Otis Singleton
Resetting an electric furnace is a simple and straightforward way to fix simple problems with your heating. It involves turning the power to your furnace off, checking the basic elements of the furnace, and waiting a little bit before turning the power back on. The reset button is a critical safety feature that protects your furnace from overheating. It works with the furnace’s limit switch, which measures the temperature inside the furnace and air handler, where the blower fan operates. If the temperature of either the blower fan or the furnace rises above a set level, the limit switch will immediately trigger the reset button to shut down the furnace.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Resetting an electric furnace | Turn off the power supply to the furnace by turning off the breaker in the circuit box. Wait for 5 minutes. Check the air filter and replace it if it is dirty. Turn the electricity to your furnace back on and wait for 30-45 minutes. |
| Reset button | Generally red or yellow, located inside the blower compartment. Press and hold the button for about 30 seconds. |
| Reasons for reset button being tripped | Loss of fuel, blocked or closed gas valves, overheating, dirty flame sensor, dirty air filter, electrical issues, clogged fuel line, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Locate the reset button
The location of the reset button on an electric furnace depends on the furnace's make and model. If you have central heating and air conditioning, the reset button is typically located on the blower motor. It is usually painted red or yellow to make it stand out. If the button has popped up, you will need to press it down.
On some models, the reset button may be located at the bottom and back of the motor. It may be inside the blower compartment, positioned on the side of the blower motor. The housing may be hot, so be cautious when reaching for the button.
If you are unable to locate the reset button, refer to the owner's manual for your furnace.
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Turn off the power supply
Resetting your electric furnace is a simple and straightforward way to fix simple problems with your heating. It involves turning the power to your furnace off, checking the basic elements of the furnace, and waiting a little bit before turning the power back on.
To turn off the power supply to your electric furnace, you can start by flipping the light switch on the side of your furnace. Almost every furnace has an electrical component. Even gas furnaces use electricity to power the fan and motor. Look on the exterior sides of your furnace for a light switch. Flip that switch to shut down the power to the furnace's fan and motor. Some older furnaces won't have a switch. If your furnace doesn't have a switch, you can ignore this step and move on to turning off the breaker.
The next step is to turn off the breaker. Locate the furnace switch, typically found near the unit, or turn off the circuit breaker labelled "Furnace" in your electrical panel. This ensures your safety while working on the system. Wait at least five minutes before moving to the next step.
If your furnace has a pilot light, make sure it is out. If it isn't, turn the gas control switch to "off" and ensure that the pilot goes out. If your furnace has an electronic ignition, turn off the circuit breaker that controls the furnace. Turn off the main gas supply to the furnace but leave the pilot gas supply line open. In many cases, you can do this by turning the main gas control knob to "pilot" and holding in the knob.
If you need to make repairs with the panel off when the power is on, tape it down with a small piece of tape.
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Check the pilot light
To check the pilot light, start by locating the light switch on the side of your furnace and turning off the power supply to the furnace. Look on the exterior sides of your furnace for a light switch. Flip that switch to shut down the power to the furnace's fan and motor. If your furnace doesn't have a switch, skip this step and move on to turning off the breaker.
Next, open or slide off the front panel of your furnace. On the front of your furnace, there is a removable panel. With the electrical components still off, remove the panel by lifting it out of the slot or pinching the slides on the panel inward and pulling it out. Some furnaces have two removable panels on the front that you'll need to remove. To determine which panel is removable, look in the corners of each panel.
After removing the panel, locate the pilot light. The pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas in your furnace. It provides a constant source of ignition for the burner. When the burner is lit, it heats the air that flows through your furnace and into your home.
If your pilot light is out, you can relight it by holding a lit match to the pilot flame jet's opening, which is inside the furnace. Ensure your furnace is getting the airflow it needs, then relight the pilot light and check to be sure it stays lit. If the pilot light won't stay lit, your furnace's intake valve may be clogged, preventing it from getting the gas needed to keep the pilot light burning. Clean out any debris that may be blocking the intake valve, then relight the pilot light and check again.
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Press the reset button
Pressing the reset button on your electric furnace is a simple and straightforward way to fix simple problems with your heating. It is a safety feature that will shut down the furnace when a problem is detected, such as a hot or overheating furnace, before it trips the circuit breaker. The reset button is generally red or yellow and is located inside the blower compartment.
To reset your electric furnace, start by shutting off your furnace's electrical components. Look on the exterior sides of your furnace for a light switch and turn off the power to the furnace's fan and motor. If your furnace is really old and doesn't have a switch, simply ignore this step and move on to turning off the breaker. Next, turn off the breaker by flipping the switch on your fuse box. Go to your building's fuse box and find the room where your furnace is installed.
Once you've confirmed that the electricity in the room is working, flip the switch for the power on your furnace and wait 30-45 seconds for it to turn on. You should hear the motor and the fan kicking on in under a minute. If your furnace doesn't turn on, check the thermostat to ensure that it is getting accurate information from the control.
Now, locate the reset button on your furnace. On some models, you may need to reach towards the bottom and back of the blower motor to find it. Press and hold the reset button for about 30 seconds. If the button is popped up, press it down. Return the cover to the blower compartment and turn the power on. Raise your thermostat to the desired temperature. This should ignite your furnace.
If there is no ignition, do not continue pressing the reset button as this can damage your furnace. Instead, call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and diagnose the problem.
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Turn the power back on
Once you've located the reset button, the next step is to turn the power back on.
If your furnace has a power switch, turn it on. If not, turn on the circuit breaker controlling the furnace. If you turned off the main power, turn that on instead. If you've flipped the main breaker, ignore the room-specific breakers and just flip the main one.
After turning the power back on, wait 30-45 minutes. You should hear the motor and fan kick on within a minute. Older furnaces may take longer to start. If nothing happens, check your thermostat to ensure your furnace is getting accurate information from the control.
If your furnace doesn't start, it's time to call a professional. Frequent tripping of the reset button often indicates a more serious problem that may require replacement. If your furnace is older and frequently trips, it may be a sign that it's struggling to operate efficiently and has undergone significant wear and tear.
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Frequently asked questions
Resetting your electric furnace involves turning off the power to the furnace, waiting for the electrical components to shut down, checking the basic elements of the furnace, and then turning the power back on.
The reset button is typically located inside the blower compartment, on the side of the blower motor. It is usually painted red or yellow to make it easier to spot.
The reset button is a safety feature that will shut down the furnace when a problem is detected, such as overheating or electrical issues, before it trips the circuit breaker.
There could be several reasons why your electric furnace keeps tripping the reset button, including a dirty air filter, a blocked fuel line, a closed gas valve, or a malfunctioning flame sensor.
If your electric furnace won't stay on after resetting it, it is recommended to call a professional HVAC technician or furnace repair expert to inspect the furnace and diagnose the issue.
