How do I Reset My Furnace?

Even though our area is famous for sunny days and warm weather, it gets cold enough to need a furnace as part of your HVAC system. When your heater fails, you need to get things warm again quickly without having to call in a pro.

Our company, specializing in AC repair in Las Vegas, NV, wants you to know the best approach if you’re facing the question, “How do I reset my furnace?” There is a reset button on your furnace, but there are a few steps to take beforehand.

Resetting Your Gas or Electric Furnace

Even if your furnace uses gas or propane for fuel, it has some electrical components. This means that preventing electrocution is your top priority. Start by adjusting your thermostat to its lowest setting, then follow these steps to do a furnace reset:

Turn Off the Power Using the Furnace Switch

Look around the furnace unit for a light switch. The furnace fan and motor use electricity to blow warm air, so start by flipping this switch off, then wait at least five minutes before moving on with your furnace reset.

If your system is very old and doesn’t have a switch, skip to the next step.

Turn Off the Furnace’s Fuse Breaker

Look inside your main electrical service panel and locate all the fuses that power the room where your furnace is located. You need to interrupt all the power going to that area so all electrical processes stop. If you aren’t sure which breakers you should flip, just turn them all off to be safe. 

If your furnace uses gas or propane, you must also shut off the gas supply line but keep the pilot light line open. If you aren’t comfortable with electrical or gas tasks, contact a qualified heating repair technician. They can handle the job for you.

Open Your Furnace’s Front Panel

Next, return to your furnace and slide the front panel off so you can access the interior. You can identify the panel by looking for the manufacturer’s brand name or company logo. Lift it out of its slot or pinch the sides and remove it, depending on how your model works. 

Check the Furnace Air Filter

There are multiple reasons your furnace may have switched off and need a reset. While the power is off and the front panel is removed, it’s smart to look around and see if you can spot any obvious signs of trouble.

Check whether the furnace’s air filter is clogged or dirty. If needed, clean or replace the filter.

Check the Pilot Light on a Gas Furnace

If you’ve got a gas or propane-fueled furnace, the pilot light may have gone out. If there’s no flame, the flame sensor will not allow gas into your home, which could lead to illness or death.

If you suspect a gas leak in your residence, be sure to call 911 and then contact Nevada Energy.

Because you’ve already turned off the gas supply line, you can safely relight the pilot light with a match, lighter, or other small flame. 

Locate and Press the Furnace Reset Button

Look for the button to reset your furnace. It’s usually located near the control panel or burner on your unit, or it may be in the blower compartment. Press and hold this button for at least 30 seconds. 

Turn the Power Back On and Restart Your Furnace

Once you’ve completed all these steps, put the front panel back on your furnace unit and go back to your electrical panel to flip the breakers back on.

If you’re using gas, you should also turn the main gas supply back on. Finally, return to the furnace and flip the furnace switch to the on position.

Set your thermostat to the desired temperature and listen for the furnace to turn on. If it doesn’t, you may need to call a professional to assess your system and determine why resetting your furnace didn’t fix the issue.

Trust a company that offers 24/7 emergency heating and air conditioning emergency services so you never have to wait to get warm.

Why You Might Need to Reset Your Furnace

If you’re wondering what a furnace’s reset button does, it prevents an overload that could trip the breaker in your home. Any number of things could cause the furnace to turn off, so your first step is to reset it so you can figure out what happened.  

Some of the most common reasons you need to perform this action include:

• Your furnace overheated: Because a gas or electric furnace needs to get hot to warm your home, there’s a risk of causing a fire. To prevent this, your furnace has a safety shut-off feature, and performing a reset can get your system working once it’s cooled down.
• Your electric furnace doesn’t have power: If you’ve had a blackout or power failure, try resetting your furnace to get it started again. 
• You are out of fuel: If you use a propane container to supply your furnace, your heater can’t run if the container is empty. You’ll need to get it refilled and then reset your system. 
• Your gas valve is closed: Whether you use propane or natural gas, the valve that allows the gas to flow could get blocked. If so, clear the way and ensure the valve is open before trying a furnace reset.
• Your flame sensor isn’t working: Gas and propane furnaces have a flame sensor to determine whether it’s safe to allow natural gas to flow into the system. If the sensor is dirty or malfunctioning, your furnace will shut off to prevent gas from leaking into your home. 

While gas-fueled furnaces are common in our area, it’s important to review Nevada Energy’s natural gas and propane safety tips to prevent dangerous leaks.

If you suspect a gas leak in or around your home, shut off your furnace and call 911 to report the situation. Next, call a trusted heating and cooling repair company to address the problem.

Trust Ambient Edge When You Need Furnace Repair

Unexpected problems and repairs – that’s what may happen when your heating furnace is not used for 3-4 months. Instead of worrying about what to do or how to reset your furnace, schedule an appointment with a qualified and trained technician with Ambient Edge.

We do the job with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so call us today.