Gas Furnace - The emergency switch is typically a red switch located on or near the furnace unit. It may be mounted on the side of the furnace or on a nearby wall. Heat Pump - The emergency switch for a heat pump is typically a red switch located near the outdoor unit. It may be on the unit itself or on a nearby wall.
Find the emergency shutoff switch: The emergency shutoff switch is usually located near or along the cellar stairs or next to your oil-fired heating system. The switch should be in the ON position. The emergency shutoff switch looks just like a light switch, so it may have been accidentally turned off.
The limit switch is a safety control switch located on the furnace just below the plenum. If the plenum gets too hot, the limit switch shuts off the burner. It also shuts off the blower when the temperature drops to a certain level after the burner has shut off.
Your heating system may be equipped with an emergency shut-off switch for the furnace. If your system is so equipped, locate it and make sure it is turned on.
Typically, you'll find it inside the air handler, either next to or above your furnace. In most newer systems, the button is often directly next to the blower motor, while in older systems, it may be harder to spot as it is sometimes underneath or behind the motor.
Steps to Reset Your Furnace
If you can't find a switch at the furnace you can turn off the circuit breaker to the furnace at the main circuit breaker box. Wait about 10 seconds. Turn the switch or breaker back on and check the furnace to see that it has power again.
The first thing you want to do is turn your furnace off using the thermostat, if applicable. But your gas furnace itself has an on/off switch as well. The main body of your furnace will have an electrical panel that contains the internal control settings. This is where you will turn off the furnace completely.
More modern furnace units may have electronic controls or smaller switches to cut off the fuel supply. However, even older furnace systems have access controls from the outside, which can be easily turned on and off. Turn your furnace's fuel switch to the “OFF” position to shut off the fuel supply.
The furnace switch is the unit's power source and typically located next to the furnace or on its side. It closely resembles a light switch. First, confirm the switch is in the "on" position, and if it is, see if your furnace starts up.
To turn the power off when repairing or maintaining the furnace; To power down during severe weather events (hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc.)
Most safety switches are placed beside their circuit breakers or fuse box located commonly on the side of your house or in the garage. You can identify them by locating the TEST button.
The emergency water shut-off valve or master shut-off valve is what you will use to shut off the water supply to your home in an emergency. Be sure to keep the valve accessible all year-round. Typically, it is in the basement, garage, crawl space, or under your home. It may also be outside your home by the foundation.
Check the perimeter walls on the side of the house facing the street. If you have a basement or crawlspace, the valve could be located there. If your home is built on a slab, check near the water heater or inside the garage. No matter its location, the main water shutoff valve should be near ground level.
Gas Furnace - The emergency switch is typically a red switch located on or near the furnace unit. It may be mounted on the side of the furnace or on a nearby wall. Heat Pump - The emergency switch for a heat pump is typically a red switch located near the outdoor unit. It may be on the unit itself or on a nearby wall.
In most newer systems, the reset button is conveniently located near the blower motor, which makes it easy to spot and use when needed. In older systems, however, it may be more challenging to locate the reset button on your furnace, as it can sometimes be found underneath or behind the blower motor.
First of all, be aware that not all furnaces have a reset button; however, most do. If your electric furnace has one, it's most likely located within the blower housing, next to the motor. If you own a gas furnace, it's probably located within the control panel. Check your owner's manual for specifics.
Locate the power switch on your furnace. Most furnaces have the switch on the exterior of the metal cabinet that contains the blower unit.
To shut the furnace gas valve off, turn it 90 degrees so that it is perpendicular to the gas pipe. Some people like to turn off their gas furnace for the summer in the hopes of saving energy and reducing heat, and you would do that the same way.
There are two places you can cut the power to your heating unit: at the breaker box and at its specific power switch. Head to your breaker box and locate the breaker labeled “furnace.” Push the breaker switch to the right to shut off power.
The main risks of turning off your furnace include: Frozen or burst pipes. Structural damage to your home from contraction and expansion. Health adversities from decreasing indoor temperatures.
The furnace gas valve on off switch has to be in the ON position to ensure it is getting power. The switch should look similar to a light switch and will be located on or near the furnace. The handle/knob for the gas valve runs parallel to the line when in the ON position, double check that it is in this position.
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.