When homeowners search for the Rheem furnace reset button location, they’re usually not doing it out of curiosity. They’re cold, frustrated, and staring at a furnace that stopped working at the worst possible time. I’ve been in this industry long enough to know that most reset-button searches come after repeated shutdowns, mystery lockouts, or a system that simply refuses to cooperate.
In this article, I want to do two things. First, I’ll clearly explain what the Rheem furnace reset button is, where it’s typically located, and how to reset a Rheem furnace safely. Second—and more importantly—I’ll explain why these reset-button problems are far less common in modern electric systems like the Goodman MBVK electric furnace, and why many homeowners are making the switch.
This isn’t about brand loyalty. It’s about system design, safety, and long-term reliability.
What the Rheem Furnace Reset Button Actually Does
The reset button on a Rheem furnace is not a convenience feature. It’s a safety control.
In gas furnaces, including many Rheem models, the reset button is usually tied to one of the following:
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A high-limit switch
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A rollout switch
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A blower motor overload
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A control board safety lockout
When the furnace senses a condition that could damage components or create a safety hazard, it shuts itself down. The reset button allows the system to restart after that unsafe condition has cleared.
The key point most homeowners miss is this:
If you have to keep resetting your furnace, the furnace is doing its job. Something else is wrong.
Rheem Furnace Reset Button Location: Where Homeowners Usually Find It
The Rheem furnace reset button location depends on the model and whether the furnace is gas or electric, but in most residential gas furnaces, it’s commonly found in one of these places:
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Inside the burner compartment
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On or near the blower housing
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Mounted directly on the limit switch assembly
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Integrated into the control board (no physical button)
In many Rheem gas furnaces, the reset button is a small red or black button mounted on the high-limit switch. You usually have to remove the access panel to see it.
This is one reason so many homeowners struggle. The reset button isn’t labeled clearly, and it’s not meant to be used casually.
According to guidance from the manufacturer’s safety documentation available through Rheem’s official support resources, repeated resets indicate airflow or combustion problems that require professional diagnosis.
How to Reset a Rheem Furnace Safely
If you’re going to reset a furnace, you should do it correctly. Here’s the safe, technician-approved process I recommend:
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Turn off power to the furnace at the breaker
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Wait at least 5 minutes to allow components to cool
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Remove the access panel
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Locate the reset button (if present)
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Press firmly once — never repeatedly
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Replace the panel and restore power
If the furnace runs normally afterward, monitor it closely. If it trips again, stop resetting it. At that point, you’re masking a problem—not fixing it.
The U.S. Department of Energy makes it clear in its residential heating guidance that frequent furnace shutdowns are usually related to airflow restrictions, overheating, or failing components rather than control issues alone, as outlined in their heating system safety overview.
Why Rheem Furnaces Trip Their Reset Buttons
In the field, I see the same causes over and over again:
1. Restricted Airflow
Dirty filters, undersized ductwork, or closed registers cause heat to build up inside the furnace. The high-limit switch trips to prevent damage.
2. Failing Blower Motor
If the blower can’t move enough air, heat builds up fast. This is one of the most common causes of reset trips in older Rheem systems.
3. Cracked Heat Exchanger
This is serious. A cracked exchanger can cause abnormal temperature readings and safety shutdowns.
4. Control Board Malfunctions
Electrical issues can cause false trips or lockouts.
Every one of these issues points to the same reality: gas furnaces rely on multiple layered safety systems because combustion is inherently risky.
Why Electric Furnaces Don’t Rely on Reset Buttons the Same Way
This is where the Goodman MBVK electric furnace enters the conversation.
Electric furnaces don’t burn fuel. There’s no flame, no combustion chamber, no exhaust, and no carbon monoxide risk. That fundamentally changes how safety is engineered into the system.
The MBVK uses:
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High-limit switches
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Thermal protection on heat strips
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Advanced blower motor controls
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Integrated safety logic on the control board
But unlike gas furnaces, these safeties rarely require manual resets. Most conditions auto-reset once normal operating temperatures are restored.
This is one of the biggest differences homeowners notice after switching.
Inside the Goodman MBVK Electric Furnace Design
The Goodman MBVK isn’t just an electric furnace—it’s a modular air handler with integrated electric heat, designed for efficiency and reliability.
Key design features include:
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Variable-speed ECM blower motor
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Factory-installed electric heat kits
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Modular cabinet for tight installations
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Quiet operation with consistent airflow
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Simplified electrical safety architecture
Goodman’s engineering approach prioritizes preventing faults instead of relying on reset buttons to recover from them.
According to technical performance data published by Goodman Manufacturing, the MBVK platform is specifically designed to minimize nuisance shutdowns caused by airflow imbalance or thermal stress.
Comparing Reset Issues: Rheem Gas Furnace vs. Goodman MBVK Electric Furnace
| Feature | Rheem Gas Furnace | Goodman MBVK Electric Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Combustion | Yes | No |
| Reset Button Dependence | Common | Rare |
| Carbon Monoxide Risk | Present | None |
| Blower Technology | PSC or ECM | ECM Variable Speed |
| Safety Shutdowns | Manual reset often required | Auto-reset in most cases |
| Maintenance Complexity | High | Low |
This is why many homeowners searching for how to reset a Rheem furnace eventually start searching for replacement options instead.
Reset Buttons Are Symptoms, Not Solutions
I want to be clear about something:
A furnace that needs frequent resets is not “temperamental.” It’s warning you.
Repeatedly pressing a reset button can:
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Mask airflow problems
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Accelerate component failure
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Increase fire risk in gas systems
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Lead to expensive emergency breakdowns
Modern electric systems like the MBVK are designed to avoid these scenarios entirely through better airflow management and simplified safety logic.
Maintenance Differences That Matter
Rheem Gas Furnace Maintenance
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Annual combustion inspection
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Heat exchanger evaluation
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Flame sensor cleaning
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Draft and venting inspection
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Filter changes every 1–3 months
Goodman MBVK Electric Furnace Maintenance
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Filter replacement
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Visual electrical inspection
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Blower performance check
That’s it. No burners. No flame sensors. No exhaust piping.
Consumer education resources from HVAC.com consistently show that electric furnaces have fewer emergency service calls related to safety lockouts compared to gas systems.
When Reset Button Searches Lead to System Replacement
In my experience, homeowners start Googling rheem furnace reset button location after the second or third unexplained shutdown. After the fifth, they’re asking whether it’s time to replace the system.
If your furnace:
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Trips the reset repeatedly
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Shuts down during cold weather
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Requires constant attention
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Is over 12–15 years old
Then replacing it with a modern electric platform like the Goodman MBVK is often the smarter long-term move.
Retail HVAC distributors such as The Furnace Outlet have seen increasing demand for electric furnaces specifically from homeowners frustrated with recurring gas furnace reset issues.
Final Thoughts from Tony Marino
Reset buttons exist to protect you—but they’re not meant to be used often.
If you’re spending time searching for the Rheem furnace reset button, figuring out the Rheem furnace reset button location, or repeatedly asking how to reset a Rheem furnace, the real issue may not be the button at all. It may be the system design behind it.
The Goodman MBVK electric furnace represents a different philosophy: fewer failure points, safer operation, and far less dependence on manual intervention. For homeowners who value reliability, simplicity, and peace of mind, that difference matters.
If you want heat that works without drama, fewer emergency calls, and a system that doesn’t rely on a hidden reset button to survive winter, electric deserves serious consideration.
