About Me

Exploring Furnace Repairs

Hi there, I am Kenny. When I moved into my first home, the furnace would kick on and off all day long without bringing up the temperature to a suitable level. At first, I assumed that the furnace was just trying to cope with the erratic weather. Eventually, however, the outdoor temperatures became consistently chilly, but my furnace still appeared to be on the fritz. I will use this site to talk about all of the different repairs required to make an HVAC system functional again. My site will also cover the tools and parts required for the repair process. Thank you.

 

Exploring Furnace Repairs

Furnace Reset Button Issues: What Could Be Causing It

9 February 2022
 Categories: , Blog

Share

With the evolution of home furnaces, modern units are equipped with all sorts of safety features that weren't present years ago. One of those new features is a reset button. This reset button serves as a safety shut-off for the furnace. When certain problems are detected, the reset button is triggered, shutting off the furnace until the problem is corrected and the reset button is pressed to restore operation. If your furnace is tripping the reset button, it's important to know what may be causing the problem so that you can have it addressed. Here's a look at a few common reasons for furnace reset button issues.

Fuel Disruption

One thing that can trigger a furnace reset is if the fuel supply is disrupted. Whether you run out of heating oil or the fuel pump is malfunctioning, a disturbance in the flow of fuel to the furnace will often trigger the reset button to shut the furnace down. This is a safety feature that is designed to protect your home from potential furnace disasters. Check your furnace fuel supply and fuel pump to see if that may be the source of the problem.

Overheating Unit

Your furnace depends on sufficient airflow to keep the furnace within a safe operating temperature. If the blower fan isn't working the way that it should or the air intake filters are dirty and reduce airflow, this can lead to overheating. When your furnace overheats, it can trigger the over-limit switch, which will often trip the reset button and shut the furnace down. The goal of this system is to prevent your furnace from causing a fire. Check that the air intake filters are clean and clear, and have a heating technician inspect the blower fan to ensure that the furnace isn't overheating.

Faulty Flame Sensor

Your furnace typically has a flame sensor as part of the safety system as well. This flame sensor is intended to shut the furnace down if there's no flame detected within a certain period of time. This prevents the accumulation of fuel in your furnace or your home, which could lead to a fire or explosion. 

If the flame sensor is dirty or malfunctioning, it may not recognize that the burner is actually working. As a result, it could trip the reset button and shut the furnace down. You'll need to talk with a heating repair technician to test your flame sensor and determine if it's the source of the problem.

The reset button on your furnace is an important feature for protecting your family and your home. If you're having trouble with your furnace shutting down and tripping this button, reach out to a local heating repair technician today to check these causes and any others that might be contributing to the problem.