Heat pump or furnace? That is the first thing that matters when the heat quits in Dundalk, MD, 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 usually 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
The sooner you notice these red flags, the easier and cheaper the fix. These are the signals our technicians see most often:
- 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
- A heat pump's outdoor unit encased in frost or ice
- A furnace that tries to light, clicks, and then quits
- Higher heating bills with less comfort to show for them
- Short cycling every few minutes while the house stays cold
- Banging at startup caused by burners lighting late
- Cold rooms in one part of the house while others are comfortable
Don't Wait for a Total Failure
What seems like a minor issue today can take out a compressor or heat exchanger tomorrow. If you notice any of these signs, call (443) 293-9736 for a prompt inspection.
