How to Reboot a Furnace: 3 Easy Steps to Restart Your Furnace

outside and many of you may be experiencing problems with your heaters. If your furnace isn’t working, you don’t have to call a professional — at least not yet.

There is a simple, do-it-yourself furnace reboot process that may get your system back up and running again. Fortunately, restarting your furnace can be accomplished by any adult and the best part, doesn’t cost any money!

How to Reboot a Furnace

1. Change the Filter

Before you do anything, check the furnace filter. Sometimes, a clogged filter will keep the furnace from turning on — it’s a safety mechanism in many newer HVAC models.

Dirty air filters cause a number of problems, including restricted airflow and poor indoor air quality. Check your HVAC filter every 30 days and wait no longer than 90 days to clean or replace it!

How to change a furnace filter:

• Turn the furnace “off” at the thermostat.
• Locate the furnace filter. It is usually in a compartment at the top or bottom of the furnace.
• Once you locate the access panel, open it up and slide the filter out.
• Insert the new, clean filter with the arrows pointing in the direction of airflow (toward the furnace).
• Close and secure the access door.

Now that you have ensured a clean filter for your furnace, let’s try to reboot it.

2. Check the Pilot Light

If the pilot light is off, your furnace can’t get the spark necessary to light the boilers. You may need to remove a panel to see if the pilot light is on, but in many cases, you can simply look in.

If your pilot light is off, you will need to light it. Refer to your owner’s manual for proper instructions on relighting the pilot light.

After you have made sure there is a clean filter and working pilot light, the next step is to turn the furnace off and back on again.

3. Turn the Furnace Off and Back On Again

Turn the temperature on your thermostat to at least 5 degrees below the indoor temperature of the house.

Next, find the breaker box. Locate the breaker for your heater and turn it off. Make sure that your hands are completely dry.

Do not use the breaker panel if you notice damage. In case of any noticeable damage, call a qualified electrician. Also, keep in mind that the HVAC breakers may be located in a separate subpanel near the outdoor unit.

Leave the breaker(s) off for at least 10 minutes while the system is off and “rebooting.” After 10 minutes have elapsed, go back to the breaker box and flip the HVAC breaker(s) back on.

Now that power is restored to your furnace, go back to the thermostat, make sure it is set to “heat,” and then turn the temperature above the room temperature. If you’re lucky, the furnace should have turned back on.

Call a Certified HVAC Professional

Unfortunately, this only works some of the time. If rebooting your furnace didn’t do the trick, call the local HVAC experts at Crawford Services.