How to Turn on Heater in House | Step by Step Guide with Images

By Eddie A. Frye Last updated Jun 2, 2023

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When the weather is cold, a wall heater is a popular way to heat a home or office. There are natural gas and electric wall heaters on the market that are simple to operate. Nevertheless, each unit has a unique mechanism for activation that varies by model. Let’s learn how to turn on heater in house.

Here are the steps to activate your apartment’s gas or electric wall-mounted heater.

How to Turn on Heater in House

Locate the On/Off Switch for the Heating Unit.

The pilot light is typically located behind the vents, making it easy to identify. If you are using the heater for the first time, you may need to remove or completely open the burner cover.

It is easy to find it and then insert the key.

Behind the metal plate, the pilot lights of the heater are visible. Therefore, locating the pilot will require using a flashlight or other illumination source.

Ignition Process: Use a wall-mounted electric heater

After locating the pilot light, you must find the thermostat dial on the heater. Turn the “Pilot” dial and press the “Ignite” button to start a new heater. To repeatedly press the button until you see a spark will take some time.

Press the button for several seconds once the pilot light begins to flicker. Hold on for several seconds before letting go.

This is the first step to igniting the fire.

Once you turn up the dial, ignite the primary burner of the heater. This action will result in the burner beginning to ignite. Cover the heater’s opening with a cloth until further notice.

A system that uses natural gas for heating

Find and press the heater’s “Pilot” button. Several seconds must pass before you can release the switch.

Press the button until you see the spark

Press the same button a second time to initiate the pilot. If your furnace is older, you must light it with a match. The heater’s light should blink a few seconds after pressing the button. To turn the burner on, turn the knob to the “ON” position.

Work with Temperature Setting

The electric thermostat permits temperature regulation. Some heaters have digital displays, while others improved this function with dials or manual spin.

Set the temperature you need

As a result, the thermostat maintains either an excessively low or excessively high temperature. Therefore, we recommend temperatures between 70 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Verify that the thermostat has the appropriate temperature.

The most obvious solution for a furnace that won’t turn on in heating system troubleshooting is frequently overlooked. It is common knowledge that people neglect their heater’s thermostat, which measures the room’s temperature and permits fine-tuning. Typically, you can find temperature sensors above a light switch on one of your home’s primary walls.

If you don’t see the thermostat activated, the furnace will not know when to start it. Verify that the display is on, the stove is on, and the thermostat is ready to the heat position. While dusting or performing other household chores, keep an eye out for the thermostat switch to turn it from the “on” position.

To determine if your furnace is on, raise the temperature to a level that will activate it. Depending on the thermostat, this setting differs. If the heat does not start after one minute, significantly increase the temperature setting.

Ensure the gas is working.

Every gas furnace has a valve or gas cock within six feet. Furnace valves typically consist of a small disk and a small handle or lever. The shapes of valves range from small boxes to index-finger-sized levers (often brightly colored).

Be careful about gas odors.

Someone working on the furnace may have closed the valve accidentally or forgotten to reopen it. The handle should be parallel to the pipe if a gas valve is in the open position, indicating gas flow. Valve designs differ depending on the manufacturer. The valve will likely be closed if the handle is parallel to the pipe. Turn a small handle counterclockwise until it is perpendicular to the pipe.

Consider this aspect as well.

If the gas valve on a stove or fireplace does not work, try another gas-powered appliance in the home. If your other gas appliances do not operate, your home may be without gas. This could result from a gas leak, a break, a blockage, or even crews working on the gas line. Call 911 immediately if you suspect a gas leak, and follow the instructions from emergency personnel.

To understand the situation, open both the street-side and house-side valves. By resetting your gas valves to “open” or “on,” you can restore gas service to your home (as described above). Contact your utility company to determine if there have been any service interruptions if your furnace and other gas appliances will not start. If this is not the case, please review your account’s status. If a utility bill is not paid in full or is not received at all, a technical error or lapse in judgment may result in an interruption of service.

Ensure that the system is functional.

You may be surprised that your gas or electric heater has an on/off switch. Check to see if the light is turned on. Verify that the breaker that supplies power to your heating system is in the “On” position by inspecting your electrical panel.

Examine the Thermostat

First, ensure that “Heat” or “Auto” is selected on your thermostat. Turn the thermostat up if that doesn’t get the warm air flowing. Check back a few minutes to see if the furnace has begun operating.

Pilot Light Examination

A dirty or malfunctioning pilot light is one of the most typical causes of a gas furnace’s failure to ignite. However, if you have mechanical knowledge, you may feel more comfortable fixing the issue than the average person. The first step is to turn off the furnace’s power and natural gas supply. If you want to activate the pilot light, remove and open the front panel of the appliance. To remove the pilot light, refer to your owner’s manual for instructions.

Using sandpaper with medium grit, gently clean the pilot light to remove debris. To reactivate the furnace, you must reconnect the pilot light, replace the panel, and activate the gas flow. If the furnace continues to malfunction, it is time to call in the experts.

Confirm that the furnace uses natural gas. If your furnace is not turning on, verify that fuel is being delivered to the appliance. Turn the gas control valve to the “On” position.

Bottom line

When your furnace does not turn on, you may be tempted to call in the big guns and throw in the towel. Before becoming a pro, take a deep breath, straighten your shoulders, and try some do-it-yourself techniques. A clogged filter, a misplaced switch, or the unfortunate incident in which the dog ingested the bill could be to blame.

If none of these solutions work, you may need to hire a professional to assess the situation.

Is your heating system inoperable? Why doesn’t your heater work? Simply put, you cannot afford it! Here are some troubleshooting tips for your home’s heating system.

Verify that the air filters are in good condition.

Extremely soiled filters are capable of completely obstructing airflow. Maintain clean HVAC filters or replace them as necessary, and ensure that all vents in your home are unobstructed and open.

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