Furnace Repair Checklist
1. Look at the Thermostat
To start, ensure your thermostat is telling your furnace to turn on.
Digital Thermostat
- Swap out the batteries if the display is not displaying anything. If the digital monitor is mixed up, the thermostat could need to be replaced.
- Make sure the switch is switched to “heat” rather than “off” or “cool.”
- Ensure the program is displaying the right day and time and is scheduled to “run.” If you’re having a hard time turning off the setting, set the temperature by using the up/down arrows and holding the “hold” button. This will cause the furnace to start if thermostat is causing a problem.
- Turn the temperature setting to 5 degrees hotter than what the room temperature currently is.
If your heating hasn’t started within several minutes, make sure it has electricity by moving the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the fan doesn’t begin to run, your furnace might not have power.
Smart Thermostat
If you have a smart thermostat—like one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch—troubleshooting will be determined by the model you have. Take a look at the manufacturer’s website for support. If you still can’t get your Wi-Fi thermostat to function, reach us at 512-355-1482 for heating and cooling service.
2. Examine Breakers and Switches
Next, check if your breaker and furnace switch are on.
- Locate your main electrical panel. If you have no idea 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 aren’t moist before touching the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker titled “furnace” or “heat,” and ensure it’s moved to “on.” If you find that the breaker tripped, it will be in the middle or “off” spot.
- With one hand, firmly turn the breaker to the “on” position. If the breaker instantly trips and pops back to “off,” don't try to reset it and call a team member from Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning at 512-355-1482 right away.
It doesn’t matter how old your furnace is or what brand it is, it has no less than one regular wall switch placed on or close to it.
- Make sure the control is flipped up in the “on” position. If it was turned off, anticipate your furnace could take up to five minutes to ignite. (If you’re unaware of where to locate your furnace, take a look at your basement, garage or utility closet. It can also be in a crawl space or attic.)
3. Put in a New Air Filter
When it comes to heater issues, a grungy, full air filter is frequently to blame.
If your filter is too dusty:
- Your furnace won’t be able to stay on, or it might get too warm from reduced airflow.
- Your utility bills might go up because your heater is turning on more often.
- Your heating system could stop working prematurely since a dirty filter triggers it to work overtime.
- Your heating system can be disconnected from power if an overly dirty filter causes the breaker to trip.
Based on what type of heater you use, your air filter can be found in the interior of the blower compartment of your furnace, an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
To put in a new filter:
- Switch off your heating system.
- Take out the filter and angle it toward the light. If you can’t view light through it, replace it.
- Install the new filter with the arrow motioning toward the heating system to avoid damage.
Flat filters should be replaced every month, while pleated filters should last about three months. If you have children or pets, you might have to replace your filter more frequently.
To make the procedure go more quickly down the road, draw with a permanent pen on your heater exterior or ductwork to show the airflow direction and filter size.
4. Look at the Condensate Pan
Also known as drain pans, condensate pans hold water your heating system pulls from the air.
If moisture is dripping out of your heater or its pan has too much water in it, use these recommendations.
- If your pan includes a drain (look for a PVC pipe), double-check that it isn’t clogged. If it requires draining, use a special pan-cleaning tablet you can get at home improvement or hardware stores.
- If your pan contains a pump, take a look at the float switch. If the button can’t be moved from the “up” position with standing water in the pan, contact us at 512-355-1482, because you will likely have to get a new pump.
5. Check for Furnace Error Codes
If failures keep on happening, look inside your heater’s plastic window to check the blower motor’s status. Dependent on the type, the light could also be attached on the exterior of your heating system.
If you note anything except an uninterrupted, colored light or blinking green light, contact us at 512-355-1482 for HVAC service. Your heating system could be communicating an error code that needs professional service.
6. Clean the Flame Sensor
If your furnace attempts to start but shuts off without putting out heated air, a dusty flame sensor might be at fault. When this takes place, your furnace will try to start three times before a safety feature turns it off for around an hour.
If you feel okay with removing the panels from your heating system, cleaning your flame sensor is a job you are able to do yourself. Or, one of our heating service professionals has the ability to do it for you.
If you are fine with cleaning the sensor personally, you need:
- A 1/4” hex screwdriver or wrench
- Bit of light grit sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth
- A fresh paper towel
As the next step:
- Disable the furnace’s power by using its wall switch or breaker. If you don’t have an electric gas valve, you will need to shut off the gas in addition.
- Lift off the furnace’s front panel and follow the wire to the flame sensor.
- Take off the rod and use your sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth to carefully scrub 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 may proceed through a set of checks before resuming usual heating. If your heating system doesn’t ignite, the sensor might need to be replaced or something else may be causing a problem. If this occurs, contact us at 512-355-1482 for heating and cooling repair help.
7. Reignite the Pilot Light
If you own an aging heating system, the pilot light could be extinguished. To relight it, locate the directions on a sheet on your heating system, or use these recommendations.
- Locate the lever beneath your heater labeled “pilot,” “on” and “off.”
- Turn the switch to the “off” position.
- Take a break for at least five minutes to limit the possibility for creating a fire.
- Turn the switch to “pilot.”
- Hold down the “reset” lever as you push the flame of a long lighter to the pilot light opening.
- Let go of the “reset” switch once the pilot light is ignited.
If you have followed the list twice and the pilot light still won’t burn or remain burning, contact us at 512-355-1482 for furnace service.
Examine Your Energy Delivery System
Try turning on a second gas appliance. If it doesn’t work, your natural gas source may be shut off, or you could be out of propane.