The purpose of the reset button on a furnace is to shut it down before it can trip your circuit breaker. The need for this may arise if the furnace becomes too hot, or if there is some sort of electrical system interruption. To get the furnace working again, you simply press the reset button back down again.
However, if you press the reset button and your furnace turns off again, continuing to press the reset button can damage your furnace. If your furnace insists on shutting off despite your pressing the reset button, then it’s time to call an HVAC professional.
Location of the Reset Button
The location of your reset button depends on the furnace make and model. If you have both central heating and central air in your home, you should be able to find your reset button on the blower motor. It’s usually painted red or yellow in an effort to stand out. You’ll know it has popped because it will be sticking up about a half-inch, as opposed to laying flush.
On some models, you may not be able to see the reset button right away due to the location of the blower motor. You may need to reach toward the bottom and back of the motor to locate the reset button. Once you find it, you will have to press it for up to 30 seconds before it will actually reset the furnace.
Resetting a Gas Furnace
If you have a gas furnace, each of the following steps can help you reset it. If after following these steps you still cannot reset the furnace, turn the unit off and call a professional.
- Check to see if your pilot light is out.
- Turn down your thermostat as low as it can go.
- Turn off the power to the furnace.
- Turn off the main gas supply to the furnace. Leave the pilot gas supply line on.
- Light a match and hold it to the pilot flame jet’s opening, which is inside the furnace. This should relight the pilot flame.
- Turn the power back on, then the main gas supply.
- Press and hold the reset button for about 30 seconds.
- Raise your thermostat to the desired temperature. This should ignite your furnace. If there’s no ignition, then it’s time to call a professional.
If you have followed these steps and tried to reset your furnace to no avail, a technician can come diagnose and treat the problem. It is important that you do not continue trying to diagnose the problem yourself if you’re not quite sure how. You might risk damaging your system, which can require repairs or, in the worst-case scenario, a complete replacement.
Causes for a Reset in an Oil Furnace
Gas furnaces aren’t the only ones to experience a reset. Oil furnaces may also reset for several reasons. Simply put, the reset button in an oil furnace trips when the furnace realizes there are no flames in the burner chamber. This is the result of some interruption in the supply of fuel to the furnace. It will automatically turn off to prevent the furnace from suffering damage.
The first thing you should do is to make sure you haven’t run out of oil. If you have, schedule an oil delivery as soon as possible and be sure to inform the oil company that your tank is completely depleted. The technician will need to prime your system before he refills the empty tank or else you risk damaging your system.
If you know you haven’t run out of oil, then there may be an obstruction in the fuel line or someone may have closed one of the valves in error. Double-check that all your valves are open before calling an HVAC professional.
How the Reset Button on a Furnace Can Trip
Furnace reset buttons may be triggered by many different situations.These can include:
- Loss of fuel: A shortage of fuel will require a refill. Check to see if the fuel loss is due to a leak.
- Blocked or closed gas valves: Checking to see if any valves have been closed accidentally could help solve the problem.
- Overheating: If a furnace isn’t receiving enough airflow, it may overheat and trigger the reset button to trip. Make sure to clean or replace the filters to keep the air vents open enough for proper airflow.
- Dirty flame sensor: The flame sensor rod may be coated with debris, causing the furnace to shut off. Wiping the flame sensor rod off regularly will keep this from happening.
- Dirty air filter: Changing or cleaning your HVAC air filter regularly (at least four times a year) will help to reduce the strain on your furnace and keep it functioning properly.
Why You Should Maintain Your Furnace
Maintaining your furnace is an essential part of keeping your home well heated and your family safe. Some reasons to make furnace maintenance part of your routine as a homeowner include:
Effectively Heat the Entire House
During the colder months, no one wants to live in a drafty house. Make sure you’re ready for winter by ensuring your furnace is working and effectively heating your whole home.
Saving Money on Energy Bills
You will save money over time by having a better working furnace that properly heats the house instead of worrying about the costs to install a replacement. Your furnace will also last longer if you replace parts as the need arises.
Upholding Your Warranty
Most furnaces warranties require you to keep up on annual maintenance. The warranty could be void if you don’t do this and you will lose out on a lot of money if something breaks.
Having Trouble with Your Furnace? Ambient Edge Can Help!
At Ambient Edge, we understand that life gets busy. Sometimes you simply forget to fill your oil tank, and while this is an easy fix, it can cause some significant damage if you don’t take the proper steps to fix the problem. If you’ve recently run out of oil and need to prime your system, we can help.
With our decades of experience in the HVAC industry, you can trust Ambient Edge to give your furnace the attention it deserves and the treatment it requires. Call us at 888-230-5160 or fill out the contact form on our website and let us help you get your furnace back in proper working order today.
