent a fire hazard.
• Turn the gas back on quickly, not letting it build up for longer than a couple of moments. If you get interrupted, turn the gas off again and repeat the process.
• If you have a newer furnace, skip this step. For old furnaces, reignite the pilot light using a barbecue lighter. If the pilot light doesn’t stay lit, try igniting it again. If the light still won’t stay lit, reach out to experienced heating technicians for help.
• Return to the breaker panel and flip the circuit breaker on.
• Turn the furnace back on using the power switch. Wait a couple of minutes to see if everything is in order. If so, replace the access panel. If the furnace doesn’t restart, rely on heating experts to examine the furnace and determine the exact issue.

How do you reset a furnace after a power outage?

Furnace doesn’t work after a power outage? If that’s the case, don’t go for the reset button just yet. Here’s what you should do instead:

• Check the thermostat to see if it went out. If the power is off, turn the thermostat on and set it to the automatic fan setting or heat. If the thermostat is on, reset it.
• Check the breakers since they may have tripped during the outage. If so, flip them off and then back on.
• Check the GFI outlets. Most newer furnaces are connected to GFI outlets that may trip in case of an outage. Examine and reset them if they have.
• Mind the safety lock. When resetting your furnace, make sure to press the button only once to avoid engaging the safety lock.
• Reach out to professionals. In most cases, the safest course of action is to contact your go-to HVAC company if your furnace doesn’t work after a power outage.

Where is the reset button on a furnace?

The location of the reset button will depend on the type and model of your furnace. If you use both central heating and cooling, you should look for the button near the blower motor. Typically, the reset button would be yellow or red, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to spot. The button will pop out if your furnace gets too hot or experiences an electrical interruption.

If you need to reset your furnace, press the button for 30 seconds only once. Pressing the button several times will engage the safety lock and may even damage the unit.

Depend on the finest Temecula heating services

Although some issues with your furnace might be easily fixable, such as a tripped circuit breaker, trying to resolve the problem yourself can be dangerous if you’re not careful. That is why it’s best to leave the task to experienced HVAC technicians who will inspect your furnace and fix the issue efficiently and expertly. What’s more, they can advise you on how to choose the best furnace and what the pros and cons of different heating systems are.

Want to be free to explore the Temecula Valley instead of worrying about your furnace? Reach out to Action AC and have the finest heating professionals in the area take care of the issue with matchless skill. Give us a call today!