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If you’ve ever had furnace issues, you understand how stressful they can be. Dealing with a furnace that doesn’t work is frustrating, to say the least, so naturally, you’ll want to troubleshoot your problem promptly. Learning how to bypass a pressure switch on a furnace can be an advantageous skill in that regard. SM Mechanical Services, serving Glastonbury, CT, and the surrounding towns, is here to inform you about the dos and don’ts when it comes to your pressure switch, including whether you should even attempt to bypass the switch in the first place. Below, we’ll explain how to stay safe during the troubleshooting process and when it may be best to call in an expert.
What To Consider During a Furnace Safety Switch Bypass in Glastonbury, CT
Your furnace may not be working for any number of reasons, one of them being a malfunction of your pressure switch. However, while it is easy to consider bypassing the pressure switch to keep the furnace working and your house warm, you must consider that the pressure switch is a safety feature. Simply disabling it to keep a furnace functioning is dangerous. On the other hand, doing so to detect whether this is the only problem is a valid troubleshooting method.
How To Stay Safe While Bypassing Furnace Pressure Switches
If you must bypass a pressure switch on your furnace, it’s best to take multiple precautions. When disabling the pressure switch, remember the following:
- Carbon monoxide presents risks: Because your furnace operates by burning fuel, excess carbon monoxide can be released into your living areas. While disabling the pressure switch, ensure your space is open and able to be ventilated. Try to keep your time with the pressure switch override to a minimum.
- Pressure switches protect you: Just as disabling a smoke alarm keeps it from helping you, disabling a pressure switch keeps it from serving its purpose. Even if there isn’t enough air for your furnace to run, with the pressure switch off, your furnace will continue to operate. This not only risks problems like overheating, but it can also lead to damage to your furnace or your home. Try to determine whether the issue is with your pressure switch or not as quickly as possible when disabling it for testing.
- Furnaces use power: When you disable a pressure switch, your furnace uses more power than normal. This is precisely why a pressure switch override on heaters isn’t a permanent solution to your problem. Only disable a pressure switch as a temporary measure, as doing this all the time can lead to a higher energy bill.
- Overheating leads to furnace issues: If your pressure switch is off, your furnace can easily overheat. Overheating, even for a furnace, can shorten the machine’s natural lifespan. Nobody wants to pay out of pocket for a furnace repair, but a furnace replacement is a completely different issue that is considerably more expensive.
- Your warranty doesn’t cover tampering: DIY projects and warranties don’t usually mix. If you’re planning to handle an issue by overriding a pressure switch, be aware that this will void your warranty. This is why professional furnace repair in Glastonbury can be a great help.
Steps To Bypass Your Pressure Switch on a Furnace
If you want to bypass your pressure switch on a furnace, use the following steps as a starter guide:
- Disconnect the pressure switch: To bypass your pressure switch, you’ll need to disconnect it first. Start by disconnecting one of the wires from the pressure switch.
- Connect the jumper wire: From here, you can connect your disconnected wire to your jumper wire.
- Turn on the furnace: Once connected, attempt to turn the furnace on. With the jumper wire connected, you’ve successfully bypassed the pressure switch. Once the furnace starts, you’ll know the bypass was successful.
- Align all wires: Connect the jumper wire to the other pressure switch wire. If there are issues with your furnace, they will be evident outside the pressure switch.
- Let the furnace run: Once you’ve bypassed the pressure switch, allow the furnace to run for some time. Remember that this is a temporary solution to your problem, not a permanent way to run your furnace.
- Observe your machine: Now that the furnace is running successfully, give it time. If the problem with your furnace lies within the pressure switch, then you’ll notice no issues as it runs. If it’s with something else, it will soon become apparent when your furnace stops working.
Steps To Take If Your Glastonbury, CT, Furnace Isn’t Working
If you’re having problems with your furnace, there are a few things you can do to stay safe instead of bypassing the pressure switch on your own:
Invest In a Carbon Monoxide Detector
One of the dangers of a malfunctioning furnace is the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, making a detector all the more important in a household. Even if you aren’t planning on bypassing the pressure switch, this investment can be useful and save lives in the long run.
Get Your Fix Handled By a Professional
Instead of risking harm with a DIY project, why not get professional help? SM Mechanical Services will gladly help with your furnace, HVAC system, furnace board, or pressure switch when needed.
Stay Safe With SM Mechanical Services
Don’t risk your safety when a simple fix will do. Now that you understand how to bypass a pressure switch on a furnace, you also understand how dangerous it can be. If your pressure switch is defective or something else is wrong with your furnace, call a professional to fix it immediately. Our trained technicians can diagnose your problem expertly and with zero risk. While a home solution is more convenient, our services ensure your furnace is up and running quickly.
Call SM Mechanical Services at 860-530-2632 for expert furnace repair and installation today!