Furnace Repair Checklist
1. Check the Thermostat
To begin, make certain that your thermostat is telling your furnace to turn on.
Digital Thermostat
- Replace the batteries if the monitor is not displaying anything. If the digital display is messed up, the thermostat may need to be changed.
- Make sure the button is switched to “heat” instead of “off” or “cool.”
- Ensure the program is displaying the appropriate day and time and is scheduled to “run.” If you’re having trouble turning off the schedule, set the temperature by utilizing the up/down arrows and pressing the “hold” button. This will cause the furnace to turn on if thermostat is causing an issue.
- Increase the temperature setting to 5 degrees warmer than the temperature of the room.
If your furnace hasn’t kicked on within a couple minutes, ensure it has electricity by toggling the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the fan doesn’t start, your furnace may not have power.
Smart Thermostat
If you use a smart thermostat—such as one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch—troubleshooting will depend on your model. Refer to the manufacturer’s website for support. If you aren’t able to get your Wi-Fi thermostat to work, contact us at 715-301-0256 for heating and cooling service.
2. Inspect Breakers and Switches
Next, verify your breaker and furnace switch are on.
- Locate your main electrical panel. If you don’t know where it is, search for a gray metal box in your basement, garage or closet.
- Make sure your hands and feet aren’t moist in advance of using the panel or breakers.
- Look for the breaker labeled “furnace” or “heat,” and make sure it’s reading “on.” If you find that the breaker tripped, it will be in the middle or “off” spot.
- Using one hand, firmly turn the breaker to the “on” position. If the breaker immediately trips and pops back to “off,” don't try to reset it and call an expert from Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc at 715-301-0256 immediately.
Regardless of your furnace’s age or brand, it has at least one standard wall switch set on or near it.
- Make certain the control is flipped up in the “on” position. If it was switched off, expect your furnace to take up to five minutes to turn on. (If you don’t know where your furnace is located, check your basement, garage or utility closet. It may also be in a crawl space or attic.)
3. Replace the Air Filter
When we think about heating breakdowns, a filthy, blocked air filter is often the top offender.
If your filter is too dirty:
- Your heating system won’t be able to stay on, or it may get too warm from restricted airflow.
- Your gas costs may go up because your furnace is turning on more than it should.
- Your heating system might break down sooner than it should due to the fact a dusty filter triggers it to overwork.
- Your furnace might lose power if an excessively filthy filter causes the breaker to trip.
While it depends on what type of furnace you have, your air filter is located inside the blower compartment of your heater, an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
To swap out your filter:
- Cut the power to your furnace.
- Pull out the filter and angle it toward the light. If you can’t notice light through it, replace it.
- Install the new filter with the arrow facing toward the heating system to avoid damage.
Flat filters ought to be replaced once a month, while pleated filters should last about three months. If you have children or pets, you could have to replace your filter more frequently.
To make the procedure go more quickly in the future, draw with a permanent writing tool on your heating system outside or ductwork to list the airflow direction and filter size.
4. Check the Condensate Pan
Otherwise known as drain pans, condensate pans capture moisture your heating system removes from the air.
If liquid is leaking from within your heating system or its pan is overflowing, use these steps.
- If your pan contains a drain (look for a PVC pipe), double-check that it’s clear. If it needs to be drained, drop in a special pan-cleaning tablet you can buy at home improvement or hardware stores.
- If your pan uses a pump, inspect the float switch. If the button is jammed “up” with liquid in the pan, call us at 715-301-0256, because you will probably have to get a new pump.
5. Check for Furnace Error Codes
If faults keep on happening, take a look at your furnace’s plastic window to verify the blower motor’s status. Subject to the type, the light might also be attached on the surface of your heating system.
If you note anything other than an uninterrupted, colored light or flickering green light, call us at 715-301-0256 for HVAC service. Your heater might be giving an error code that needs expert assistance.
6. Brush off the Flame Sensor
If your furnace tries to start but shuts off without blowing warm air, a filthy flame sensor could be to blame. When this happens, your heater will attempt to turn on three times before a safety feature shuts it down for approximately an hour.
If you feel comfortable with taking the panels off your heater, cleaning your flame sensor is something you have the ability to do personally. Or, one of our heating service specialists can do it for you.
If you are fine with cleaning the sensor personally, you need:
- 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:
- Turn off the heating system’s power with its wall switch or breaker. If you don’t have an electric gas valve, you have to shut off the gas along with it.
- Lift off the furnace’s front panel and trace the wire to the flame sensor.
- Remove the rod and use your sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth to carefully scrub the metal rod.
- Wipe off the rod with a paper towel.
- Put the sensor back in.
- Replace the furnace doors.
- Restore power to the furnace. It could go through a sequence of inspections before proceeding with usual heating. If your heating system doesn’t ignite, the sensor might have to be replaced or something else may be causing a problem. If this takes place, get in touch with us at 715-301-0256 for heating and cooling repair support.
7. Reignite the Pilot Light
If you are using an older furnace, the pilot light could be extinguished. To reignite it, locate the instructions on a sticker on your heating system, or follow these recommendations.
- Look for the toggle beneath your heater that says “pilot,” “on” and “off.”
- Turn the switch to the “off” position.
- Take a break for at least five minutes to prevent starting 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” lever once the pilot light is ignited.
If you have gone through the instructions twice and the pilot light still won’t light or stay ignited, get in touch with us at 715-301-0256 for furnace service.
Double-Check Your Gas Delivery System
Try turning on another gas appliance. If it doesn’t function, your natural gas service could be turned off, or you might have run out of propane.