Proper HVAC & furnace repair and maintenance are mandatory if you want to get the most extended life, best performance, and highest efficiency from your heating system.
Here at FurnacePrices.ca, we know that having a furnace isn’t the same thing as knowing about furnace maintenance, and there are plenty of homeowners out there who want to learn more about furnace repairs and upkeep for their heating systems.
An inadequately maintained furnace is also more likely to be red-tagged for safety reasons. Taking good care and having annual maintenance performed can ensure your furnace continues to operate smoothly and efficiently for years to come.
For that reason, we’ve created this comprehensive guide that will tell you everything you need to know about furnace maintenance services. Which includes common problems and questions, troubleshooting help, and even average repair costs.
*Please note, the following is for informational purposes only. Any servicing you attempt is at your own risk.
Table of contents
Furnace Repair Guides
Common Furnace Problems
1. Dirty filter
Dirty filters will result in a lower efficiency rating, reduced performance and heating capabilities, lower air quality, and a furnace that doesn’t last as long as it should. Furnace filters should be changed every one to three months.
2. Lack of maintenance
Your furnace has a lot of working parts, and for the unit to perform optimally and efficiently, these components have to be serviced regularly. A good rule of thumb is to have your heating system inspected and tuned up once a year by a certified HVAC technician.
3. The unit doesn’t heat/work
Plenty of things can cause this problem, from something as simple as the unit not getting power because a breaker tripped or fuse blew to something complicated like a faulty heat exchanger. Other possible causes include a defective thermostat or wrong thermostat setting, and problems with the gas line, ignitor, or pilot.
4. Improperly sized unit
When investing in a new heating system, a crucial consideration is the size of the unit and its heating output versus the size of the space you’re heating. If the furnace is too small, it will run constantly, cost a fortune to operate, and won’t keep your home warm enough. But a furnace that’s too large is also a problem because it will frequently cycle, allow your home to cool between cycles and increase humidity levels.
5. Improper installation
You spent a great deal of money on your furnace, so you’re going to want to make sure it’s installed properly, working well, and not going to need repairs in a few months because of installation errors. The only way to ensure the furnace is installed right is by hiring a trained and certified local contractor. This is especially important with gas furnaces because the last thing you want is a gas leak from a botched installation job.
6. Thermostat problems
Thermostats do break down, and when this happens, they aren’t able to properly control heating cycles. If you think your thermostat might be malfunctioning, replace it with a new one and make sure it’s adequately calibrated and set according to your comfort needs.
7. Dirty flame sensor
The flame sensor is a safety feature that prevents the furnace from exhausting gas when there’s no flame present. If this small metal rod gets dirty, it won’t be able to detect the flame and will shut the furnace down, resulting in a system that comes on when it should but then shuts down before it can heat the house.
8. Pilot problems
Older furnaces have a pilot light that stays burning all the time, and if it goes out because of a draft, clog problem with the thermocouple, or other reason, then the furnace won’t be able to do its job.
9. Fan motor
The fan motor powers the blades that circulate air around your house, and if the motor is faulty or breaks down, then the fan won’t operate at the right speed and won’t keep your home at the right temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
The average lifespan of a furnace is 13 to 20 years, with most lasting around 15. When your furnace is older than 10 years and no longer under warranty, you should consider upgrading to a new unit if your old unit requires significant repairs, especially to expensive components like the heat exchanger.
Signs that your furnace is on its last legs include:
Corrosion on the unit
The unit isn’t producing heat or isn’t producing enough heat
Odd or excessive noise
Delayed ignition after a call for heat has been made
This is usually because of the thermostat’s heat anticipator. Check the settings to make sure they’re correct, clean the inside of the thermostat, and replace the device if you think the thermostat is faulty.
Change the thermostat setting to Auto to prevent the fan from running when the furnace isn’t in a heating cycle.
Open the access panel and locate the flame sensor, a small metal rod near the pilot. Scrub it carefully with a non-abrasive pad to clean off dust, residue, and dirt.
First, check that the unit is getting power and that the breaker didn’t trip or a fuse didn’t blow. Next, check your thermostat to make sure it’s set to Heat and at a comfortable temperature. See that the access panel is attached correctly, otherwise, the safety switch might be engaged and preventing the furnace from operating. If you have a pilot light, make sure it’s burning.
The simplest and most common causes of this include a dirty air filter, improper thermostat setting, or a poorly sized unit. If the furnace isn’t heating at all, it could be a power/fuel supply issue, broken blower motor, malfunctioning heat exchanger, or problem with the pilot light or ignitor.
There are lots of issues that can cause your furnace to make funny sounds, and you may even be able to diagnose the problem based on the noise. For instance, a furnace that rattles, squeaks, or rumbles probably has a mechanical problem, such as a faulty belt or loose panel. Grinding noises often indicate a problem with the motor.
Turn off the furnace. Locate the filter, which is usually on the right side of the unit. Slide out the old filter and, using the arrows for guidance, slide the new filter into place. Turn the unit back on.
The good news about furnace maintenance is there are many simple things you can do that will extend the life of your heating system and keep it working optimally. For one, change the filter every one to three months (see below). You should also vacuum the blower and fan blades regularly to keep them free of dust, and inspect the vents from time to time to check for dirt and debris, and clean them as needed.
You can also check the chimney annually for cracks and damage, and inspect the fan belts to make sure they’re intact. You should also hire a certified technician once a year for inspection and servicing.
Furnace Repair Pricing and Parts
One thing you have to do as a homeowner is budget for furnace repairs and maintenance, so it helps to know what those repairs might roughly cost.
To help you budget for the various HVAC repairs, we’ve put together a general guide to furnace repair prices when you hire a contractor, followed by a description of the services (from least to most expensive):
- Average hourly rate for furnace service calls: $75 – $150/hour
- Annual inspection, thermostat repair, flame sensor or ignitor repair: $80 to $300
- Limit switch replacement, burner repair, or gas valve replacement: $115 to $470
- Replacing the thermostat, blower fan, or circuit board: $125 to $650
- Replacing the furnace motor or heat exchanger: $1,200 to $2,400
$80 to $300
Annual furnace inspection
When you schedule an annual inspection and maintenance, the HVAC contractor will:
- Check the air filter and replace it if necessary
- Clean the outdoor unit, including the fan blades, blower, and coil
- Check the thermostat and settings and calibrate it if necessary
- Inspect the unit for signs of wear and tear, cracks, damage, and other issues
- Ensure the furnace switch is working
- Lubricate moving parts
- Check the condensate drain and access vents for blockages
- Test airflow, the pilot or ignitor, gas or oil lines, and fuel pressure
Thermostat repair
The thermostat is the device that monitors the temperature in your home and communicates with the furnace to initiate and stop heating cycles. When there’s a problem with the thermostat, it might not initiate heating cycles, might cycle too frequently, and will cause erratic temperatures in your home.
Repairs to the flame sensor or ignitor
As well as becoming dirty, the flame sensor can also fail, and this will similarly cause the furnace to cycle on and off too quickly. A related problem involves the hot surface ignition, which is used in modern furnaces instead of a pilot to ignite the burners.
$115 to $470
Limit switch service
This is a safety device that’s responsible for shutting the furnace off should the system overheat. When a limit switch fails, it needs to be replaced. Otherwise, the furnace will cycle erratically.
Service to the burner
The burner is where fuel is burned to provide heat for your home. If the burner malfunctions, it will need to be repaired or replaced for the furnace to work.
Cleaning or replacing the gas valve
The gas valve controls the flow of gas (fuel) in your heating system. A dirty gas valve that’s clogged with dirt or residue will need to be cleaned, and a gas valve that stops opening will need replacement.
$125 to $650
Thermostat replacement
Sometimes thermostats malfunction or break down to the point where they can’t be repaired, and in those cases, they have to be replaced.
Repairing or replacing the blower fan
Once the burner heats the air, the fan blows it into the ductwork to be distributed around your house. When this component malfunctions, the fan isn’t able to circulate air properly.
Replacing the circuit board
The circuit board connects all the electrical components in the furnace, and it will need to be replaced if it becomes damaged or corroded, or otherwise malfunctions.
$1,200 to $2,400
Repairing or replacing the furnace motor
The furnace motor is what powers the fan that circulates air throughout your house, and it can malfunction or break, preventing the fan from working properly.
Repairing or replacing the heat exchanger
The heat exchanger is what heats the air that gets circulated around your house, so it’s one of the most important components in your furnace and also one of the most expensive to repair or replace if it gets damaged, cracks, or breaks down.
How to Perform HVAC Furnace Repairs
IMPORTANT: You should always call a professional for furnace repair and maintenance, with the exception of minor issues like changing your filter.
Basic Furnace Repair Tools
- Screwdriver to open the access panel
- New filter when replacing the old one
- Non-abrasive pad to clean the flame sensor
- Vacuum to clean the blower and fan blades
- New thermostat if the old one is faulty
Find a Certified HVAC Technician here
Furnace Repair Safety Tips
- Always have maintenance and repairs done by a professional
- Test your carbon monoxide detectors monthly if you have a gas, propane, or oil furnace
- Make sure the area around your furnace, including the air intake, is free of debris, furniture, clutter, and especially flammable items like wood, papers, and some chemicals
- Always read the owner’s manual before doing anything to your furnace, and follow all safety and repair instructions carefully
- If you smell gas, shut the unit off, open the windows, and get everybody out of the house immediately before calling your utility company or the fire department
- Use parts and replacement components that are made for your specific furnace
- If you suspect the heat exchanger is cracked, call a certified HVAC technician immediately, because it could lead to a gas leak (look for visible cracks, corrosion, and a clicking sound from the furnace when the blower shuts off)
HVAC Help and Maintenance – Who to Call
While you may have the urge to tinker with your furnace to get it working, you’ll want to get help from a trained professional.
During these times, you want a technician you can rely on, and that’s why we created our independent contractor certification program. With this program, you can find a trustworthy and dependable HVAC technician in your area who has all the right licences and certifications, training, experience, and more.
When choosing an HVAC contractor, we recommend checking that the company has:
- All the proper licenses & certifications
- Additional manufacturer training
- Experienced staff
- A good track record
- Adequate insurance
- Offers fair & transparent quotes
