When something’s wrong with your HVAC system, one of the first places to check is your thermostat. Most models use a digital display that will show a specific numerical error code. This error code can be used to help determine the problem and streamline the troubleshooting and repair process for HVAC systems like your furnace.
This is even easier with smart thermostats like the Lennox iComfort model. Let’s compare three serious error codes—411, 225 and 31—to learn what the problem is. We’ll also cover what steps your technician will take to fix the problem, and the potential costs to do so.
Solved: iComfort Error Code 411
Error code 411 is an urgent priority to resolve. You’ll see this error code appear when the outdoor unit’s low-pressure switch malfunctions five times or more across one heating or cooling cycle. Since this error code involves the outdoor unit, it might be involved with your air conditioner. Each time the low-pressure switch opens incorrectly, the error count increases. Once it reaches five strikes, the thermostat automatically switches down the outdoor unit. This is called a lockout and is a safety feature intended to reduce damage.
Fixing the Problem
A technician will inspect the system charge using several methods, as the issue may be with the switch’s power connections instead of the low-pressure switch itself. Once the cause has been found, technicians will reset the outdoor unit by putting it in test mode or by resetting low-voltage power. Once the issue is resolved, the error code should automatically clear.
Estimated Repair Cost
Swapping out a low-pressure shutoff switch can depend on the specific model of your outdoor unit. You could expect to pay between $200 to more than $600 depending on parts and air conditioning repair costs. The shutoff switch itself runs an average of $30 to $150.
Clearing Error Code 225
Error code 225 is specific to your furnace, particularly the high-pressure switch. This switch is a safety component that releases high pressure within the furnace, such as when airflow is obstructed. When this error code appears, it means the pressure switch can’t close. Without steady airflow and pressure, the furnace won’t perform as efficiently.
Fixing the Problem
The technician will check the high-pressure switch to evaluate how it functions. They’ll measure the pressure while it attempts to close during a heating cycle as well as its general operating pressure. If they recognize a problem, an obstruction impacting airflow is the most common culprit. There are several places to look, such as the vent and combustion air inducer. Technicians will check both these components as well as the condensate drain to find the blockage.
Estimated Repair Cost
Because there are multiple places to check before an obstruction can be found, labor costs should be considered when resolving error code 225. Ultimately, the final cost of this furnace repair will depend on where the problem is found as well as how long it takes the technician to identify the source.
Solving Error Code 31
Seeing error code 31 on your thermostat means it hasn’t been able to communicate with your furnace for more than three minutes. Multiple components communicate with the thermostat, so you can find this error code when any of them malfunction or fail. Most of the time this can be traced back to an electrical problem, like bad wiring or a loose connection.
Fixing the Problem
A technician can review all the connections and wiring of the communicating components of your furnace. They should test voltages and wiring ohms as particularly high resistance can lead to a disconnection. With a special tool called a multimeter, technicians can find out where the disruption originated from. Sometimes this is the furnace’s float switch, a component that shuts down the furnace when the condensate drain pan is overflowing.
Estimated Repair Cost
With multiple possible causes, it can be difficult to determine the total repair costs of error code 31. Technicians will check the float switch to rule it out before systematically reviewing electrical wiring and connections. If the cause is damage or a failed component, replacement part costs should be included. You might expect to spend anywhere from $200 to more than $800 for higher-range models.