Furnace Repair Checklist
1. Inspect the Thermostat
To start, ensure your thermostat is signaling your heat to ignite.
Digital Thermostat
- Change the batteries if the display is empty. If the digital display is scrambled, the thermostat may need to be changed.
- Make certain that the button is on “heat” instead of “off” or “cool.”
- Ensure the program is showing the appropriate day and time and is set to “run.” If you’re having problems getting out of the schedule, adjust the temperature with the up/down arrows and holding the “hold” button. This will cause the furnace to turn on if thermostat is causing trouble.
- Turn the temperature setting to 5 degrees above what the room temperature currently is.
If your furnace hasn’t started within a few minutes, ensure it has electricity by toggling the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the fan doesn’t begin to run, your furnace could be without power.
Smart Thermostat
If you utilize a smart thermostat—like one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch—troubleshooting is very model-specific. Refer to the manufacturer’s website for support. If you’re still unable to get your Wi-Fi thermostat to operate, call us at 602-971-0567 for heating and cooling service.
2. Inspect Breakers and Switches
Next, check if your breaker and furnace switch are on.
- Locate your main electrical panel. If you aren’t sure where it is, keep an eye out for a metallic metal box in your basement, garage or closet.
- Make certain that your hands and feet aren’t moist in advance of touching the panel or breakers.
- Locate the breaker titled “furnace” or “heat,” and ensure it’s turned “on.” If you find that the breaker tripped, it will be in the middle or “off” area.
- With one hand, firmly turn the breaker to the “on” position. If the breaker trips right away and pops back to “off,” don't try to reset it and get in touch with an expert from Integrity AC & Heating LLC at 602-971-0567 quickly.
Regardless of your furnace’s age or brand, it has at least one standard wall switch situated on or near it.
- Make sure the switch is flipped up in the “on” placement. If it was switched off, it could take your furnace up to five minutes to ignite. (If you don’t know where your furnace is located, check 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 furnace problems, a dirty, blocked air filter is frequently to blame.
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 bills may go up because your furnace is running more than it should.
- Your heater might fail sooner than it should since a dirty filter triggers it to overwork.
- Your heating system might be cut off from power if an excessively dirty filter is the cause of a tripped breaker.
While it depends on what type of heating system you use, your air filter can be found in the interior of the blower compartment of your heater, 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, use a new one.
- Insert the new filter with the arrow facing toward the heater 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 might have to replace your filter more frequently.
To make the procedure smoother down the line, use a permanent pen on your heating system outside or ductwork to show the airflow direction and filter size.
4. Look at the Condensate Pan
Also known as drain pans, condensate pans catch liquid your heater draws from the air.
If moisture is seeping from your heating system or its pan has too much water in it, follow these steps.
- If your pan includes 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 get at home improvement or hardware retailers.
- If your pan uses a pump, take a look at the float switch. If the switch can’t be moved from the “up” position with water in the pan, reach us at 602-971-0567, because you will likely need a new pump.
5. Check for Heater Error Codes
If faults keep on happening, peek within your heating system’s plastic window to confirm the blower motor’s status. Subject to the brand, the light may also be mounted on the surface of your heating system.
If you see anything other than a steady, colored light or twinkling green light, reach us at 602-971-0567 for HVAC service. Your furnace may be communicating an error code that is calling for pro assistance.
6. Brush off the Flame Sensor
If your heater tries to run but switches off without blowing warmth, a dirty flame sensor could be responsible. When this occurs, your furnace will try to start three times before a safety device powers it down for around an hour.
If you feel confident with taking the panels off your heater, brushing off your flame sensor is a task you are able to do personally. Or, one of our heating service specialists has the ability to complete 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 dry, clean paper towel
As the next step:
- Turn off the heater’s power with its wall switch or breaker. If your furnace’s gas valve isn’t electric, you will need to switch off the gas as well.
- Take off the heating system’s front panel and track the wire to the flame sensor.
- Remove the rod and use your sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth to gently rub the metal rod.
- Clean the rod with a paper towel.
- Put the sensor back in.
- Put the furnace doors back on.
- Switch the furnace’s power back on. It might run through a series of examinations before resuming normal heating. If your heating system doesn’t start, the sensor might need to be replaced or something else could be causing a problem. If this takes place, contact us at 602-971-0567 for heating and cooling repair support.
7. Light the Pilot Light
If you are using an older heater, the pilot light could be turned off. To relight it, look for the instructions on a sheet on your heater, or follow these guidelines.
- Find the switch below your heater marked “pilot,” “on” and “off.”
- Push the switch to the “off” position.
- Take a break for at least five minutes to avoid creating a fire.
- Move the knob to “pilot.”
- Hold down the “reset” switch as you move the flame of a long lighter to the pilot light opening.
- Let go of the “reset” lever once the pilot light is burning.
If you have followed the guide twice and the pilot light still won’t light or stay lit, contact us at 602-971-0567 for furnace service.
Examine Your Energy Supply
Try using a second gas appliance. If it doesn’t work, your natural gas delivery might be switched off, or you might have run out of propane.