Igniter
Most gas furnaces built since the 1990s light the burners with a hot surface igniter instead of a standing pilot. Igniters crack with age, and the furnace stops lighting.
Furnace Repair Services
ICS Heating & Air Conditioning repairs gas furnaces in Allentown and across the Lehigh Valley.
Signs your furnace needs repair
Most furnace problems start small. Call ICS if your furnace shows any of these signs:
- No heat, or the furnace won't turn on
- Cold or lukewarm air from the vents
- The furnace starts and stops every few minutes
- The burners light, then shut off
- Banging, squealing or rattling noises
- Some rooms much colder than others
- Gas bills rising without colder weather
- A blinking light on the furnace's control board
If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off or you smell gas, get everyone out of the house and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
What happens on a repair visit
ICS offers same-day service. Call the office at (610) 432-8070, Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM, or send a repair request. Our technicians are NATE-certified and train with Bryant as part of its Factory Authorized Dealer program.
We find the cause
The technician checks the thermostat, ignition, flame sensor, safety switches, blower and venting to find out why the furnace isn't heating.
You get the price first
We explain the problem and what the repair costs before any work starts. You decide whether to go ahead.
We make the repair
Our technicians carry common parts like igniters and flame sensors, so many repairs are finished on the first visit.
We check that it's safe
Before we leave, we run the furnace through a full heating cycle, check the venting and test for carbon monoxide.
Common furnace repairs
Most no-heat calls on a gas furnace trace back to one of these parts.
Flame sensor
The flame sensor confirms the burners lit. When it's coated with residue, the furnace lights and shuts off a few seconds later. Cleaning or replacing it is a quick repair.
Inducer motor
The inducer motor clears exhaust from the furnace before the burners light. A failing one gets loud, and the furnace won't start without it.
Pressure switch
The pressure switch confirms the venting works before the furnace lights. A blocked vent, a cracked hose or a failed switch keeps the burners off.
Blower motor
The blower pushes heated air through your ductwork. A weak motor or a failed blower capacitor means little or no air from the vents.
Control board
The control board runs the furnace's startup sequence. Age and power surges damage it, and its blinking light code often tells us what went wrong.
Clogged air filter
A blocked filter is one of the most common causes of furnace trouble. It chokes the airflow, the furnace overheats, and a safety switch shuts it down.
See our reviews
Dave SLocal Guide · 27 reviews · 3 photosG“We called ICS and even with a full schedule they were able to visit the same day.”
Dina ByrdLocal Guide · 32 reviews · 3 photosG“Very impressed!! They were willing to come out same day and they are efficient and affordable. Highly recommend”
Rod Davis6 reviews · 1 photoG“I have been a customer for the better part of 20+ years. Trust them completely with all my heating and AC work.”
LKLocal Guide · 76 reviews · 47 photosG“They sent a couple techs out this morning. They identified and fixed the problem and saved us from a sweltering day and gave us relief from the terrible heat!”
Jennifer Roscher3 reviewsG“Prices are reasonable and they won’t try to “upsell” you on anything you don’t need, which is always appreciated.”
Jodi Eslinger1 reviewG“Their pricing is very reasonable and their technicians are very professional and courteous.”
Joshua Edelman22 reviews · 25 photosG“Instead of upselling me on a brand new air conditioner like the other heating and cooling companies tried to do, he performed an honest capacitor replacement and had my AC running like new within an hour of diagnosis.”
Lauren Coker8 reviews · 5 photosG“Their pricing is fair, and I always feel confident that they’re giving me honest recommendations and taking the best care of my home.”
Michael Schrey4 reviewsG“The price was very reasonable and the workers professionalism and friendliness was spectacular.”
Keith BendelLocal Guide · 11 reviewsG“Installed my boiler and made sure everything works well. Dave came to service my system and was quick and knowledgeable.”
Matthew Rohrbach1 reviewG“Had my water heater replaced by ICS. Great customer service, communication, and absolute professional work all around.”
Michael Harden12 reviewsG“The entire team was knowledgeable, thorough in their explanations, and maintained a clean workspace throughout the project. They also removed the oil tank efficiently and without any odor.”
Frequently asked questions
How soon can you come out?
ICS offers same-day service. Call the office at (610) 432-8070, Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. When the heat goes out at night or over a weekend, existing customers can reach our answering service 24/7.
Why is my furnace blowing cold air?
First check that the thermostat is set to Heat and the fan to Auto, not On. If the air is still cold, the furnace may not be lighting. A dirty flame sensor, a failed igniter and a clogged filter are the usual causes.
Why does my furnace turn on and then shut off?
Short cycling usually comes from a dirty flame sensor, a clogged filter that lets the furnace overheat, or a thermostat problem. Have it checked, because constant restarts wear out parts.
Does my furnace have a pilot light?
Most gas furnaces built since the 1990s use an electronic igniter instead of a standing pilot. If yours has a pilot that keeps going out, a worn thermocouple is a common cause.
How much does furnace repair cost?
It depends on the part. Cleaning a flame sensor or replacing an igniter costs much less than a new blower motor or control board. You get the price before any repair starts.
Should I repair or replace my furnace?
Gas furnaces usually last about 15 to 20 years, so one past 15 is near the end of its expected life. A cracked heat exchanger can let carbon monoxide into your home, and on an older furnace replacement is the usual fix. Furnaces from the 1990s and earlier often turn 80 percent or less of their gas into heat, while a new 90%+ furnace wastes far less. Weigh the repair against the furnace's age, too: an igniter or flame sensor is worth fixing on almost any furnace, but a new control board or blower motor on a 20-year-old furnace usually isn't. See furnace installation and financing.
What should I do if my carbon monoxide alarm goes off?
Get everyone out of the house and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Don't go back in until the source is found. Once it's safe, we can inspect the furnace and venting.
Do you repair boilers too?
Yes. ICS repairs, maintains and replaces gas boilers. See boiler repair and installation.
Request service
No heat? Call ICS
Call the office at (610) 432-8070 or send a repair request, and we'll get a technician out.
1732 W Fairmont StAllentown, PA 18104
Get directions
Get directions
Office(610) 432-8070
Office hoursMonday to Friday: 9 AM to 4 PMSaturday and Sunday: Closed
EmergenciesExisting customers can reach our answering service 24/7 for emergency repairs.