Furnace Repair Checklist
1. Check the Thermostat
To start, make certain that your thermostat is telling your heater to ignite.
Digital Thermostat
- Swap out the batteries if the monitor is empty. If the digital display is mixed up, the thermostat may need to be swapped out.
- Make certain that the control is set to “heat” rather than “off” or “cool.”
- Make sure the program is set to the correct day and time and is programmed to “run.” If you’re having problems getting out of the setting, regulate the temperature with the up/down arrows and holding the “hold” button. This will cause the furnace to ignite if thermostat is causing trouble.
- Set the temperature setting to 5 degrees warmer than the temperature of the room.
If your furnace hasn’t turned on within several minutes, ensure it has power by toggling the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the fan doesn’t operate, your heater may not have power.
Smart Thermostat
If you utilize a smart thermostat—for example one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch—troubleshooting will be determined by the model you have. Take a look at the manufacturer’s website for help. If you still can’t get your Wi-Fi thermostat to work, contact us at 714-855-1717 for heating and cooling service.
2. Examine Breakers and Switches
Next, confirm your breaker and furnace switch are on.
- Look for your main electrical panel. If you have no idea where it is, look for a silver metal box in your basement, garage or closet.
- Ensure your hands and feet aren’t moist in advance of opening the panel or breakers.
- Locate the breaker labeled “furnace” or “heat,” and make sure it’s turned “on.” If you discover a tripped breaker, it will be in the middle or “off” spot.
- Moving one hand, steadily turn the breaker to the “on” position. If the breaker immediately trips and pops back to “off,” don't try to reset it and contact a professional from Eco Fresh HVAC Inc. at 714-855-1717 quickly.
It doesn’t matter how old your furnace is or what brand it is, it has at minimum one regular wall switch positioned on or near it.
- Make sure the lever is moved up in the “on” position. If it was turned off, anticipate your furnace could take up to five minutes to turn on. (If you’re unsure where to locate your furnace, look in your basement, garage or utility closet. It may also be in a crawl space or attic.)
3. Get a New Air Filter
When it comes to heater issues, a grungy, full air filter is often the top offender.
If your filter is too dusty:
- Your heating system won’t keep heating your home, or it could get too warm from reduced airflow.
- Your gas bills might increase because your heat is running more than it should.
- Your heater may fail sooner than it should due to the fact a dusty filter forces it to work harder.
- Your heater may lose power if an extremely filthy filter results in a tripped breaker.
While it depends on what type of furnace you have, your air filter will be in the interior of the blower compartment of your furnace, an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
To put in a new filter:
- Cut the power to your heater.
- Pull out the filter and angle it toward the light. If you can’t see light through it, get a new one.
- Put in the new filter with the arrow motioning toward the heater to keep damage from happening.
Flat filters should be replaced monthly, while pleated filters should last about three months. If you have children or pets, you may have to put in a new filter more frequently.
To make the procedure go more quickly down the line, use a permanent writing tool on your furnace housing or ductwork to list the airflow direction and filter size.
4. Check the Condensate Pan
Commonly known as drain pans, condensate pans capture moisture your furnace pulls from the air.
If liquid is leaking from within your heater or its pan has too much water in it, try these steps.
- If your pan contains a drain (look for a PVC pipe), make sure that it’s clear. If it should be drained, use a special pan-cleaning tablet you can buy at home improvement or hardware retailers.
- If your pan has a pump, inspect the float switch. If the button can’t be moved from the “up” position with water in the pan, call us at 714-855-1717, because you will possibly have to buy a new pump.
5. Watch for Heating Error Codes
If malfunctions keep on happening, look at your heating system’s plastic window to confirm the blower motor’s status. Subject to the model, the light might also be fixed on the surface of your heating system.
If you note anything other than an uninterrupted, colored light or blinking green light, reach us at 714-855-1717 for HVAC service. Your heating system might be communicating an error code that requires pro service.
6. Scrub the Flame Sensor
If your furnace attempts to start but switches off without putting out heated air, a grimy flame sensor could be at fault. When this occurs, your furnace will make an attempt to start three times before a safety feature powers it down for about an hour.
If you feel confident with taking the panels off your heater, gently scrubbing your flame sensor is a task you can do yourself. Or, one of our heating service professionals has the ability to complete it for you.
If you are confident cleaning the sensor on your own, you require:
- A 1/4” hex screwdriver or wrench
- Piece of light grit sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth
- A dry, clean paper towel
As the next step:
- Shut off the heating system’s power by using its wall switch or breaker. If your gas valve isn’t electric, you will need to turn off the gas along with it.
- Lift off the heater’s front panel and track the wire to the flame sensor.
- Take off the rod and use your sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth to gently scrub the metal rod.
- Clean the rod with a paper towel.
- Screw the sensor back in.
- Replace the furnace doors.
- Restore power to the furnace. It could run through a sequence of inspections before continuing regular operation. If your furnace doesn’t turn on, the sensor might require replacement or something else may be causing a problem. If this occurs, call us at 714-855-1717 for heating and cooling repair help.
7. Light the Pilot Light
If you own an outdated heating system, the pilot light could be out. To reignite it, look for the directions on a sheet on your furnace, or use these guidelines.
- Locate the lever on the bottom of your heater marked “pilot,” “on” and “off.”
- Push the switch to the “off” position.
- Don’t do anything for at least five minutes to limit the possibility for sparking a fire.
- Move the switch to “pilot.”
- Press the “reset” switch as you bring the flame of a long lighter to the pilot light opening.
- Release the “reset” button once the pilot light is ignited.
If you have gone through the instructions twice and the pilot light still won’t light or stay lit, call us at 714-855-1717 for furnace service.
Double-Check Your Gas Delivery System
Try using another gas appliance. If it doesn’t function, your natural gas delivery might be turned off, or you could be out of propane.