You wake up on a cold Pennsylvania morning, turn up the thermostat, and nothing happens. Before assuming your furnace, boiler, or heat pump has failed, there are several simple things homeowners can safely check. Some no-heat problems have easy explanations. Others require professional HVAC repair.
10 Things to Check Before Calling an HVAC Company
1. Check your thermostat
Start with the simplest possibility. Make sure your thermostat is set to Heat and the temperature setting is higher than the current room temperature. If your thermostat uses batteries, replacing them may also be worth trying.
2. Check the furnace or HVAC power switch
Many furnaces have a nearby wall switch that looks similar to a standard light switch. Make sure it has not accidentally been turned off.
3. Check the circuit breaker
Look at your home's electrical panel for a tripped breaker associated with the furnace, boiler, heat pump, air handler, or HVAC equipment. If a breaker continues tripping after being reset, do not repeatedly reset it. Contact an HVAC professional.
4. Check your air filter
A severely restricted air filter can interfere with airflow and system operation. If your HVAC filter is visibly dirty, replacing it may help. You can buy filters on our online store and have them shipped right to your home!
5. Make sure vents are open
Walk through your home and make sure supply and return vents are not blocked by furniture, rugs, curtains, or boxes. Restricted airflow can contribute to heating problems and uneven temperatures.
6. Check your fuel supply
If your home uses heating oil or propane, check whether you have fuel available. Running out of fuel is an easy problem to overlook during the first cold stretch of the year.
7. Look at the outdoor heat pump
If you have a heat pump, check the outdoor unit. Make sure it is not blocked by leaves, debris, heavy vegetation, or other objects. Do not attempt to open or repair the equipment yourself.
8. Listen for unusual sounds
Is your equipment clicking repeatedly, humming, banging, or attempting to start without running? Make a note of what you hear. That information can be helpful when explaining the problem to your HVAC technician.
9. Check whether the system is running at all
There is a difference between:
- Equipment that will not turn on
- Equipment that runs but does not produce heat
- Equipment that produces some heat but cannot maintain temperature
Knowing which situation you're experiencing can help an HVAC technician begin troubleshooting.
10. Know when to stop troubleshooting
Homeowners should stick to simple, safe checks. Do not disassemble heating equipment, bypass safety controls, work on gas piping, or attempt electrical repairs unless you are properly qualified. If you smell gas, suspect carbon monoxide, see smoke, or believe there may be an immediate safety concern, leave the area and contact the appropriate emergency or utility service.
Professional No-Heat Repair in Bucks County, Philadelphia and Delaware Valley
If you've checked the basics and your home still does not have heat, ECI Comfort can help. Our HVAC technicians provide furnace repair, boiler repair, heat pump service, and no-heat troubleshooting throughout Bucks County and the Philadelphia area.
Contact ECI Comfort to schedule heating repair and get your home's comfort back on track.
