Coming home to a cold house on a chilly Pennsylvania day can be a stressful and aggravating experience. While many tasks involving HVAC equipment should be handled by licensed professionals, there are a few easy troubleshooting methods that could save you some time and frustration.

If your heater isn’t turning on

Make sure Your Thermostat is set to Heat

Yes, it sounds obvious, but if you’re not looking for the small stuff like this, it can be easy to overlook. It’s easy enough for someone to accidentally set the thermostat to the wrong setting without noticing.

Check Your Filters

Dirty and clogged filters can sneak up on you, especially if you haven’t been paying attention to regular furnace maintenance. Dirty filters not only cost you money in the form of lost efficiency, they can also lead newer equipment to shutting down altogether. If you can find your filter, pull it out and replace it if it’s clogged with debris. The new component will not only get your system running again, but will improve its efficiency and help remove irritants from the air.

Make Sure You’ve Got Power

Check your thermostat to make sure it’s on. If it isn’t you may need to replace its batteries or trip the breaker to get the unit up and running again. Similarly, check your circuit breaker to make sure your heating equipment is getting electricity. Even gas systems still often need a power supply for their sensors and fans.

One last place to check for power is the furnace switch - this is a separate switch located on or near the furnace that controls power to the equipment. Make sure this has not been switched to off.

Anything beyond these basic troubleshooting steps may require some more in-depth knowledge of your home’s gas systems and your furnace’s particular configuration. If you’re comfortable working with this kind of equipment, you can find how to light your pilot light (For older furnaces) or find model-specific troubleshooting guides in your furnace’s owner’s manual. Always remember, working with this equipment can be dangerous, and HVAC technicians go through extensive training to be able to work on and repair these essential home systems.

Call A Professional

If you’ve gone through the troubleshooting methods outlined here and your home’s heating system still won’t turn on, call the experts at R&D Heating, Cooling, and Electric today. Our trained professionals will be able to diagnose and repair your furnace quickly and at a fair price. We provide emergency services as well as easy, affordable financing options so you won’t be left in the cold.