Furnace Repair Checklist
1. Examine the Thermostat
To begin, make certain that your thermostat is telling your heat to ignite.
Digital Thermostat
- Swap out the batteries if the monitor is empty. If the digital screen is jumbled, the thermostat may need to be swapped out.
- Make certain that the control is switched to “heat” as opposed to “off” or “cool.”
- Make sure the program is displaying the right day and time and is programmed to “run.” If you’re having a hard time overriding the schedule, adjust the temperature with the up/down arrows and pressing the “hold” button. This will cause the furnace to ignite if thermostat is causing an issue.
- Increase the temperature setting to 5 degrees hotter than the temperature of the room.
If your heating hasn’t turned on within a few minutes, make certain that it has electricity by switching the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the fan doesn’t begin to run, your furnace may not have power.
Smart Thermostat
If you have a smart thermostat—for example one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch—troubleshooting is very model-specific. Take a look at the manufacturer’s website for support. If you aren’t able to get your Wi-Fi thermostat to operate, reach us at 484-646-3363 for heating and cooling service.
2. Inspect Breakers and Switches
Next, verify your breaker and furnace switch are on.
- Locate your main electrical panel. If you have no idea where it is, keep an eye out for a metallic metal box in your basement, garage or closet.
- Make certain that your hands and feet aren’t moist prior to using the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker titled “furnace” or “heat,” and ensure it’s moved to “on.” If the breaker has tripped, it will be in the middle or “off” spot.
- Using one hand, firmly turn the breaker to the “on” position. If the breaker instantly trips and pops back to “off,” don't try to reset it and contact an expert from Moyer Total Indoor Comfort at 484-646-3363 immediately.
It doesn’t matter how old your furnace is or what brand it is, it has at minimum one regular wall switch situated on or by it.
- Ensure the lever is flipped up in the “on” spot. If it was shut off, expect your furnace to take up to five minutes to start. (If you don’t know where your furnace is located, check your basement, garage or utility closet. It could also be in a crawl space or attic.)
3. Replace the Air Filter
When it comes to furnace issues, a filthy, full air filter is often the top offender.
If your filter is too dirty:
- Your heating system won’t be able to stay on, or it may get too hot from reduced airflow.
- Your utility costs could go up because your furnace is working too often.
- Your heat may fail prematurely since a dirty filter triggers it to overwork.
- Your heating can be disconnected from power if an excessively dirty filter is the cause of a tripped breaker.
Depending on what make of furnace you use, your air filter will be within the blower compartment of your furnace, an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
To replace your filter:
- Cut the power to your heater.
- Pull out the filter and angle it toward the light. If you can’t view light through it, use a new one.
- Put in the new filter with the arrow facing toward the furnace to keep damage from happening.
Flat filters ought to be replaced every month, while pleated filters should last about three months. If you have children or pets, you could have to put in a new filter more frequently.
To make changing your filter easier in the future, use a permanent writing tool on your heating system housing or ductwork to indicate the airflow direction and filter size.
4. Inspect the Condensate Pan
Otherwise known as drain pans, condensate pans capture water your heater removes from the air.
If liquid is leaking from your heating system or its pan is overflowing, follow these recommendations.
- If your pan contains a drain (look for a PVC pipe), double-check that it’s clear. If it requires draining, drop in a special pan-cleaning tablet you can purchase at home improvement or hardware retailers.
- If your pan contains a pump, check the float switch. If the lever is jammed “up” with water in the pan, reach us at 484-646-3363, because you will likely have to get a new pump.
5. Watch for Heater Error Codes
If malfunctions persist, take a look at your furnace’s plastic window to check the blower motor’s status. Subject to the brand, the light may also be attached on the surface of your heater.
If you see anything except a solid, colored light or twinkling green light, call us at 484-646-3363 for HVAC service. Your heating system may be emitting an error code that needs expert help.
6. Scrub the Flame Sensor
If your heating system tries to run but switches off without putting out heated air, a grimy flame sensor might be at fault. When this occurs, your furnace will attempt to start three times before a safety device shuts it down for approximately an hour.
If you feel confident with taking the panels off your furnace, cleaning your flame sensor is a job you can do on your own. Or, one of our heating service experts can complete it for you.
If you are fine with cleaning the sensor yourself, you require:
- A 1/4” hex screwdriver or wrench
- Bit of light grit sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth
- An unused paper towel
Then:
- Disable the heating system’s power with its wall switch or breaker. If your furnace’s gas valve isn’t electric, you have to switch off the gas in addition.
- Lift off the heater’s front panel and track the wire to the flame sensor.
- Unscrew the rod and use your sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth to lightly clean the metal rod.
- Clear the rod with a paper towel.
- Put the sensor back in.
- Secure the furnace doors.
- Switch the furnace’s power back on. It may go through a sequence of checks before continuing usual running. If your heating system doesn’t ignite, the sensor may need to be replaced or something else might be causing a problem. If this occurs, call us at 484-646-3363 for heating and cooling repair assistance.
7. Light the Pilot Light
If you are using an older heater, the pilot light could be extinguished. To light it, look for the steps on a sticker on your furnace, or follow these guidelines.
- Find the switch below your heating system marked “pilot,” “on” and “off.”
- Move the switch to the “off” position.
- Wait at least five minutes to prevent creating a fire.
- Move the switch to “pilot.”
- Hold down the “reset” switch as you bring the flame of a long lighter to the pilot light opening.
- Release the “reset” button once the pilot light is lit.
If you have gone through the guide twice and the pilot light still won’t burn or remain ignited, call us at 484-646-3363 for furnace service.
Check Your Energy Supply
Try turning on another gas appliance. If it doesn’t work, your natural gas service may be shut off, or you could be out of propane.