HVAC questions and answers for Pennsylvania homeowners
Updated · KeystoneProGuide editorial team
How often should a furnace or air conditioner be serviced?
Once a year for each. ENERGY STAR recommends a pre-season check-up by a contractor: the cooling system in spring and the heating system in fall, because contractors get busy once summer and winter arrive. For anything that burns gas, oil or coal, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also advises yearly service by a qualified technician as a carbon monoxide precaution.
What does a tune-up include?
ENERGY STAR's maintenance checklist lists checking the thermostat, tightening electrical connections, lubricating moving parts, checking the condensate drain and the controls, and cleaning the coils. For cooling it adds checking the refrigerant level. For heating it adds checking the gas or oil connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger.
How often should I change the filter?
Check it every month, especially in winter and summer. ENERGY STAR says to change it if it looks dirty after a month and, at a minimum, every 3 months. A dirty filter slows airflow and makes the system work harder.
How old is too old?
ENERGY STAR suggests considering replacement when a heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old or a furnace or boiler is more than 15, particularly if repairs are frequent and bills are going up. Age alone is a reason to have the system evaluated, not proof it has failed.
Can carbon monoxide come from my furnace?
Yes. The CDC says gas- and oil-burning furnaces produce carbon monoxide, a gas you cannot see or smell. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends battery or battery-backup CO alarms on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas. If an alarm sounds, the CPSC says do not look for the source: get outside to fresh air and call 911 or the fire department.
Do HVAC contractors need a license in Pennsylvania?
There is no state HVAC license. Most companies doing home heating and cooling installation must register with the Attorney General as home improvement contractors, technicians who handle refrigerant need federal certification, and Philadelphia has its own rules. Details are in what Pennsylvania requires of HVAC contractors.
Who is allowed to add refrigerant to my air conditioner?
Only a certified technician. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires Section 608 certification for anyone who adds refrigerant to, or removes it from, equipment like a home air conditioner or heat pump, or connects gauges to measure its pressure.
My old air conditioner uses R-22. Can it still be serviced?
Yes, but supply is limited to what already exists. The EPA says there has been no production or import of HCFC-22, the refrigerant usually called R-22, since 2020, while some use continues for servicing existing equipment. Ask your contractor what a recharge would cost before deciding whether to repair.
Do I need a permit to replace a furnace?
Usually. Pennsylvania's construction code regulation requires a permit to install or replace a gas or mechanical system in a home, though an ordinary repair does not need one. In an emergency the work can be done first if the permit application follows within 3 business days. Your municipality's building code office issues it.
What size system do I need?
That is a calculation, not a rule of thumb. ENERGY STAR says the contractor should size the system with Manual J, a calculation of how much heating and cooling your home needs. Equipment that is too large or too small will struggle to keep the house comfortable.
What is AFUE?
It is the efficiency rating for furnaces and boilers. ENERGY STAR defines it, in general terms, as the percentage of the heat in the fuel that becomes heat for the house instead of being lost. Pennsylvania is in ENERGY STAR's "U.S. North" region, where a certified gas furnace must be rated 97% AFUE or more.
Is there a federal tax credit for a new heat pump or furnace?
Not for new work. ENERGY STAR says the federal credits for efficient heating and cooling equipment ran through December 31, 2025.
What does a repair usually cost?
HomeAdvisor, a cost survey, reports an average furnace repair of $318, with most homeowners paying $133 to $505. Full price ranges for repairs and new systems are in the cost guide.
Is there help if I cannot afford heat or a repair?
Possibly. Pennsylvania's LIHEAP program offers cash grants toward heating bills, and its crisis grants can help when heating equipment is broken and must be fixed or replaced. The 2026-2027 season runs November 2, 2026 through April 23, 2027. Apply online through COMPASS or at your county assistance office.
Is a yearly maintenance plan worth buying?
It depends on what it adds. The Federal Trade Commission says a service contract is not a good value if it offers no more coverage than the warranty you already have. Before signing, check the price, any per-visit fees, what is excluded and whether coverage can be refused if you skip routine maintenance. The FTC notes that setting money aside in savings may be the better option for some households.
How do I find a contractor?
Start with how to choose an HVAC contractor, then look through the HVAC contractors directory page for businesses in your county.
Sources
- Maintenance Checklist, ENERGY STAR
- Heat & Cool Efficiently, ENERGY STAR
- When is it time to replace?, ENERGY STAR
- Air-Source Heat Pumps, ENERGY STAR
- Furnaces Key Product Criteria, ENERGY STAR
- Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning Basics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Section 608 Technician Certification Requirements, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Phaseout of Class II Ozone-Depleting Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- 34 Pa. Code § 403.62. Permit requirements and exemptions., Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania Code)
- Apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
- Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency, ENERGY STAR
- How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Furnace?, HomeAdvisor
- Extended Warranties and Service Contracts, Federal Trade Commission