Heat pump or furnace? That is the first thing that matters when the heat quits in Santa Rosa, CA, 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. If something has stopped working, start there.
Warning Signs for Heating Repair
Catching these issues early helps you avoid costly problems. Keep an eye out for the following clues:
- Uneven heat, with certain rooms that never warm up
- A furnace that tries to light, clicks, and then quits
- A heat pump's outdoor unit encased in frost or ice
- 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
- The system starting and stopping every few minutes without warming the house
- A loud boom when the burners light, which points to delayed ignition
- Energy costs climbing even though the house feels colder
Act Before It Gets Worse
Most HVAC failures start small, a weak capacitor, a squealing blower, a system that runs a little longer each week. At the first hint of a problem, call (707) 210-0204 for a fast inspection.
