The Coleman furnace brand has been around since the late 1950s. They have a fairly good selection of quality furnaces for homeowners and businesses alike. Operation is pretty simple for the furnaces, but in case you're wondering how to power one on, you've come to the right place. We have researched how to turn on a Coleman furnace as well as perform other operational tasks. In this post, we will discuss them.
Here are the steps to turn on your Coleman furnace:
- Check the air filter
- Do a quick inspection
- Flip the power switch
- Adjust the pilot light as needed
Understanding how to operate your furnace is crucial when it's time to replace a part or deal with an operational issue. And while Coleman furnaces are pretty reliable, like other brands, these units will run into issues as they get higher in the years. Continue reading to learn more about how to operate these units.
Steps To Turn On A Coleman Furnace
If you are operating your furnace for the first time since its installation or at the start of the season, it helps to have the instructional manual by your side. Not only will the instruction manual help you if you experience issues, but it can also assist you with locating specific parts inside of the unit.
The Coleman brand has several furnace models, including high-efficiency models and energy star-rated models. However, the operation for the furnaces is typically the same. Let's look at how to start them.
1. Check the air filter
It's always a good idea to check the air filter before operating the furnace additionally or at the start of the season. The air filter in Coleman furnaces is located on the side of the furnace behind the control panel.
If you look at the instructional manual, you will see the diagram that displays exactly where you can replace the air filter. Take the current filter out and ensure that it is clean. If it is dark grey or black, replace it with a new filter before turning the furnace on.
2. Do a quick inspection
It's always a good idea to inspect the furnace first to ensure that it is free of gas leaks and debris around its base. As you look around the base of the furnace, smell the area near the floor to check for gas. Also, check for any water around the base of the furnace, which can be a sign of a leak in the condensate line.
If you smell any gas, do not turn the furnace on. Check the gas line to see if the valve is detached from the line. If you notice any water leaks, try to find the source of the leak. If there is a crack in the condensate line, it'll need to be repaired before you start the furnace.
3. Flip the power switch
Next, locate the power switch, which should be on the side of the furnace, and flip it up or down, as determined by a label. The furnace should kick on immediately, and if it doesn't, go and check the thermostat. If it does, stand there for about 3 to 5 minutes to listen for any strange sounds or noises, as this can be a sign of a component failure.
Be sure that the thermostat is in the "On" position and set to a temperature above the current temperature in the home. If the thermostat is set to "Auto," then the furnace will only turn on when the temperature of the home reaches the desired set temperature. If you notice that the pilot light does not turn on, check your user manual to determine how to re-light it.
4. Adjust the pilot light as needed
Sometimes the pilot light setting will be too low for the desired temperature. If this is the case, most pilot lights can be adjusted by simply turning a screw on the pilot valve. To do this, you'll need to reach inside the access panel and remove the cover using a screwdriver. You should be able to turn the valve counterclockwise to increase the flame.
As you can see, powering the unit on is fairly simple. But just in case you need a visual, here is a video to see how it's done:
Where is the Reset Switch on a Coleman furnace?
The reset button on a Coleman furnace is located in the middle of the control panel. Their specific location is in the middle of the upper and lower limit switches. The upper limit switch will allow you to do a manual reset and the lower limit switch allows for an automatic reset. To access the switches, unscrew the screws located on the sides and top of the control panel instead of the side.
You should see both switches on the inside of the panel connected to four sets of wires. The color of the wires would typically be red and yellow. However, it's best to refer to your user's manual to identify them.
To reset the furnace, first, make sure that the furnace's power switch is in the "Off" position. Next, press the reset button, which is in the middle of the limit switch. Then flip the power switch back to the "On" position.
What is the Limit Switch on a Coleman furnace?
The limit switch is a safety component that's designed to prevent electricity from reaching the gas valve in the event that the furnace overheats. If the furnace overheats, the high temperatures can cause significant damage to the internal components. This may present a fire hazard. The limit switch will cause the furnace to automatically shut off before this happens.
Why Does my Furnace Limit Switch Keep Tripping?
There are four common reasons why a high limit switch will trip. Let's take a look at them.
The flame sensor is dirty
First, if the flame sensor is dirty or faulty, the high limit switch can be tripped. The sensor can become coated with debris and soot over the course of the years. You can clean the sensor using a piece of sandpaper, or you can simply replace the part altogether.
Airflow issues
Next, the reduction of airflow from the blower chamber can also cost a high limit switch to trip. This happens when air isn't pushed out of the unit fast enough. And if it does happen, the furnace will quickly overheat. Be sure to change your air filter regularly to prevent this.
The blow chamber is dirty
Next, a blower chamber full of debris can also cause the unit to overheat. Dirt and soot inside the chamber can slow down the blower and reduce the amount of airflow within the heat exchanger. The best way to prevent this is to have the furnace on an annual maintenance schedule where a technician can clean and inspect it annually.
The limit switch needs replacement
And sometimes, the limit switch is simply too old or faulty to function properly. When this happens, the switch will trip at temperatures that are too low, or it may cause the unit to short cycle and trigger a lockout. A limit switch itself only costs about 15 to $35 and can be purchased from any furnace reseller.
How Do I Know if my Limit Switch is Bad?
A limit switch that constantly trips is the biggest sign that there are issues with the part. But you should do a bit of troubleshooting before replacing the part. This includes checking the furnace filter to ensure that it is clean and free of debris. It also includes checking the pilot flame sensor and burner chamber to ensure that they are clean and free of soot and debris.
Lastly, you may want to have a technician test the blower motor to see if it is working. The fan does not turn on at all; the issue is with the motor and not the limit switch. If the blower motor is functioning and the air filter is clean, it's highly likely that the limits which is the issue.
How Do you Turn Off a Coleman Furnace?
To turn off a Coleman furnace, find the power switch which is located on the side of the control panel. Simply switch the switch to the off position.
Wrapping Things Up
Coleman furnaces are affordable and complete with innovative technologies. We hope this post has helped explain how to power these furnaces on and off. And if you run into any issues, it's best to refer to your user manual to troubleshoot them before reaching out to a technician. Doing so may save you hundreds of dollars in repair costs.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other posts: