What Is The Switch On The Furnace For?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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It's usually mounted on the side of the or a wall nearby. Among other benefits, this switch

allows you or your plumber or repair technician to shut off the electricity to the furnace without having to go to

the main service panel to switch off the circuit breaker.

Should my furnace switch be on or off?

If it's a natural gas furnace that uses a standing pilot light to ignite the burners, then we recommend you shut it all the way off by

turning off the gas to it

. … You need electricity no matter what, so there's no reason to shut down an electric furnace. Simply stop using it.

How do I turn my furnace back on?

  1. Turn the circuit breaker off and switch the furnace power button off too. …
  2. Access the pilot light by removing the access panel. …
  3. Turn the gas control valve off and let the gas dissipate for five minutes before turning it back on in order to prevent a fire hazard.

What is the button on my furnace?

All furnaces are equipped with a

reset button

. They are generally red or yellow and are located inside the blower compartment. The reset button is a safety feature that will shut down the furnace when a problem is detected, often a hot or overheating furnace, before it trips the circuit breaker.

What is the purpose of the fan switch in a warm air furnace?

The furnace fan limit switch is designed

to activate and deactivate the furnace blower assembly

. This component is responsible for transmitting warm air throughout the air ducts in your home.

What happens if you turn off your furnace?

A furnace can encounter problems if it's turned off. These problems include the

build-up of moisture which leads to rust forming

. Corrosion can also happen, due to a build-up of water and soot. This can shorten the life expectancy of the furnace.

Should you turn your furnace off at night?

While some homeowners have considered turning off their heat at night in an attempt to lower their bills,

it generally is not recommended as a viable option

. … The extreme temperature drop that occurs when heat is off will cause your furnace to work harder to bring your house back to a comfortable temperature.

What would cause a furnace to not kick on?




. If your furnace is not kicking on, it can be an issue with the thermostat. You should first make sure that the thermostat is switched to the heating function. … You may also have an internal problem with your thermostat, which needs to be repaired by a professional.

When should a furnace be reset?

The purpose of the reset button on a furnace is

to shut it down before it can trip your circuit breaker

. The need for this may arise if the furnace becomes too hot, or if there is some sort of electrical system interruption. To get the furnace working again, you simply press the reset button back down again.

When should I turn my furnace on?

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, indoor air during cold weather should be

between 68° and 75°F

, so if it ever drops below that range, it's time to turn on the furnace.

Does gas furnace work when power is out?

What Happens When the Power Goes Out? For the vast majority of homeowners who use a furnace with natural gas for heat,

an electrical outage means the furnace won't work

. The furnace's safety system will not allow it to turn on during an electrical outage.

How many times can I hit the reset button on my furnace?

Don't hit “reset”

more than twice

. The process pumps oil into the burner chamber, where it can accumulate if you have no ignition. Then when the furnace finally does start, it can do so explosively. So if the button won't reset, or quickly pops up again, it's time to call a professional repair service.

Where is the reset button?

Alternatively referred to as the reset switch, the reset button allows devices that utilize it, such as a computer or peripheral to be rebooted. Usually, the button is

on the front of the device, next to or near the power button

.

How do I turn on my furnace fan without heat?

If you want a switch to allow running the blower at the cooling speed without heat then you can

install a simple switch at the furnace and connect it to the R and G terminals where the thermostat wiring connects

.

How do I know if my fan limit switch is bad?

The most common sign of a malfunctioning limit switch is

the continuous operation of your furnace's blower

. Just as the limit switch won't allow the fan to turn on until the warm air has reached the right temperature, the limit switch also shuts down when the air cools to a certain temperature.

Where is the fan switch on a furnace?

Your fan limit switch is located

inside the furnace panel cover

, usually near the upper right corner. The fan limit switch is responsible for turning the blower on and off at the appropriate times.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.