Furnace and heating repair in Danville

Danville winters are milder than much of Virginia, but January nights still average below freezing (Wikipedia). When the heat goes out, here's what to check and when to call.

Smell gas, or a carbon monoxide alarm is sounding? Leave the house right away and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Don't flip switches or try to find the problem yourself.

Quick checks

1. Thermostat set to Heat, set a few degrees above room temperature, with fresh batteries.
2. Furnace switch. There's usually a light-switch-style power switch on or near the furnace. Make sure it's on.
3. Breaker for the furnace.
4. Filter. A clogged filter can make a furnace overheat and shut itself off.
5. Furnace door. Many furnaces won't run if the access panel isn't seated properly.
6. Gas supply. If you have other gas appliances, are they working?

Common furnace problems

• No heat at all: ignition or flame sensor problems, a failed inducer motor, safety switch trips, control board failures
• Short cycling: dirty filter, dirty flame sensor, overheating, thermostat location
• Blowing cold air: burner not lighting, thermostat fan set to On instead of Auto
• Loud bangs, rumbling or squealing: delayed ignition, blower or motor problems. Have it checked.
• Yellow or flickering burner flame (on gas furnaces, where visible): can indicate a combustion problem. Call for service.

Carbon monoxide safety

Fuel-burning appliances can produce carbon monoxide if something goes wrong. Make sure you have working CO alarms on every level of the home and near sleeping areas, test them regularly, and have fuel-burning heating equipment inspected by a professional, ideally before each heating season.

Heat pumps with electric backup

Many homes heat with a heat pump plus electric backup heat instead of a gas furnace. If that's your setup, see heat pump repair.

Hiring for heating repairs

• Ask for the diagnosis and price before work begins.
• Ask whether the failed part is under warranty.
• For jobs over $1,000, Virginia requires a state contractor license. Check it on the DPOR License Lookup.