Heat pump or furnace? That is the first thing that matters when the heat quits in Warren, MI, because the two fail in completely different ways. Heat pumps tend to freeze up when defrost stops working, get stuck in cooling when a reversing valve fails, or quietly lean on the electric backup strips, at several times the normal operating cost, when the outdoor unit dies. Gas furnaces typically come down to the flame sensor: once oxide coats it, the burners light but the flame cannot be proven, so the board cuts the gas and locks out after three tries. After that, we most often find cracked hot surface igniters, stuck pressure switches, clogged condensate traps on high-efficiency models, and blower motors at the end of their life.
Most of our service calls are for Furnace Repair. Start there if your system isn't running right.
Warning Signs for Heating Repair
Spotting the early warning signs lets you act before the problem gets expensive. Watch for these telltale signs:
- An outdoor heat pump coil that stays iced over
- A rotten-egg, burning, or musty smell once the heat kicks on
- The thermostat calls for heat but the vents blow cold air or nothing
- Booming or banging at ignition, a sign of delayed burner light-off
- Some rooms warm while others stay stubbornly cold
- Energy costs climbing even though the house feels colder
- A furnace that tries to light, clicks, and then quits
- The system starting and stopping every few minutes without warming the house
Act Before It Gets Worse
A failing capacitor, clogged condensate drain, or dirty flame sensor rarely fixes itself and usually gets more expensive to address the longer it runs. If you notice any of these signs, call (586) 204-2356 for a prompt inspection.
