Easy Steps for Resetting a Furnace or Heat Pump
When the cold months approach, making sure you have a sufficient heating system is imperative for your comfort. Some homes use furnaces to generate heat whereas others use heat pumps. Both can malfunction for different reasons and often need to be reset. If you ever feel uncomfortable doing HVAC work on your home yourself, it’s always best to call an HVAC professional; however, sometimes straightforward fixes are worth the saved time. Here are some steps you can take to reset your furnace or heat pump.
Resetting Your Furnace
If your furnace is less than 20 years old, it can usually be reset simply by pressing the reset button. The location of the reset button will depend on the model of your furnace, but it can typically be found on the side of the blower motor inside the blower compartment.
Once you locate the reset button, press and hold it for 30 seconds. Then, release the button and wait for 30 seconds. Finally, press and hold the button for another 30 seconds, and check to see if the furnace has started up again.
If the furnace hasn’t restarted, it may be time to call an HVAC professional. A few possible reasons your furnace isn’t functioning include overheating, a dirty air filter or an air filter that’s blocking airflow, or a dirty flame sensor.
Resetting your Gas Furnace
If you have a gas furnace, there is a different set of steps you can take. Before attempting to restart a gas furnace yourself, it’s crucial that the pilot light is out. If it isn’t out, turn the gas control switch off, and check again to make sure it goes out before proceeding.
From there, turn the thermostat down to its lowest setting, and check to see if the furnace has an electric ignition. If it does, you’ll want to turn off the power by turning off the circuit breaker that is responsible for controlling the furnace.
Once you’ve switched off the circuit breaker, you’ll want to turn off the main gas supply to the furnace, making sure to leave the pilot gas supply line on. Then, hold a lighter or lit match in front of the pilot flame jet in order to relight the pilot.
Turn the power back on, and turn on the gas supply. Now you should be able to raise your thermostat to the desired temperature and wait for your furnace to start.
How to Reset Your Heat Pump
The first thing to do while resetting your heat pump is to try and figure out what isn’t working. If you can also deduce what caused it to malfunction. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, consulting the heat pump’s manual will often give you some good information.
Many heat pumps will come with a reset button or a system selector switch that you can use to switch to emergency heat for the time being. In some cases, however, the reset procedure is a bit more complicated. If you’re feeling ambitious and want to take matters into your own hands, here are a few things you can do to attempt to reset the heat pump yourself.
Turn Off the Thermostat
The whole problem might be the thermostat! Check to make sure you have it set to heating mode. If the thermostat seems to be in working order, turn it off to proceed to the next step.
Take Note of the Power Supply and Flick the Power Switch Off
Ensure that your heat pump has a proper power supply. If it does, turn off the power switch.
Turn Off the Circuit Breakers
At this point, you should turn off the circuit breakers on the condenser and the air handler. Then, wait about five minutes before proceeding.
Turn Everything Back on in Reverse Order
Now that all components have been turned off, turn them back on in reverse order. This means you should begin by switching the circuit breakers back on, then turning the power switch on, and then adjusting the thermostat.
Wait around 10 minutes for the condenser and air handler to power back on. Your heat pump should now start working again. If it still isn’t, it’s time to call an HVAC professional.
At Mike Bryant Heating & Cooling, we’re ready to help you make your home comfortable for whatever the season brings. We offer a full range of heating and cooling services for furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps. Our team also offers sheet metal fabrication and indoor air quality services in Olathe, Kansas, and surrounding areas. Give us a call today and let us get to work on your home!
