When a heater stops working, many people reach for the phone to call their local heating and cooling specialist for expert help and advice. But, in some cases, this is not necessary because the cause of the problem is something that’s easy to fix. You don’t need formal training and special tools to vacuum a thermostat or change an air filter. A prime example of this type of problem is a lack of power to the heater. In some cases, this is as simple as checking the breaker to see if the fuse has been tripped and restoring power. In this article, we will explore this topic in more detail to help you get your furnace working again.
The Importance of Electrical Power
Even if you have a furnace that runs on a fuel, such as natural gas, oil, or propane, you still need the electrical components to work together. If the power is interrupted to the furnace it must be restored before the furnace can be turned on and the heating is restored. Checking the power should be part of a basic troubleshooting checklist that you should go through before you call a professional heating technician, including:
- Check that the furnace access panel is closed fully.
- Check the air filter to ensure that it’s clean to maintain air flow.
- Make sure that the pilot light is lit and bright blue.
- The gas valve should be open.
- The thermostat needs to be set to the correct temperature.
- Check the thermostat batteries.
- Ensure that the furnace is switched.
- Check the electrical panel to ensure that the circuit breaker is not tripped.
5 Steps to Restore Electrical Power to the Furnace
If you checked that the thermostat is set to “Heat” and that the furnace power switch is turned “On,” it’s time to visit the circuit breaker or fuse box to learn more. Here are five easy steps that you can follow in order to restore power to your furnace:
Step 1: Look for a Switch Near the Furnace
There are times when the furnace will not turn on because someone has been in the vicinity and they have accidentally turned the power switch off. This is an easy mistake to make, and it can go unnoticed for some time. Place the switch back in the “On” position and check that the thermostat is set to “Heat.” If the temperature will not rise higher than the ambient room temperature, it’s time to check the electrical panel.
Step 2: Find the Electrical Panel
If you don’t know where the electrical panel is located, now is a great time to find out. This is usually a metal box with a door that houses the circuit breaker or fuse box and it’s usually found in a closet, basement, or garage. If you’re having trouble finding the electrical panel, check your home inspection papers or contact the electrical company that installed it for you.
Step 3: Identifying a Tripped Circuit Breaker
Most modern homes have circuits rather than fuses which are often found in older homes. When you find the circuit breaker box, you will see rows of circuit breakers with a larger breaker at the top of the box. That top circuit breaker can control the power to the entire home, and if it’s tripped, nothing will work. The smaller circuit breakers located underneath are connected to individual rooms and appliances. An HVAC system usually has a dedicated circuit and circuit breaker.
In a well organized electrical panel, the circuit breaker switches should all be clearly labeled. This is handy if you want to do some troubleshooting or electrical work. If you have time and a friend or partner to help, they can flip breakers and check what works and what stops working. Then the circuit breakers can be labeled to determine what they’re connected to. But, if you’re simply investigating an isolated problem such as a tripped furnace circuit breaker, it’s pretty easy to find it. If the breaker has been tripped, it will be in a different position than every other circuit breaker.
Step 4: Resetting a Circuit Breaker
Before you touch anything that could be carrying an electrical current, it’s important to check that your hands and feet are dry. When you flip a tripped circuit breaker, only ever use one hand and keep the other well out of the way. Now that your hands are dry and you’ve found the tripped circuit breaker in the “Off” position or trapped between “On” and “Off,” it’s time to reset it.
First, flip the tripped breaker fully into the “Off” position and then flip it back to “On.” In most cases, this will restore power immediately, but if power is not restored this may mean that an outdoor power switch is turned “Off”. Check outside for a power box near the unit; it may be a switch, fuse, or lever that’s located in a dedicated box. Turn the power switch “On,” and if this doesn’t work, there may be an underlying problem to fix. Contact your local heating and cooling specialist to take a look at the problem for you.
Step 5: Replacing a Blown Fuse
If you have an older electrical system, you may have a fuse box. Open the fuse box and look for a blown fuse which usually looks cloudy or discolored. If you look carefully, you may even see the melted or broken metal pieces inside the fuse. Now that you’ve located the blown fuse, it’s time to unscrew it and replace it with a new fuse.
The replacement fuse must be the same type, size, and amperage as the old fuse. Always double-check to ensure that the new fuse matches the amperage of the electrical circuit. It’s a great idea to have exact replacement fuses on-hand. If you need to visit the store to get a replacement fuse, take the old one with you and ask for the same fuse type.
If these steps don’t fix the problem, it’s time to contact your local heating and cooling specialist to take a look.