Reset Your Heater for Winter: Simple Steps
Why Your Heater Might Need a Reset
When winter rolls around, your heating system has been idle for months. Sometimes it needs a little coaxing to get going again. A reset clears minor glitches and gets everything running smoothly without requiring a service call.
The good news: most resets are simple enough to do yourself in under an hour.
Check Your Thermostat First
Start here because it’s the easiest fix. Make sure your thermostat is set to “heat” mode and the temperature setting is higher than your current room temperature. If it’s battery-operated, swap in fresh batteries—dead batteries are behind more heating issues than you’d think.
For smart thermostats, try disconnecting and reconnecting your Wi-Fi or check if a software update is waiting. Sometimes that’s all it takes.
Inspect the Power and Fuel Supply
Walk over to your circuit breaker and verify the breaker for your furnace or heat pump hasn’t tripped. If it has, flip it back on. For gas systems, check that your pilot light is lit and the gas valve is turned on.
Picture this: Sarah turned on her heat one January morning and got nothing but silence. She checked the thermostat—set correctly. Then she looked at the circuit breaker and found it switched off from an electrical surge the night before. One flip of the switch and warm air started flowing within minutes.
Clean and Reset Key Components
Before firing up your system, take these steps:
- Replace your air filter—a clogged filter cuts efficiency and airflow dramatically
- Check all vents and registers, removing any furniture or blockages
- If you have a gas furnace, verify the pilot light is on; if not, follow your manual’s relighting instructions
- Listen for squeaking or grinding from the blower motor when it runs
The Reset Process
If your heater still isn’t cooperating, try a full reset. Turn down your thermostat to its lowest setting, then locate the circuit breaker for your system and switch it off. Wait two to three minutes—this clears any electrical charge.
Flip the breaker back on and restore your gas supply if applicable. If your system has a reset button, hold it for about 30 seconds. Then gradually raise your thermostat back to your desired temperature and listen for the system to ignite. More Information
When to Call for Help
If your pilot light won’t stay lit after relighting, if you hear unusual grinding or squeaking that doesn’t stop, or if the system still won’t turn on after a reset, it’s time to call a professional. These signs point to issues that go beyond simple maintenance.
Regular maintenance prevents most problems. Clean or replace your air filter every month or two, keep vents unobstructed, and consider scheduling an annual inspection before each heating season. Small problems caught early stay small and cheap.