Hobbs, IN Heating System Reset — HVAC Tips When Heater Fails

Estimated Read Time: 9 minutes

When the heat is out, minutes feel like hours. If you’re searching how to reset heating system after your heater stops working, this guide walks you through safe, simple steps that fix many no-heat issues fast. We’ll show what to check first, how to reset furnaces, heat pumps, and boilers, and when to call a pro. You’ll also see how to prevent the next outage and save on service in Kokomo and nearby towns.

Safety First: When Not To Reset

Before you touch anything, scan for red flags. Do not try a reset if you notice any of the following:

• A gas smell or rotten-egg odor. Leave the home and call your gas utility and 911.
• Soot, scorch marks, or smoke around the furnace or boiler.
• Water on or around electrical equipment.
• The furnace repeatedly locks out within minutes after each start.

If any of these are present, call a licensed technician. Your system may be protecting itself from a dangerous condition. In Kokomo, brief winter power blips can trip safety controls. A safe reset can help, but only after you rule out hazards.

Quick Checks Before You Reset

A careful minute here can save you an hour later.

1. Thermostat settings
2. • Set Heat mode and raise the setpoint 3 degrees above room temperature.
   • Replace batteries if the screen is dim or blank.
   • For smart thermostats, confirm Wi‑Fi outages or app errors are not blocking heat.
2. Power to the system
3. • Check the furnace or air handler switch at the unit. It should be On.
   • Verify the breaker labeled Furnace, Air Handler, or HVAC is On. Reset a tripped breaker once only. If it trips again, stop and call.
3. Filter and airflow
4. • A clogged filter can force a shutdown. Replace it if dirty. Energy.gov notes clean filters can reduce energy use by up to 15 percent, and restoring airflow often clears error codes.
4. Gas supply
5. • Ensure the gas valve at the furnace or boiler is parallel with the pipe (open). If you smell gas, stop and call for help.
5. Condensate and vents
6. • High-efficiency units need a clear drain. If the condensate pan is full or you see water at the base, call for service.
   • Outside intake and exhaust pipes must be free of snow, leaves, or pests.

If all looks normal, proceed to the reset steps that match your system.

How To Reset a Gas or Electric Furnace

These steps apply to most modern furnaces with electronic controls.

1. Power down safely
2. • Turn the thermostat to Off.
   • Switch Off the furnace service switch or flip the breaker Off.
   • Wait 60 seconds to let the control board discharge.
2. Inspect the furnace door
3. • Open the blower door and reseat it firmly. A loose door switch can prevent operation.
3. Restore power
4. • Turn the breaker and furnace switch back On.
4. Thermostat call for heat
5. • Set Heat and raise the setpoint 3 degrees above the room temperature.
5. Watch the startup sequence
6. • Draft inducer starts.
   • Igniter glows or spark clicks.
   • Gas valve opens and burners light with a smooth blue flame.
   • After a brief delay, the blower starts.

If your furnace has a visible reset button on the motor (older models), press it once only. If it trips again, do not keep pressing. That indicates a fault such as an overheated motor or blocked airflow.

Common pitfalls to check again:

• Filter installed backwards. The arrow must point toward the furnace.
• Closed supply registers. Keep 80 percent or more open to maintain airflow.
• Thermostat wiring recently changed. Loose or miswired connections can block the heat call.

How To Reset a Heat Pump and Air Handler

Heat pumps protect themselves in freezing weather and after short power interruptions.

1. Thermostat Off. Set to Off for 60 seconds.
2. Power cycle the outdoor unit. Use the disconnect next to the condenser or the breaker. Wait 60 to 90 seconds.
3. Power cycle the indoor air handler if accessible. Switch Off, wait 60 seconds, then On.
4. Restore the thermostat to Heat. In very cold Kokomo snaps, your system may use Aux or Emergency Heat. That is normal.
5. Defrost mode. If the outdoor coil is icy, the unit may pause heating during a defrost cycle for a few minutes. Light steam is normal, but heavy smoke is not.

If the fan runs but air is cool after 10 minutes, the reversing valve, outdoor sensor, or refrigerant charge may need service.

How To Reset a Boiler Safely

Hydronic systems have their own controls and safety limits.

1. Thermostat Off, then On. Raise the setpoint.
2. Check system pressure. Most residential boilers run around 12 to 20 psi when cool. If the gauge reads near zero, call for service before proceeding.
3. Verify gas and power. The boiler switch should be On and the gas cock open.
4. Press the boiler reset only once. Many boilers have a control module with a reset button. Hold for 3 to 5 seconds, then release.
5. Watch for normal fire. The burner should light cleanly without rumble or delayed ignition. Circulator pumps should run and radiators should warm evenly.

Do not bleed radiators or add water unless you know the procedure. Improper purging can introduce air and cause lockouts.

Resetting Smart Thermostats and Clearing Lockouts

Sometimes the thermostat is the culprit.

• Reboot sequence. For many models, pull the thermostat off the base for 30 seconds, then reseat. For battery units, remove batteries for 60 seconds.
• Software updates. Confirm firmware is current in the app. A failed update can freeze heat calls.
• Heat pump settings. Ensure the thermostat is configured for your equipment type. Wrong settings can disable Aux heat.
• Delay timers. After a power outage, most thermostats enforce a 3 to 5 minute compressor delay. Be patient before assuming failure.

If you recently switched thermostats, label and confirm wires at the control board. Misplaced O/B, W, or C wires lead to no-heat situations.

What “Normal” Looks and Sounds Like After a Reset

Most systems follow this rhythm:

1. Call for heat is made.
2. Safety checks pass.
3. Ignition or compressor starts.
4. Airflow ramps up. Expect warm air at vents within 3 to 5 minutes for furnaces, 7 to 10 minutes for heat pumps, and steady radiator warming for boilers.

Look for these confirmations:

• Strong, steady airflow at multiple registers.
• No repeating clicks, bangs, or sulfur smells.
• Outdoor heat pump free of heavy frost after defrost cycles.

If your furnace starts, runs for 30 to 90 seconds, then shuts off repeatedly, you may have a limit switch issue or blocked airflow. Stop and schedule service.

When a Reset Fails: Likely Causes You Can’t See

Repeated lockouts are the system telling you it needs attention. Common reasons include:

• Dirty flame sensor. The unit lights then shuts down. A proper cleaning fixes it, but this is not a DIY task.
• Weak igniter. Glows but does not light the gas. Replacement is fast when stocked on the truck.
• Inducer or blower motor failure. May hum or not start at all.
• Faulty pressure switch or condensate backup. High-efficiency units are sensitive to drain restrictions.
• Thermostat misconfiguration after a recent upgrade.
• Reversing valve or low refrigerant on heat pumps.
• Boiler low water cutoff or failed circulation.

Our technicians carry diagnostic tools and common parts to finish most jobs in one visit. Many Kokomo outages trace back to dirty filters, blocked intakes from snow along driveways, or brief grid outages after wind gusts off US‑31.

Prevention: Maintenance That Keeps Heat Running

A careful tune-up prevents most no-heat calls.

• Precision cleaning and safety check. We inspect burners, heat exchangers, sensors, and drains. Small issues get fixed before they trip a shutdown.
• Filter and airflow plan. We size and schedule the right filter for your system and home.
• Combustion analysis. We measure for safe, efficient burns on gas equipment.
• Thermostat calibration and wiring check.
• Heat pump refrigerant and defrost verification.
• Boiler pressure, venting, and expansion tank inspection.

With our HVAC service plans, you can be assured that your heating system stays in great condition through regular checkups and cleanings. Plans can also qualify you for extra discounts, priority scheduling, and reminders before cold snaps.

Special Cases: Geothermal and Dual-Fuel Systems

We also install and service geothermal systems. Their controls are reliable but different.

• Verify loop pump power. A tripped breaker here will stop heating.
• Check air filter at the air handler and clean return grilles.
• Thermostat mode must match the equipment. Dual-fuel setups need correct switchover points.

If a geothermal unit locks out, do not keep resetting. The system is often protecting the compressor from low flow or temperature faults. We can diagnose quickly and restore safe operation.

When To Call a Pro Immediately

Call right away if you notice:

1. Any gas smell or repeated ignition failure.
2. Breaker trips more than once.
3. Water around the furnace, boiler, or air handler.
4. Loud bangs, grinding, or metal-on-metal sounds.
5. Carbon monoxide alarms.

Local note: Kokomo winters often swing from thaw to single digits in a day. That rapid change exposes weak igniters, borderline batteries, and dirty sensors. A quick checkup now beats a 2 a.m. emergency later.

Why Summers Is a Safe Bet in Kokomo

• 24/7 emergency response and same-day appointments.
• Price-match guarantee. We’ll match or beat any competitor’s price.
• Family-owned since 1969. Kokomo location opened in 2012.
• Licensed, background-checked technicians who service furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and geothermal systems.
• Transparent pricing and financing options.

Get back to warm, safe comfort with a team that has helped thousands of Indiana homes. We service Kokomo, Greentown, Tipton, Logansport, Frankfort, Wabash, Elwood, Fairmount, Flora, and Windfall.

Special Offers For Kokomo Homeowners

• Special Offer: Furnace Inspection No Breakdown Guarantee for $69. This Month Only. Schedule your inspection to prevent surprise breakdowns and improve efficiency.
• Special Offer: Free Service Call on Any Paid Repair. This Month Only. Mention this offer when you book.

Call (765) 252-0727 or schedule at https://www.summersphc.com/kokomo/ to lock in your savings today.

What Homeowners Are Saying

"Trevor was knowledgable, friendly, and professional. He checked my heating system out and answered all my questions along the way. Very helpful!"
–Homeowner, Kokomo

"Chris and Trevor were great! They got our furnace install done and made sure that I understood how it works and how the thermostat works! Great guys! Thanks Summers for you friend staff and fast and efficient service and install!"
–Homeowner, Furnace Install

"These people are great. They put in a new boiler for me... They came back (a year later) and spent almost a while day making it right. At no cost!!! The only people I would ever call."
–Homeowner, Boiler Service

"Oh furnace stopped working overnight so I had to call for an emergency service... he got to our house and had it back running within 10 minutes. He was so good we signed up for the yearly maintenance agreement."
–Homeowner, Emergency Furnace Repair

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I wait between turning the furnace Off and back On?

Wait at least 60 seconds after powering the furnace Off at the switch or breaker before turning it back On to let the control board fully reset.

Is it safe to press my furnace’s reset button more than once?

No. Press a reset once only. Repeated resets can flood gas or overheat components. If it trips again, call a licensed technician.

What if my heat pump blows cool air after a reset?

Give it 7 to 10 minutes. Heat pumps may enter a defrost cycle or compressor delay. If air stays cool, you may have a reversing valve or refrigerant issue.

Why does my heater run for a minute and shut off?

Short cycling often points to a dirty flame sensor, clogged filter, or a limit switch issue. Replace the filter and schedule service to diagnose safely.

Will a maintenance plan really prevent no-heat calls?

Yes. Regular cleanings, safety checks, and filter changes prevent most lockouts. Clean filters can also cut energy use by up to 15 percent, according to Energy.gov.

Bottom Line

A careful, safe reset solves many no-heat issues, especially after brief power blips. If your attempts fail or you smell gas, stop and schedule service. For fast help with how to reset heating system problems in Kokomo and nearby towns, call the local team that stands behind every repair.

Ready To Restore Heat Now?

• Call Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling at (765) 252-0727.
• Book online at https://www.summersphc.com/kokomo/
• Mention our $69 Furnace Inspection No Breakdown Guarantee or Free Service Call on Any Paid Repair to save this month.

Same-day service. 24/7 emergency help. Price-match guarantee. Warm, safe home today.

About Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling

Family-owned since 1969 with our Kokomo shop opened in 2012, Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling delivers same-day service, 24/7 emergency help, and a price-match guarantee. Our licensed, background-checked technicians service furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, and geothermal systems. We stand behind precision tune-ups, clean installations, and clear, honest pricing. Hundreds of local reviews back our work across Kokomo, Greentown, Tipton, and nearby communities. We’re the team homeowners trust when comfort and safety matter most.