Molly Ayala
Resetting an electric furnace is a straightforward process that can fix simple problems with your heating. It involves turning off the power to the furnace, locating and pressing the reset button, and waiting before turning the power back on. The reset button is typically red or yellow and is usually located within the blower unit. Before resetting your furnace, you should check for any underlying issues, such as a dirty air filter, and address them accordingly. If you encounter any problems or are unsure about performing the reset, it is recommended to seek assistance from a professional technician.
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What You'll Learn
Locate the reset button
To locate the reset button on your electric furnace, start by turning off the power supply to the furnace. Locate the corresponding breaker in your circuit box and turn it off.
The reset button is usually located inside the blower compartment, on the side of the blower motor. It is typically red or yellow plastic and may be marked with a large "R". If the button is popped up, press it down. Be cautious, as the housing may be hot.
If you are unable to locate the reset button, or if it is not visible, refer to the furnace's manual or contact a professional for assistance. It is important to identify the make and model of your furnace, as the location of the reset button may vary depending on these factors.
For safety, ensure that you turn off the power supply to the furnace before attempting to locate or access any internal components, including the reset button.
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Press and hold the reset button
Pressing and holding the reset button is the final step in the process of resetting an electric furnace. Before you do this, you must first turn off the power supply to the furnace by locating and turning off the corresponding breaker in your circuit box. You should then locate the reset button, which is usually found inside the blower compartment on the side of the blower motor. The button is typically red or yellow and may be marked with an 'R'. Be cautious, as the housing may be hot. If the button is popped up, press it down.
Once you have located the reset button, press and hold it for about 30 seconds. Then, raise the temperature on the thermostat to restart the furnace. It is important to note that you should not immediately turn the power back on after pressing the reset button. Instead, wait 5 to 10 minutes to allow the furnace to cool down if overheating was the issue and to give any temporary faults time to clear.
If your furnace continues to trip the reset button or you require assistance, it is recommended to contact a professional for support. Repeatedly pressing the reset button without addressing the underlying cause of the shutdowns can cause further damage to the furnace and worsen safety issues.
Overall, the reset button is a critical safety feature designed to protect your furnace from overheating or other safety issues. Knowing its location and appropriate use can help keep you safe and prevent potential issues with your furnace.
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Check for common issues
If your electric furnace is not working, there are a few common issues you can check for before resetting.
First, check if your furnace is turned on. This may sound simple, but it's easy to forget to turn it back on after a vacation or power outage. Next, check your circuit breaker. Power outages or power surges can trip the breaker, causing the furnace to shut off. If you find that the breaker has been tripped, turn it back on. If your furnace continues to trip the breaker, there may be a larger issue at play, and you should contact an HVAC specialist.
Another common issue is a blown fuse. Fuses are circuit components that protect your furnace from electrical damage. If there is an overcharge, the fuse will blow up to protect your unit. You can check your owner's manual to locate your circuit boxes and identify if a fuse has blown. If so, replace the fuse and turn on your furnace.
If your furnace is making strange noises, this could indicate something is loose within the unit. Scraping, thumping, squealing, rumbling, and banging are all warning signs. You can examine your unit for loose components and covers and tighten any screws or nuts. If your furnace has a loose or worn-out belt, it may also produce strange noises.
If your furnace is overheating, this could be caused by a faulty limit switch, a problem with the blower motor, or other internal issues. A dirty or faulty flame sensor might also be the culprit, as it may not be detecting the flame properly, causing the furnace to shut down as a safety measure.
If you are uncomfortable performing any troubleshooting steps or are unable to identify the issue, it is best to call a professional for assistance.
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Reset the thermostat
Resetting the thermostat is one of the final steps in the process of resetting an electric furnace. Once you have located and pressed the reset button on your furnace, you can reset the thermostat.
First, turn the electricity to your furnace back on. You can do this by flipping the breaker for your furnace's room, or by flipping the main breaker if you have multiple breakers. Check that electricity is flowing to every part of the room by checking the other light switches and appliances.
Next, wait 30-45 minutes. Once you have confirmed that electricity is flowing to the room, go to your thermostat and set it to your desired heat setting. The furnace should start running within a few minutes. Listen to the system kick on and verify it's blowing warm air.
If the furnace doesn't restart, rely on heating experts to examine the furnace and determine the exact issue.
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Call a professional
If you are uncomfortable performing any troubleshooting steps, it is always best to err on the side of caution and call a professional. If you need help resetting your furnace or if your furnace still isn't working properly after resetting it, don't hesitate to contact a team of furnace repair experts.
Some of the most common issues that require frequent use of the furnace reset button include overheating, flame sensor problems, faulty wiring or electrical components, and a cracked heat exchanger. Overheating can be caused by a faulty limit switch, a problem with the blower motor, or other internal issues. A dirty or faulty flame sensor might not be detecting the flame properly, causing the furnace to shut down as a safety measure. Electrical issues can cause a furnace to shut down unexpectedly, and a cracked heat exchanger is a serious safety concern that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
If your furnace requires constant resets, schedule an inspection. Simple furnace maintenance can help prevent frequent resets, such as changing filters regularly, checking thermostat settings, and scheduling annual maintenance. Replacing filters every 1-3 months helps prevent airflow issues and overheating, and regular inspections can catch small issues early, reducing the need for resets.
If your furnace keeps shutting off and needs to be reset, an underlying problem likely needs to be addressed. Repeatedly resetting the furnace without fixing the root cause can potentially damage the unit or even create a safety hazard. While an HVAC professional may be needed to resolve the issue, you can attempt furnace troubleshooting steps.
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