Furnace Repair
Delivering Reliable and Affordable Heating and Furnace Repair Every Time
For Furnace Repair and Heating Maintenance, call us to diagnose and fix the issue. Our technicians swiftly source and replace parts at a competitive price, ensuring a smooth and stress-free process for our customers. Stay warm and comfortable in your home with our heating repair services.
Heating & Furnace Repair
Heat Pump Installation & Repair
Furnace Installation
Smart Home Thermostat
Offering Full-Service Furnace Repairs
Your home’s furnace is crucial for your family’s comfort. Don’t suffer through the cold winter with a furnace that isn’t performing well; trust our experienced contractors to diagnose the problem and maximize heating power. Contact our helpful and professional furnace repair experts today for reliable services.
Furnace Repairs
When you first identify a heating issue, it’s important to call us right away. The earlier we can fix the problem, the less likely it will develop into a costlier furnace repair. At Upstate Home Maintenance Service, we offer South Carolina’s most comprehensive heating maintenance and repairs because we know the importance of finding and detecting heating problems early on.
Here are some common signs To know when to call:
A Strange Noise
Most of us don’t pay too much attention to our heating systems. The most common way that people learn about issues with their heating system is when it just stops working! However, a better way of telling if your heating system isn’t working correctly is if it starts making noise. Pay attention to any sounds because they can sometimes indicate harmful and dangerous problems, such as carbon monoxide leaks. If you hear rumbling, rattling, or other scary sounds from your heating unit, contact us for furnace diagnostics and furnace repair as these can indicate carbon monoxide or fuel leaks, and even minor leaks can be a significant problem.
No Heat or Low Heat
If your heating system isn’t giving off enough heat or if it’s producing no heat at all, call Upstate Home Maintenance Service today. Sometimes, these problems can be as simple as the filter needs to be replaced. Still, at times it can be an indication or result of a more complex issue needing professional furnace repair, like the fan motor, a thermostat issue, a handler, or an internal component breakdown.
Our Furnace Maintenance
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Furnace Repair Service frequently asked questions
Why is my heating running but not warming?
Other less common causes include a tripped circuit breaker, a blown fuse, or an extinguished pilot light (in the case of combustion heaters).
How do I reset my heating system?
Resetting a furnace is a relatively simple procedure. The first thing that you need to do is to shut off the main gas supply to the furnace using the handle on the main gas pipe. With the pilot light gas supply turned on, introduce an ignited match to relight the pilot flame. Hold it there for a few seconds before turning the main gas supply back on. Finally, locate the reset button and hold it down for 30 seconds to rest the system.
How long is the lifespan of a furnace?
How do I know if I need a new furnace?
If your furnace exhibits visible signs of rust or cracks and is over 20 years old, you should look to invest in a new unit for health and safety reasons.
Is it worth upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace?
Your decision on whether to upgrade will depend on how efficient your current furnace is. Still, you can make some considerable savings on your energy bill with a high-efficiency furnace.
What should I do if I smell gas?
However, if you notice a strong smell of gas that is persistent or getting stronger, you should call in a professional to take a look at your furnace unit as soon as possible. The same applies if you detect a strong rotten egg odor coming from your vents.
Natural gas is both poisonous and flammable, and if a potential leak is not investigated, it could present a significant health and safety issue.
How much does it cost to fix a heating system?
The most expensive part to replace on a furnace is usually the heat exchanger, which can cost between $500 – $1,200.
What do I need to do to maintain my furnace?
How do you troubleshoot a furnace?
If you have a problem with your furnace, you should take the following course of action to identify the problem:
- Clean or replace the furnace filter.
- Verify that the thermostat is functioning correctly and has battery left.
- Make sure the furnace is switched on, and the circuit breaker has not been tripped.
- Check that the pilot is lighted. The flame should be blue – if it is yellow, the inside of the furnace has likely been contaminated with dust.
- Make sure the front panel is secured, and all vents and registers are open.
What is the cost of installing a new furnace?
If you are replacing or installing a furnace for the first time, the cost of furnace installation will typically range between $2,572 and $6,219. The average cost amounts to around $5,000. This price includes equipment, materials, and labor.
The price quoted above can vary depending on the type of furnace you install. Gas models are typically more expensive than electric models because of the increased complexity of the system.
What are some common problems that cause a furnace to stop working?
If your furnace has stopped working, it may have one or more of a number of problems. Some of the most commonly occurring of these problems include the following:
- Dirty filter
- Ignition or pilot problems
- Malfunctioning thermostat
- Frequent cycling
- Insufficient heating
- Excessive noise
- Blower that runs continuously
If your furnace is exhibiting any of these problems, you should call out a licensed HVAC contractor today to diagnose and repair your system.
Attempting a repair on your own without adequate training or experience can be risky due to the complicated nature of how a furnace works.
What does the ENERGY STAR® logo mean?
The program is designed to provide consumer information regarding energy use across a wide range of electrical appliances and goods.
The presence of the ENERGY STAR® logo on your furnace or other HVAC equipment means that its energy efficiency exceeds minimum federal standards.
Furnaces that are endorsed by this program will potentially perform better, use less energy, and cut down on your monthly energy bills.
What type of furnace is most energy-efficient?
There are several different types of furnaces that you can choose from. However, most people opt for either an electric or gas-powered furnace.
When it comes to energy efficiency, electric furnaces tend to be more efficient than gas-powered ones. Some of the better electric models come with an annual fuel-utilization-efficiency (AFUE) rating as high as 100 percent.
Gas-powered furnaces tend to have AFUE ratings of between 55 and 97 percent. This lower energy efficiency is the result of heat that is lost through a gas furnace’s flue or other areas.
How often should I get my furnace serviced?
A full service is an important part of maintaining your furnace and ensuring that it remains functional for when you need it. A technician will perform a thorough examination and cleaning of the parts that commonly cause malfunction, including the fan, filter, pilot light, and heat exchanger.
What type of furnace filter should I use?
You should look to replace your filter every three months.
When choosing a new filter, you should pay close attention to MERV ratings (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value). This rating works as a guide to how effective the filter is at removing particles from the air.
The highest MERV rating is 16, while the lowest is 1. Filters with a 16 rating will remove almost all fine particulate matter and allergens from the air.
How much does it cost to have a furnace repaired?
However, you will usually have to pay between $131 and $469 for a repair service, with a national average of $296. Electric furnaces are typically cheaper to fix than gas furnaces due to the increased complexity of gas systems.
Typical labor costs will usually come in between $75 and $100 an hour, depending on the rates charged by the contractor.
How long does a typical furnace last?
If you are unsure of how old your furnace is, take down the manufacturer’s serial number written inside the unit. With this number, an HVAC professional can tell you your unit’s age and service history.
If your furnace has a long service history and is over 15 years old, it may be time to consider investing in a new one.
What can I do to maintain my furnace?
Regular furnace maintenance is essential to keep your heating system operational throughout the year.
An effective maintenance regime will include the following steps:
- Regularly cleaning and replacing the filter
- Checking the thermostat is functioning
- Cleaning the blower
- Cleaning blower ducts and vents
- Inspecting the fan
If you discover the presence of a problem while doing this, you should call in a trained HVAC professional before you attempt any repairs yourself. It is easy to damage the parts in a furnace if you have no or little prior experience.
What is a modulating furnace?
A modulating furnace differs from a conventional furnace in a number of ways. Instead of cycling on and off in accordance with the thermostat, a modulating furnace has the ability to adjust the level of heat it produces.
This allows it to remain on constantly, reacting in real-time to the changes in indoor temperature throughout the day and night.
One of the main advantages of a modulating furnace is that it requires the production of less heat to maintain a steady temperature in the indoor environment.
This makes it more energy-efficient and cost-effective, as well as quieter when it is running. Modulating furnaces also come with a number of useful settings to help increase indoor comfort.
Heating Repair Best Practices
The HVAC system in your home is a major investment. Not only does it cool your living space in the hotter months, but it also plays a central role in heating it in the winter. Purchasing and installing a brand-new heating system is expensive, so it’s always a good idea to keep your existing system in good working order for as long as possible.
HVAC systems are made up of two different subsystems: cooling and heating. The heating system will typically consist of a furnace or boiler connected to a pipe system or ductwork. Sometimes, this system will also be responsible for heating the water as well. Heating systems that are incorrectly installed or maintained will often fall into disrepair. When this happens, certain best practices should be adhered to in order to ensure that the needed furnace repair optimizes energy efficiency, reduces energy costs, and supplies the space with sufficient heating.
While it is almost always a good idea to seek the advice of a licensed HVAC contractor when you suspect you need a furnace repair, there are a few simple troubleshooting tips and best practices you can try to resolve the issue on your own before giving us a call.
Check the Thermostat
If you find that your thermostat is already set on “heat,” try opening it up and blowing gently on the sensor to clear away any dust that may be causing it to register the wrong temperature. If this fails, you may want to try replacing the battery.
Reset the Circuit Breaker
Check your circuit breaker. Circuit breakers exist in every house and are usually located in the attic or basement. Their purpose is to protect the electric circuits in the home from electrical surges. A circuit breaker can trip when the house’s circuit is supporting a greater electrical load than it is designed to carry. To reset your circuit breaker, find the switch that corresponds to the HVAC unit (it should be clearly labeled). If you find it in the “Off” position, simply flip the switch. If your furnace does not ignite, but you suspect a problem with the circuit breaker, try replacing the fuse. If the heat still isn’t working, you likely need a furnace repair.
Check or Change Filter
If your furnace is ignited but fails to produce enough heat, it may be a result of a dirty or clogged air filter. A clogged filter is one of the most common issues we see with malfunctioning HVAC systems. Fortunately, replacing the filter is easy to do yourself. First, locate the filter. It is often housed inside a grate in a ceiling, floor, or wall. Occasionally, the filter is located inside the furnace itself. Remove the filter and check for dust by holding the filter up to the light. If the filter appears to be clogged, you should replace it with a new one. A clean filter is essential to the functioning of an HVAC system as it allows adequate airflow. When the filter is blocked, the system has to work harder to produce the same temperature, which reduces energy efficiency and the lifespan of the system.
Examine the Burner Flame
Check Your Heating Vents
When to Call a Professional
The measures described above are advisable as a first step. However, more serious issues will likely need attention from a furnace repair specialist.
Common problems that we see that are more serious than those mentioned above include heating or rapid cycling issues, continuously running blowers, and gas leaks. In most cases, repairing these issues should not be attempted by anyone but a qualified HVAC technician. If an improper repair is applied or a broken part is not replaced, the furnace can become a health and safety risk for you and your family.
If you want to ensure that your heating system is ready to use whenever you need it, do not let it fall into a state of neglect. Without a responsible maintenance routine, even the most advanced furnaces will develop issues that can quickly become a cause for concern.