Urbana, IN Heating System Reset Tips — HVAC Help

Estimated Read Time: 12 minutes

Heater quit on a cold night? Here is how to reset your heating system safely before you call for help. This guide covers how to reset your furnace or heat pump, what to check first, and when to get a professional. If you live around Peru, Kokomo, or Wabash, these quick steps can get warm air moving again fast while keeping your family safe.

Start Here: Safety First and Quick Checks

When heat stops, stay calm and start with basic safety. If you ever smell gas, hear a hiss, or feel dizzy, leave the home and call your utility and a licensed pro right away. Do not try to reset a suspected gas leak.

Before you touch the system:

1. Confirm power. Check the thermostat screen and the furnace or air handler. If blank, look for a tripped breaker.
2. Check the furnace switch. Most units have a light-switch-style power switch nearby. It gets bumped more often than you think.
3. Verify the thermostat mode. Set it to Heat and Fan Auto. Raise the setpoint 3 to 5 degrees above room temperature.
4. Inspect the air filter. A clogged filter can overheat a furnace and trigger a limit switch lockout. Replace if dirty.

If none of these fix the issue, move to a controlled reset.

How To Reset a Gas Furnace Safely

Many modern furnaces enter a soft lockout after several failed ignition attempts. A proper reset clears the fault so the board can try again.

1. Turn the thermostat to Off.
2. Move the furnace power switch to Off, or shut the dedicated breaker.
3. Wait 60 seconds for the control board to discharge. Open the blower door and look for an LED diagnostic code if you are comfortable. Note the code for your technician.
4. Replace the blower door, restore power, and turn Heat back On at the thermostat.

If your furnace uses a standing pilot, follow the lighting instructions on the unit sticker. Most sealed-combustion furnaces use hot surface or spark ignition and reset automatically after power is restored.

Important checks if it trips again:

• Condensate drain and trap: High-efficiency furnaces will lock out if the condensate line is blocked or frozen. Clear the line and thaw gently if iced.
• Pressure switch tubing: Kinks or water in the tube stop combustion air proving.
• Flame sensor: A dirty sensor causes flame loss seconds after ignition. Lightly polish with a clean scouring pad only if you are trained. Otherwise, call a pro.

How To Reset an Electric Furnace or Air Handler

Electric furnaces and air handlers rely on sequencers and heat strips. Overheating from poor airflow or a stuck relay can trip resets.

1. Set the thermostat to Off.
2. Turn Off the air handler breaker. Some units have a red manual reset button near the heating elements. Press to reset if it has tripped.
3. Replace a clogged filter and check for blocked return grilles.
4. Restore power and call for Heat.

If it immediately trips again, stop and schedule service. Repeated trips point to a failing sequencer, blower motor issue, or a short on a heat strip.

How To Reset a Heat Pump in Heating Mode

Heat pumps can fault during defrost, with low outdoor airflow, or after a power blip.

1. Set the thermostat to Off.
2. Turn Off the heat pump disconnect or breaker for 3 minutes. This lets pressures equalize.
3. Clear snow, leaves, or ice from the outdoor unit. Maintain 18 inches of space around the coil for airflow.
4. Turn power back On and set the thermostat to Heat. Watch for the outdoor fan and compressor to start after a short delay.

If the thermostat shows Aux Heat more than usual, or if the outdoor fan will not spin freely, schedule diagnostics. Pro testing includes refrigerant charge, defrost board logic, and reversing valve operation.

Thermostat Resets That Solve Hidden Problems

Smart and programmable thermostats sometimes cause heat failures after firmware updates or battery drops.

• Replace batteries if the screen is dim or blank.
• Check date and time. Wrong schedules can block a call for heat.
• Gently remove the thermostat face and reseat it on the subbase.
• For Wi-Fi models, perform a factory reset only after noting your settings. Then reconfigure Heat mode and equipment type.

If the system runs in Fan Only or short cycles, the thermostat may be misconfigured for heat pump vs. gas furnace. Correct equipment setup is essential.

Airflow, Filters, and Why Limit Switches Trip

Lack of airflow is a top cause of no-heat and repeated lockouts. In northern Indiana, fall renovation dust and winter pet hair clog filters quickly.

• Replace 1-inch filters every 30 to 60 days. High-MERV filters restrict flow faster.
• Keep return grilles open. Avoid placing furniture against them.
• Inspect the blower compartment. Excess dust can coat the blower wheel and cut airflow.

When furnaces overheat, the high limit switch opens to protect the heat exchanger. If this happens several times in a row, the control board often locks out. Restoring airflow and resetting power usually clears it. If not, a technician should check static pressure, blower speed, and duct sizing.

Condensate and Freeze-Up Problems in Cold Weather

High-efficiency furnaces and heat pumps move moisture. In Peru and Kokomo, temps swing below freezing, which can ice drain lines or trap water in traps.

• Make sure the furnace condensate line slopes to a drain and is not pinched.
• For lines that exit a wall, insulating the tube helps prevent freeze-ups.
• Heat pumps may ice up in sleet. The defrost cycle should clear it. If the coil stays iced over, shut the system Off and call for service.

A blocked condensate switch will kill heat to avoid water damage. Clearing the line and resetting power is safe, but never bypass the switch.

Boiler and Hydronic Heat: Reset Basics

If you have a boiler, many control boards include a reset button.

1. Turn the thermostat to Off.
2. Press the boiler control reset once. Do not press repeatedly.
3. Check system pressure. Most residential systems prefer 12 to 15 psi when cold. Low pressure can trigger a lockout.
4. Restore the thermostat to Heat.

If lockouts repeat, do not attempt more resets. Combustion checks, venting, and safeties need a licensed technician.

When a Reset Is Not Enough: Signs You Need a Professional

A simple power cycle should not be a weekly ritual. Call a pro when you see any of the following:

• You smell gas or see a burn mark on the furnace door.
• The breaker trips again after a reset.
• The furnace starts then shuts down in under a minute.
• The heat pump outdoor unit hums but the fan does not spin.
• Water is pooling near the furnace or air handler.

What you can expect from a professional visit:

• Full system diagnostics, combustion analysis for gas, static pressure testing, and verification of safeties.
• Cleaning of burners and flame sensors, and condensate trap service.
• Thermostat configuration and wiring checks.

Our team offers 24/7 emergency service and same-day appointments. We stand behind repairs with a one-year parts and labor warranty, so you never pay twice for the same fix within the warranty period.

Prevent Lockouts with a Pro Tune-Up

The best reset is the one you never need. A precision tune-up before deep winter reduces breakdowns and cuts energy waste.

A quality heating tune-up includes:

1. Safety checks for gas leaks, venting, and CO levels.
2. Cleaning burners, flame sensor, and blower wheel.
3. Checking ignition, pressure switches, inducer amps, and motor bearings.
4. Verifying temperature rise and adjusting blower speed if needed.
5. Inspecting duct connections and measuring static pressure.

Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling has served local homes since 1969. Maintenance plan members get automatic scheduling, priority status, and no overtime charges for covered visits. Many failures we see in Peru, Logansport, and Wabash come from clogged filters and blocked drains. A tune-up catches those early.

Local Insight: What Trips Systems in North-Central Indiana

Winters along the US-24 and US-31 corridors bring freeze-thaw cycles that stress venting and drains. We often find:

• Iced high-efficiency furnace intake pipes after wind-driven snow.
• Heat pumps packed with leaves after fall cleanup.
• Boiler lockouts when pressure drops during the first real cold snap.

If you live in Kokomo, Peru, or North Manchester, clear snow from around vents and outdoor units after storms. Replace filters at the first sign of dust buildup. These two habits prevent the majority of nuisance lockouts we see.

Step-by-Step Quick Reference

Use this fast checklist when heat stops:

1. Thermostat: Heat mode, Fan Auto, setpoint 3 to 5 degrees higher.
2. Power: Furnace switch On, breaker On.
3. Filter: Replace if dirty.
4. Reset: Power cycle the furnace or heat pump for 60 seconds.
5. Drain: Check condensate lines for kinks or ice.
6. Outdoor unit: Clear debris and snow around heat pumps.
7. Try again. If it fails twice, stop and schedule service to prevent damage.

Special Offer: Get Your Heat Back and Save

Furnace running rough or locked out after a reset? This month only, schedule our Furnace Inspection with No Breakdown Guarantee for $69. If your furnace breaks down after the tune-up, we refund your money.

• Coupon: $69 Furnace Tune-Up Special
• Conditions: Must be presented at time of service. Cannot be combined with other discounts. Limited time.
• Expires: 12/31/2025

Prefer repairs today? Ask about our Free Service Call on any paid repair. Expires 12/31/2025.

What Homeowners Are Saying

"We had Will come and check out our furnace and boiler and he did a fantastic job. Would like to have Summers and Will come back again. Thank you."
–Sheryl & Ron M., Heating Service

"Zach and Will were out to check on my furnace issue. Were very helpful and broke things down very well... Had the installers Nick and Tom come out and put in the new furnace today! ... Will definitely be using Summer’s services in the future and recommending to others!"
–Peru Homeowner, Furnace Install

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I power down my furnace to reset it?

One full minute is enough for most control boards to discharge. Turn the thermostat Off, cut furnace power for 60 seconds, then restore power and set Heat back On.

Is it safe to press the reset on my boiler more than once?

No. Press the reset only once. Repeated resets can allow unburned fuel to build up. If it locks out again, call a licensed technician.

Why does my furnace start then stop after a few seconds?

Common causes include a dirty flame sensor, blocked condensate drain, weak ignitor, or pressure switch issues. You can try a power reset once. If it repeats, schedule service.

Can a clogged filter really stop heat?

Yes. Low airflow overheats the furnace and trips the high limit switch. Replace 1-inch filters every 30 to 60 days, especially during peak heating months.

When should I call emergency service instead of resetting?

Call immediately if you smell gas, see scorch marks, trip the breaker twice, or find water pooling near the unit. These are safety issues that need a pro now.

Bottom Line

A careful reset often restores heat, but repeat lockouts signal a deeper problem. For fast, safe help with how to reset your heating system in Peru and nearby cities, schedule a precision tune-up or repair today.

Call Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling at (765) 473-5435 or book online at https://www.summersphc.com/peru/. Mention the $69 Furnace Tune-Up Special for added savings.

Ready to Get Warm Again?

• Call now: (765) 473-5435
• Book online: https://www.summersphc.com/peru/
• Save today: $69 Furnace Tune-Up with No Breakdown Guarantee. Free Service Call on any paid repair.

Same-day and 24/7 emergency service available in Peru, Kokomo, Logansport, Wabash, Rochester, and nearby communities.

About Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling

Since 1969, Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling has served Miami County and nearby Indiana towns with licensed, background-checked technicians and 24/7 emergency service. We back our work with a one-year parts and labor warranty and offer price-match savings. From furnace repairs to heat pumps and geothermal installs, homeowners trust our local team for superior service at affordable prices.