Furnace Repair Checklist
1. Check the Thermostat
To begin, ensure your thermostat is telling your heater to ignite.
Digital Thermostat
- Replace the batteries if the monitor is empty. If the digital monitor is jumbled, the thermostat may need to be changed.
- Make certain that the switch is on “heat” rather than “off” or “cool.”
- Ensure the program is showing the appropriate day and time and is scheduled to “run.” If you’re having trouble overriding the program, adjust the temperature by using the up/down arrows and pressing the “hold” button. This will cause the furnace to ignite if thermostat is causing trouble.
- Turn the temperature setting to 5 degrees warmer than the temperature of the room.
If your heating hasn’t turned on within a couple minutes, ensure it has electricity by changing the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the fan doesn’t operate, your heater may not have power.
Smart Thermostat
If you use a smart thermostat—like one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch—troubleshooting will depend on your model. Refer to the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you aren’t able to get your Wi-Fi thermostat to function, call us at 918-212-8943 for heating and cooling service.
2. Examine Breakers and Switches
Next, verify your breaker and furnace switch are on.
- Look for your main electrical panel. If you don’t know where it is, look for a gray metal box in your basement, garage or closet.
- Ensure your hands and feet aren’t wet in advance of opening the panel or breakers.
- Locate the breaker labeled “furnace” or “heat,” and double-check it’s turned “on.” If the breaker has tripped, it will be in the middle or “off” spot.
- With one hand, quickly turn the breaker to the “on” position. If the breaker trips right away and pops back to “off,” don't try to reset it and contact an expert from Air Service Co. at 918-212-8943 quickly.
Regardless of your furnace’s age or brand, it has no less than one standard wall switch set on or close to it.
- Make certain the switch is facing up in the “on” placement. If it was turned off, anticipate your furnace could take up to five minutes to ignite. (If you’re unsure where to find your furnace, check your basement, garage or utility closet. It can also be in a crawl space or attic.)
3. Buy a New Air Filter
When we consider furnace problems, a filthy, full air filter is often the top culprit.
If your filter is too dirty:
- Your furnace won’t be able to stay on, or it might overheat from limited airflow.
- Your utility bills may increase because your heating system is working more often.
- Your heating system may stop working prematurely due to the fact a filthy filter forces it to work harder.
- Your furnace might be disconnected from power if an excessively filthy filter is the cause of a tripped breaker.
Depending on what model of heater you own, your air filter can be found inside the blower compartment of your heating system, an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
To replace your filter:
- Switch off your furnace.
- Remove the filter and hold it up to the light. If you can’t notice light through it, replace it.
- Install the new filter with the arrow motioning toward the furnace to prevent damage.
Flat filters need to be replaced every month, while pleated filters should last about three months. If you have children or pets, you might have to put in a new filter more often.
To make changing your filter easier down the line, draw with a permanent marker on your heating system housing or ductwork to indicate the airflow direction and filter size.
4. Look at the Condensate Pan
Otherwise known as drain pans, condensate pans hold water your heating system pulls from the air.
If moisture is seeping from within your furnace or its pan has too much water in it, try these steps.
- If your pan includes a drain (look for a PVC pipe), double-check that it isn’t full. If it requires draining, use a special pan-cleaning tablet you can purchase at home improvement or hardware shops.
- If your pan uses a pump, take a look at the float switch. If the lever is stuck “up” with standing water in the pan, reach us at 918-212-8943, because you will likely have to buy a new pump.
5. Check for Heating Error Codes
If failures persist, look at your heating system’s plastic window to confirm the blower motor’s status. Depending on the model, the light could also be attached on the surface of your furnace.
If you notice anything except an uninterrupted, colored light or blinking green light, call us at 918-212-8943 for HVAC service. Your heating system could be giving an error code that requires pro help.
6. Brush off the Flame Sensor
If your heater tries to operate but switches off without blowing warmth, a grimy flame sensor might be to blame. When this occurs, your furnace will attempt to start three times before a safety device powers it down for around an hour.
If you feel confident with removing the panels from your furnace, cleaning your flame sensor is a task you can do yourself. Or, one of our heating service experts has the ability to complete it for you.
If you are confident cleaning the sensor yourself, you should have:
- A 1/4” hex screwdriver or wrench
- Piece of light grit sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth
- A dry, clean paper towel
Next:
- Turn off the heater’s power with its wall switch or breaker. If you don’t have an electric gas valve, you have to switch off the gas along with it.
- Remove the furnace’s front panel and track the wire to the flame sensor.
- Remove the rod and use your sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth to carefully clean the metal rod.
- Wipe off the rod with a paper towel.
- Put the sensor back in.
- Replace the furnace doors.
- Switch the furnace’s power back on. It might go through a set of checks before resuming normal running. If your heater doesn’t ignite, the sensor might require replacement or something else might be creating an issue. If this happens, call us at 918-212-8943 for heating and cooling repair help.
7. Light the Pilot Light
If you own an older furnace, the pilot light could be turned off. To light it, look for the guide on a label on your furnace, or use these steps.
- Look for the toggle beneath your heater labeled “pilot,” “on” and “off.”
- Move the switch to the “off” position.
- Don’t do anything for at least five minutes to avoid starting a fire.
- Push the switch to “pilot.”
- Press the “reset” lever as you bring the flame of a long lighter to the pilot light opening.
- Let go of the “reset” switch once the pilot light is burning.
If you have used the guide twice and the pilot light still won’t light or remain burning, get in touch with us at 918-212-8943 for furnace service.
Double-Check Your Fuel Supply
Try turning on a second gas appliance. If it doesn’t function, your natural gas source could be shut off, or you may have run out of propane.