Furnace Repair Checklist
1. Inspect the Thermostat
To begin, ensure your thermostat is signaling your heater to ignite.
Digital Thermostat
- Swap out the batteries if the monitor is empty. If the digital display is messed up, the thermostat could need to be swapped out.
- Ensure the switch is on “heat” instead of “off” or “cool.”
- Ensure the program is set to the right day and time and is set to “run.” If you’re having trouble overriding the program, set the temperature with the up/down arrows and holding the “hold” button. This will cause the furnace to start if thermostat is causing trouble.
- Turn the temperature setting to 5 degrees above the room temperature.
If your heat hasn’t started within several minutes, make certain that it has juice by switching the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the fan doesn’t begin to run, your heater might not have power.
Smart Thermostat
If you have a smart thermostat—for example one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch—troubleshooting will depend on your model. Check the manufacturer’s website for support. If you aren’t able to get your Wi-Fi thermostat to operate, reach us at 937-558-9478 for heating and cooling service.
2. Check Breakers and Switches
Next, confirm your breaker and furnace switch are on.
- Find your main electrical panel. If you don’t know where it is, keep an eye out for a gray metal box in your basement, garage or closet.
- Make sure your hands and feet are dry before using the panel or breakers.
- Look for the breaker titled “furnace” or “heat,” and double-check it’s moved to “on.” If the breaker has tripped, it will be in the middle or “off” area.
- Moving 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 call a professional from Edington Heating & Cooling Inc at 937-558-9478 quickly.
Regardless of your furnace’s age or brand, it has at least one ordinary wall switch located on or by it.
- Make sure the control is flipped up in the “on” position. If it was turned off, anticipate your furnace could take up to five minutes to start. (If you don’t know where your furnace is located, take a look at your basement, garage or utility closet. It might also be in a crawl space or attic.)
3. Buy a New Air Filter
When we think about heater issues, a grungy, full air filter is frequently the top offender.
If your filter is too dusty:
- Your heating system won’t keep heating your home, or it might get too warm from reduced airflow.
- Your heating expenses might be higher because your heater is operating more often.
- Your heat may fail prematurely because a dusty filter causes it to overwork.
- Your heating system might be cut off from power if an excessively filthy filter causes the breaker to trip.
Depending on what model of heater you have, your air filter can be found inside the blower compartment of your heater, an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
To swap out your filter:
- Turn off your heater.
- Pull out the filter and angle it toward the light. If you can’t view light through it, use a new one.
- Insert the new filter with the arrow pointing toward the furnace to prevent damage.
Flat filters need to be replaced monthly, while pleated filters should last about three months. If you have children or pets, you may have to replace your filter more frequently.
To make the process smoother down the road, draw with a permanent writing tool on your heating system exterior or ductwork to list the airflow direction and filter size.
4. Examine the Condensate Pan
Commonly known as drain pans, condensate pans hold moisture your heater draws from the air.
If moisture is seeping from within your heater or its pan is overflowing, try these recommendations.
- If your pan includes a drain (look for a PVC pipe), make sure that it isn’t full. If it needs to be drained, get a special pan-cleaning tablet you can get at home improvement or hardware shops.
- If your pan has a pump, take a look at the float switch. If the lever is jammed “up” with standing water in the pan, reach us at 937-558-9478, because you will probably have to get a new pump.
5. Check for Heater Error Codes
If failures keep on happening, look within your heater’s plastic window to check the blower motor’s status. Subject to the type, the light could also be mounted on the surface of your heating system.
If you see anything other than an uninterrupted, colored light or flickering green light, call us at 937-558-9478 for HVAC service. Your furnace may be communicating an error code that requires specialized service.
6. Clean the Flame Sensor
If your furnace makes an effort to operate but turns off without distributing heated air, a grimy flame sensor could be responsible. When this takes place, your furnace will try to start three times before a safety device turns it off for around an hour.
If you feel okay with removing the panels from your heater, brushing off your flame sensor is something you have the ability to do yourself. Or, one of our heating service experts can complete it for you.
If you are confident cleaning the sensor personally, you require:
- A 1/4” hex screwdriver or wrench
- Portion of light grit sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth
- A dry, clean paper towel
As the next step:
- Shut off the furnace’s power with its wall switch or breaker. If you don’t have an electric gas valve, you must shut off the gas along with it.
- Remove the furnace’s front panel and follow the wire to the flame sensor.
- Unscrew the rod and use your sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth to gently rub the metal rod.
- Wipe off the rod with a paper towel.
- Put the sensor back in.
- Put the furnace doors back on.
- Restore power to the furnace. It may proceed through a set of examinations before resuming usual running. If your furnace doesn’t start, the sensor might need to be replaced or something else could be wrong. If this occurs, get in touch with us at 937-558-9478 for heating and cooling repair support.
7. Reignite the Pilot Light
If you own an outdated heating system, the pilot light could be extinguished. To relight it, look for the steps on a label on your furnace, or follow these steps.
- Locate the toggle on the bottom of your heater marked “pilot,” “on” and “off.”
- Move the switch to the “off” position.
- Wait at least five minutes to prevent starting a fire.
- Push the dial to “pilot.”
- Hold down the “reset” switch as you move the flame of a long lighter to the pilot light opening.
- Depress the “reset” switch once the pilot light is burning.
If you have tried the list twice and the pilot light still won’t light or keep lit, call us at 937-558-9478 for furnace service.
Double-Check Your Fuel Delivery System
Try switching on another gas appliance. If it doesn’t work, your natural gas source may be shut off, or you could be out of propane.