From the hallway, a furnace that will not heat looks the same no matter what broke. Inside the cabinet, though, everything happens in a strict order: inducer on, pressure switch closed, igniter glowing, gas valve open, burners lit, flame proven, and finally the blower moving heat through the ducts. Most of the diagnosis comes down to finding the broken link. In Antelope homes, it tends to be the same handful of culprits: a flame sensor coated in oxide, a hot surface igniter cracked by thermal cycling, a pressure switch held open by a tired inducer or a plugged condensate trap, or a control board with a burned relay.
For air conditioning breakdowns, see AC Repair.
Warning Signs for Furnace Repair
Catching these issues early helps you avoid costly problems. Watch for these telltale signs:
- Loud booms at startup caused by delayed ignition
- Repeated shutdowns just seconds after the burners light
- Squeals, scrapes, or grinding noises behind the blower door
- Air moving through the vents that never gets warm
- Clicking and a glowing igniter with no burner flame
- Rust streaks, soot, or water around the cabinet or flue
- Yellow, wavering burner flames where they should be sharp blue
- A furnace that shuts off every few minutes before the house warms up
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. If you notice any of these signs, call (279) 236-7624 for a prompt inspection.
