1. Check the Thermostat
To start, ensure your thermostat is signaling your heater to turn on.
Digital Thermostat
- Change the batteries if the display is not displaying anything. If the digital monitor is mixed up, the thermostat might need to be replaced.
- Make certain that the button is set to “heat” as opposed to “off” or “cool.”
- Ensure the program is set to the correct day and time and is programmed to “run.” If you’re having a hard time getting out of the program, set the temperature by utilizing the up/down arrows and pressing the “hold” button. This will force the heating to start if thermostat scheduling is a problem.
- Increase the temperature setting to 5 degrees hotter than the temperature of the room.
If your heating hasn’t started within a few minutes, ensure it has power by switching the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the fan doesn’t start, your furnace could be without power.
Smart Thermostat
If you utilize a smart thermostat—for example one designed by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch—troubleshooting is very model-specific. Refer to the manufacturer’s website for help. If you’re still unable to get your Wi-Fi thermostat to work, contactl us at 309-323-9584 for heating and cooling service.
2. Examine Breakers and Switches
Next, you should confirm your breaker and furnace switch are on.
- Find your home’s main electrical panel. If you aren’t sure where it is, keep an eye out for a gray metal box in your basement, garage or closet.
- Make certain that your hands and feet are dry prior to using the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker marked “furnace” or “heat,” and make sure it’s switched “on.” If you discover a tripped breaker, it will be in the middle or “off” area.
- Moving one hand, steadily turn the breaker to the “on” position. If the breaker trips right away and pops back to “off,” don’t touch it and get in touch with a professional from Freed Heating & Air Conditioning at 309-323-9584 immediately.
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 by it.
- Make sure the lever is flipped up in the “on” spot. If it was shut off, anticipate your furnace could take up to five minutes to turn on. (If you don’t know where to locate your furnace, take a look at your basement, garage or utility closet. It may also be in a crawl space or attic.)
3. Put in a New Air Filter
When we consider furnace problems, a dirty, blocked air filter is frequently the top offender.
If your filter is too dirty:
- Your furnace won’t be able to stay on, or it may get too hot from limited airflow.
- Your utility expenses could increase because your heat is turning on more than it should.
- Your heater may stop working too soon because a dusty filter forces it to work harder.
- Your heating system might be disconnected from power if an excessively clogged filter results in a tripped breaker.
Based on what make of heating system you use, your air filter will be within the blower compartment of your heating system, an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
To replace your filter:
- Turn off your heating system.
- Pull out the filter and tilt it toward the light. If you can’t see light through it, use a new one.
- Install the new filter with the arrow motioning toward the heating system to avoid damage.
Flat filters need to be replaced once a month, while pleated filters should work somewhere in the vicinity of three months. You may also use a washable filter that will last about 10 years. If you have children or pets, you might have to change your filter more frequently.
To make the procedure smoother down the line, draw with a permanent writing tool on your furnace exterior or ductwork to show the airflow direction and filter size.
4. Check the Condensate Pan
Commonly known as drain pans, condensate pans hold liquid your heater removes from the air.
If water is seeping from your heater or its pan is overflowing, follow these recommendations.
- If your pan has a drain (look for a PVC pipe), double-check that it isn’t full. If it needs to be drained, get a special pan-cleaning tablet you can get at home improvement or hardware retailers.
- If your pan uses a pump, inspect the float switch. If the button is stuck “up” with water in the pan, reach us at 309-323-9584, because you will likely have to buy a new pump.
5. Check for Heating Error Codes
If failures keep on happening, look at your heating system’s plastic window to confirm the blower motor’s status. Dependent on the brand, the light might also be attached on the outside of your heater.
If you see anything except a steady, colored light or flickering green light, reach us at 309-323-9584 for HVAC service. Your furnace could be emitting an error code that is calling for expert help.
6. Scrub the Flame Sensor
If your heater attempts to run but switches off without distributing warm air, a dusty flame sensor could be at fault. When this takes place, your furnace will attempt to ignite three times before a safety mechanism powers it down for approximately an hour.
If you feel okay with removing the panels from your heating system, gently scrubbing your flame sensor is something you have the ability to do personally. Or, one of our heating service specialists can complete it for you.
If you are fine with cleaning the sensor personally, you require:
- A 1/4” hex screwdriver or wrench
- Piece of light grit sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth
- An unused paper towel
Next:
- Disable the heater’s power through its wall switch or breaker. If your furnace’s gas valve isn’t electric, you have to shut off the gas along with it.
- Remove the furnace’s front panel and track the wire to the flame sensor.
- Unscrew the rod and use your sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth to carefully scrub the metal rod.
- Clean the rod with a paper towel.
- Remount the sensor.
- Put the furnace doors back on.
- Switch the furnace’s power back on. It may go through a sequence of checks before resuming normal operation. If your heater doesn’t start, the sensor may need to be replaced or something else might be wrong. If this occurs, call us at 309-323-9584 for heating and cooling repair help.
7. Relight the Pilot Light
If you have an aging heater, the pilot light could be extinguished. To reignite it, look for the instructions on a sticker on your heater, or use these guidelines.
- Locate the lever below your heater labeled “pilot,” “on” and “off.”
- Move the switch to the “off” position.
- Take a break for at least five minutes to avoid starting a fire.
- Turn the knob to “pilot.”
- Push the “reset” lever as you push the flame of a long lighter to the pilot light opening.
- Release the “reset” switch once the pilot light is ignited.
If you have followed the instructions twice and the pilot light still won’t burn or stay burning, call us at 309-323-9584 for furnace service.
Inspect Your Fuel Source
Try switching on another gas appliance. If it doesn’t function, your natural gas service could be switched off, or you may have run out of propane.