Every time your thermostat calls for heat, the furnace runs a fixed checklist. The inducer motor starts and proves draft by closing a pressure switch, the hot surface igniter heats up, the gas valve opens, the burners light, and the flame sensor confirms there is fire. Only after all of that does the blower begin sending warm air into the house. Finding the step that fails is most of the job. Around Durham, NC, the usual failure points are an oxide-coated flame sensor, an igniter cracked by years of heating and cooling, a pressure switch that stays open because of a weak inducer or a clogged condensate trap on a high-efficiency unit, and control boards with burned relays. Each one halts the startup, and from the hallway they all look alike.
For air conditioning breakdowns, see AC Repair.
When to Call for Furnace Repair in Durham
Recognizing the warning signs early can save you time and money. These are the signals our technicians see most often:
- Grinding or high-pitched squeals from the blower
- The blower runs constantly but the air never warms
- The furnace clicks and glows but the burners never light
- Water, rust stains, or black soot around the flue or cabinet
- A pilot or burner flame that is lazy yellow instead of crisp blue
- Frequent on-off cycling that never reaches the thermostat setting
- Booming or banging at light-off from delayed ignition
- Repeated shutdowns just seconds after the burners light
Early Action Saves Money
Most HVAC failures start small, a weak capacitor, a squealing blower, a system that runs a little longer each week. Call (984) 213-5892 at the first sign of trouble.
