Furnace Repair Checklist
1. Inspect the Thermostat
To begin, make sure your thermostat is instructing your heater to start.
Digital Thermostat
- Replace the batteries if the display is blank. If the digital display is messed up, the thermostat may need to be replaced.
- Ensure the button is switched to “heat” instead of “off” or “cool.”
- Ensure the program is set to the correct day and time and is scheduled to “run.” If you’re having a hard time getting out of the schedule, regulate the temperature with the up/down arrows and pressing the “hold” button. This will cause the furnace to start if thermostat is causing an issue.
- Turn the temperature setting to 5 degrees warmer than the room temperature.
If your heating hasn’t kicked on within a couple minutes, make certain that it has power by changing the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the fan doesn’t start, your furnace could be without power.
Smart Thermostat
If you use a smart thermostat—for example one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch—troubleshooting will depend on your model. Refer to the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you aren’t able to get your Wi-Fi thermostat to function, reach us at 928-432-6018 for heating and cooling service.
2. Check Breakers and Switches
Next, check if your breaker and furnace switch are on.
- Find your main electrical panel. If you don’t know where it is, look for a silver metal box in your basement, garage or closet.
- Make certain that your hands and feet aren’t moist in advance of using the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker labeled “furnace” or “heat,” and double-check it’s moved to “on.” If the breaker has tripped, it will be in the middle or “off” position.
- Using one hand, firmly flip the breaker to the “on” position. If the breaker instantly trips and pops back to “off,” don't try to reset it and get in touch with a team member from B&D Air Conditioning at 928-432-6018 right away.
It doesn’t matter how old your furnace is or what brand it is, it has at minimum one standard wall switch positioned on or close to it.
- Make certain the lever is flipped up in the “on” placement. If it was switched off, anticipate your furnace could take up to five minutes to ignite. (If you don’t know where to find your furnace, take a look at your basement, garage or utility closet. It might also be in a crawl space or attic.)
3. Put in a New Air Filter
When it comes to heater problems, a grungy, full air filter is regularly the top offender.
If your filter is too dusty:
- Your heat won’t be able to stay on, or it could get too warm from reduced airflow.
- Your heating costs may be higher because your furnace is turning on more often.
- Your heat could fail sooner than it should because a filthy filter causes it to work overtime.
- Your furnace can be cut off from power if an extremely filthy filter causes the breaker to trip.
Depending on what make of heater you use, your air filter can be found within the blower compartment of your heater, an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
To replace your filter:
- Cut the power to your furnace.
- Remove the filter and tilt it toward the light. If you can’t view light through it, use a new one.
- Put in the new filter with the arrow facing toward the heater to prevent damage.
Flat filters ought to be replaced every month, while pleated filters should last about three months. If you have children or pets, you might have to put in a new filter more frequently.
To make changing your filter go more quickly down the road, draw with a permanent writing tool on your heater exterior or ductwork to show the airflow direction and filter size.
4. Inspect the Condensate Pan
Otherwise known as drain pans, condensate pans hold liquid your heating system removes from the air.
If liquid is seeping from your heater or its pan has standing water in it, follow these recommendations.
- If your pan has a drain (look for a PVC pipe), check that it isn’t full. If it should be drained, get a special pan-cleaning tablet you can purchase at home improvement or hardware shops.
- If your pan has a pump, take a look at the float switch. If the button can’t be moved from the “up” position with liquid in the pan, call us at 928-432-6018, because you will probably have to install a new pump.
5. Check for Heater Error Codes
If malfunctions continue, look within your furnace’s plastic window to verify the blower motor’s status. Subject to the model, the light might also be attached on the surface of your heating system.
If you see anything other than a steady, colored light or twinkling green light, call us at 928-432-6018 for HVAC service. Your furnace could be communicating an error code that needs pro help.
6. Clean the Flame Sensor
If your heating system makes an effort to operate but shuts off without putting out warm air, a dirty flame sensor might be responsible. When this takes place, your furnace will try to ignite three times before a safety mechanism turns it off for approximately an hour.
If you feel okay with opening up your furnace, gently scrubbing your flame sensor is work you are able to do on your own. Or, one of our heating service experts can finish it for you.
If you are fine with cleaning the sensor personally, you should have:
- A 1/4” hex screwdriver or wrench
- Piece of light grit sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth
- An unused paper towel
Then:
- 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 switch off the gas along with it.
- Lift off the heating system’s front panel and trace the wire to the flame sensor.
- Take off the rod and use your sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth to lightly rub the metal rod.
- Clear the rod with a paper towel.
- Remount the sensor.
- Secure the furnace doors.
- Turn the furnace’s power back on. It might go through a sequence of checks before resuming normal running. If your heater doesn’t turn on, the sensor could require replacement or something else may be causing a problem. If this happens, get in touch with us at 928-432-6018 for heating and cooling repair help.
7. Light the Pilot Light
If you are using an aging heater, the pilot light could be turned off. To reignite it, find the guide on a sticker on your heater, or follow these steps.
- Locate the switch below your heater labeled “pilot,” “on” and “off.”
- Turn the switch to the “off” position.
- Take a break for at least five minutes to avoid sparking a fire.
- Move the dial to “pilot.”
- Press 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 instructions twice and the pilot light still won’t ignite or remain burning, contact us at 928-432-6018 for furnace service.
Inspect Your Gas Supply
Try using an additional gas appliance. If it doesn’t work, your natural gas service might be turned off, or you could be out of propane.