Usually, when a furnace is not working ideally, there are always accompanying telltale or apparent signs.
Although the functionality may drop significantly, such as the furnace not keeping your house warm, you should always watch out for these signals to help curb them before they worsen.
For instance, you may get confused when you notice an orange light on your furnace and wonder what causes it. Now, that is what this article talks about.
A furnace produces an orange light when there is a buildup of dirt on its burner. However, if this orange light produces flickers and is unstable, it is indicative that the furnace is producing an incorrect mixture of oxygen and gas. So, you should put off your furnace as soon as you notice this.
What Does the Yellow Light on My Furnace Mean?
The yellow light appears on your furnace when the furnace remains in the high-fire mode for longer than usual.
Normally, high-fire mode operates within a short interval to heat a freezing house abruptly before returning. But the yellow light becomes evident when this mode does not go off after playing its role.
The only option remains to turn off the furnace and wait for it to cool off. However, in some furnace models, the yellow light indicates a fault with the blower fan.
If this is the case, the best move is to reset or turn off your furnace. If the issue causing the yellow light to display is a faulty blower fan, it is often because:
- Your furnace power is off, and you need to reset the furnace, or
- The furnace power is on, and you need to turn it off.
Either way, you can fix any of these issues by following the steps below. First, turn off the furnace system:
- Disconnect all the electric power connecting to your furnace. Turn off the gas valve and the circuit breakers that control your furnace system.
- Wait 15 minutes and turn on the circuit breakers and the gas valve. Then, connect your furnace to the power connections and turn on the heating system.
However, if you need to reset the furnace:
- Disconnect the electrical power connections to your heat system. Turn off the furnace circuit breakers and gas valve connected to your heating system.
- Allow the system to cool off for 15 minutes and turn on the circuit breaker. Next, disconnect the spark plug from the head of the burner for some 20 seconds and reconnect it.
- Switch on the gas valve and connect the furnace to electrical power.
What Are The Codes On a Furnace?
The most common furnace codes include yellow light codes, codes 33, 13, and 31. some of these codes often come as flash error codes, blinking two to three times.
The number of times the lights flash determines the error in the furnace. You can also inspect the diagnostic system at the furnace’s side to determine the fault.
Though the error codes differ with the furnace brand, most brands use a similar error communication system to convey the furnace error codes.
To interpret a furnace code, inspect the LED lights and take notes of the flashing pattern. Then, check the installation guide for your furnace product to determine what the error code signifies.
Some of these codes include:
#1. Yellow Light Codes
The yellow light mainly signifies that the furnace is on a high-five mode for longer than it should. It is often due to a defective gas valve coil.
The gas valve responds to an electric current to allow the passage of heat when the thermostat requests heat. If the gas valve is defective, you need to replace it since it is irreparable.
#2. Code 33
This error code signifies a reset code indicating that the furnace roll-out switch was reversed. The switch is an electric safety lock that turns the furnace off and prevents overheating.
When you notice an issue on your furnace, consult your brand manual for specific directions to reset the furnace roll-out switch.
#3. Code 13
This code indicates a limit switch lockout. The limit switch is a safety switch that kicks on when a lighting malfunction occurs in the furnace burner.
Though the switch often flips when the airflow vent is clogged or the limit switch is defective, it can also be due to a gas flow issue.
Therefore, it is advisable to contact a professional to inspect the problem.
#4. Code 31
This error code indicates an issue with the pressure switch. This problem can occur if the condenser coils are dirty or the switch is faulty.
Turn off the heating system and check the condenser coils for debris to fix the issue. Carefully clean the coil if you notice any dirt. If the error persists, replace the pressure switch.
Other issues that might cause flashing error codes include:
- Blower motor malfunctioning due to dirty furnace filter or faulty blower motor
- Switched voltage polarity occurs due to an unstable furnace-panel connection or a control panel fault.
#5. Furnace Error Led Lights
Another way to detect errors in your furnace is the LED light color pattern. You can use this system to check if your system is burning efficiently. It is essential to monitor these lights from your diagnostic panel if any issue arises.
Here are some of the LED light display colors and their meaning:
#1. Blue Light
It indicates that your heating system is working efficiently with no problems. Any other color signifies an issue with the furnace system.
#2. Green Light
Green lights signify that the furnace is only working at low fire mode. This error code will not allow the room to heat correctly.
Due to the error, the gas valve opens narrowly, heating the room at low heat, which is risky during cold winter.
#3. Orange Light
This light display indicates that dust and debris particles are filling the heating system burner, thereby reducing the amount of gas the furnace needs to generate.
#4. Red Light
This color indicates that your furnace system does not have sufficient gas to maintain the flame. This issue is usually due to a dirty filter, a defective high combustion pressure, or a burner.
How Do You Reset the Code on a Furnace?
Resetting the code in your furnace is a straightforward procedure to troubleshoot your furnace’s simple issues.
It involves disconnecting your furnace, checking its faults, and turning it back on after a while. With resetting, you can save unnecessary expenses on professional repairs.
These issues are often due to dirty filters or faulty pilot lights, and you can fix them by resetting your furnace.
Follow the steps below to reset the code on your furnace:
Step 1– Disconnect Power and Open Furnace Panel
Turn off the power switch at the side of your heating system. Next, switch off the furnace circuit breaker by flipping the power switch on the fuse box.
Wait about five minutes for the power components to turn off and open the furnace front panel.
Step 2– Inspect Your Furnace Unit
Remove the furnace air filter to determine how dirty it is. If it is too dirty, you need to replace it., If you use an oil furnace, check the oil tank gauge to see if the oil in it is full.
Turn the heat on your thermostat, so the furnace will turn on when you reboot it. After inspecting the panel, secure the air filter correctly and close the system’s front panel.
Step 3– Restart the Furnace
Switch on the furnace circuit breaker, and wait for 10 to 20 seconds. Then, turn on the electrical connections to your furnace and allow it to restart in 30 to 45 minutes.
Next, check the diagnostic panel at the front or side of the furnace to read the diagnostic light. A steady green light code shows that the furnace is running without issues.
Conclusion
The orange light in your furnace indicates the accumulation of debris in your furnace burner. This issue can reduce the amount of oxygen and gases your furnace system generates.
You can either reset the heating system or turn it off. Contact an HVAC professional to inspect and fix the issue.
