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 Grand Junction, CO, the usual failure points are a flame sensor fouled with oxide, 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.
When the AC quits in summer, see AC Repair.
Warning Signs for Furnace Repair
Recognizing the warning signs early can save you time and money. These are the signals our technicians see most often:
- The blower runs constantly but the air never warms
- The furnace clicks and glows but the burners never light
- A furnace that shuts off every few minutes before the house warms up
- Rust streaks, soot, or water around the cabinet or flue
- A bang or boom when the burners ignite late
- Burners light, run a few seconds, then shut down repeatedly
- Squeals, scrapes, or grinding noises behind the blower door
- A flame that burns soft and yellow rather than steady blue
Don't Wait for a Total Failure
A failing capacitor, clogged condensate drain, or dirty flame sensor rarely fixes itself and usually gets more expensive to address the longer it runs. Don't wait, call (970) 602-4920 and we'll take a look right away.
