Furnace Repair Checklist
1. Examine the Thermostat
To start, make certain that your thermostat is signaling your heat to ignite.
Digital Thermostat
- Change the batteries if the display is not displaying anything. If the digital display is jumbled, the thermostat might need to be swapped out.
- Make certain that the control is on “heat” rather than “off” or “cool.”
- Make certain the program is set to the correct day and time and is programmed to “run.” If you’re having problems overriding the program, regulate the temperature with the up/down arrows and holding the “hold” button. This will cause the furnace to turn on if thermostat is causing trouble.
- Turn the temperature setting to 5 degrees above the room temperature.
If your heating hasn’t turned on within several minutes, ensure it has electricity by moving the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If the fan doesn’t begin to run, your heater could be without 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. Check the manufacturer’s website for support. If you’re still unable to get your Wi-Fi thermostat to operate, reach us at 717-216-0846 for heating and cooling service.
2. Examine Breakers and Switches
Next, verify your breaker and furnace switch are on.
- Find your main electrical panel. If you aren’t sure where it is, search for a silver metal box in your basement, garage or closet.
- Make certain that your hands and feet aren’t moist prior to opening the panel or breakers.
- Locate the breaker titled “furnace” or “heat,” and double-check it’s moved to “on.” If you discover a tripped breaker, it will be in the middle or “off” area.
- Using one hand, quickly switch the breaker to the “on” position. If the breaker immediately trips and pops back to “off,” don't try to reset it and contact a team member from County Line Mechanical LLC at 717-216-0846 immediately.
Regardless of your furnace’s age or brand, it has at least one ordinary wall switch situated on or close to it.
- Ensure the switch is flipped up in the “on” position. If it was turned off, expect your furnace to take up to five minutes to turn on. (If you’re unaware of where to locate your furnace, check your basement, garage or utility closet. It could also be in a crawl space or attic.)
3. Get a New Air Filter
When we consider heater problems, a filthy, clogged air filter is regularly to blame.
If your filter is too grungy:
- Your heater won’t be able to stay on, or it might get too hot from limited airflow.
- Your energy costs might go up because your heat is switching on too often.
- Your heating system may fail sooner than it should since a filthy filter forces it to work harder.
- Your heater may be cut off from power if an excessively dirty filter causes the breaker to trip.
Based on what type of furnace you use, your air filter will be in the interior of the blower compartment of your heater, an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
To swap out your filter:
- Cut the power to your heater.
- Remove the filter and hold it up to the light. If you can’t see light through it, get a new one.
- Install the new filter with the arrow facing toward the heater to avoid damage.
Flat filters should be replaced every month, while pleated filters should last about three months. If you have children or pets, you may have to change your filter sooner.
To make the procedure go more quickly down the line, draw with a permanent marker on your furnace exterior or ductwork to show the airflow direction and filter size.
4. Check the Condensate Pan
Also known as drain pans, condensate pans hold liquid your furnace pulls from the air.
If water is dripping from your heating system or its pan has standing water in it, follow these recommendations.
- If your pan includes a drain (look for a PVC pipe), check that it isn’t clogged. If it needs to be drained, drop in a special pan-cleaning tablet you can buy at home improvement or hardware shops.
- If your pan contains a pump, take a look at the float switch. If the button is stuck “up” with standing water in the pan, contact us at 717-216-0846, because you will likely need a new pump.
5. Watch for Heating Error Codes
If faults persist, peek within your furnace’s plastic window to confirm the blower motor’s status. Dependent on the type, the light may also be attached on the exterior of your heater.
If you notice anything else besides an uninterrupted, colored light or blinking green light, reach us at 717-216-0846 for HVAC service. Your heater might be emitting an error code that requires specialized service.
6. Scrub the Flame Sensor
If your furnace tries to start but shuts off without blowing heat, a filthy flame sensor could be at fault. When this takes place, your heater will attempt to ignite three times before a safety device shuts it down for approximately an hour.
If you feel okay with taking the panels off your heating system, brushing off your flame sensor is work you are able to do yourself. Or, one of our heating service experts can do it for you.
If you are confident cleaning the sensor personally, you need:
- A 1/4” hex screwdriver or wrench
- Section of light grit sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth
- An unused paper towel
Next:
- Shut off the heating system’s power through its wall switch or breaker. If your furnace’s gas valve isn’t electric, you have to shut off the gas along with it.
- Lift off the furnace’s front panel and follow the wire to the flame sensor.
- Unscrew the rod and use your sandpaper, steel wool or emery cloth to carefully clean the metal rod.
- Clear the rod with a paper towel.
- Screw the sensor back in.
- Replace the furnace doors.
- Restore power to the furnace. It could proceed through a sequence of checks before resuming regular running. If your heating system doesn’t start, the sensor could need to be replaced or something else might be causing a problem. If this takes place, contact us at 717-216-0846 for heating and cooling repair support.
7. Light the Pilot Light
If you own an older heating system, the pilot light could be turned off. To light it, find the guide on a sticker on your heater, or follow these steps.
- Locate the lever beneath your furnace marked “pilot,” “on” and “off.”
- Turn the switch to the “off” position.
- Wait at least five minutes to avoid creating a fire.
- Move the knob to “pilot.”
- Push the “reset” lever as you bring the flame of a long lighter to the pilot light opening.
- Let go of the “reset” switch once the pilot light is lit.
If you have followed the instructions twice and the pilot light still won’t ignite or keep ignited, contact us at 717-216-0846 for furnace service.
Inspect Your Energy Supply
Try using another gas appliance. If it doesn’t function, your natural gas source could be shut off, or you might have run out of propane.