Heat pump or furnace? That is the first thing that matters when the heat quits in Bellingham, WA, 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 typically 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.
The repair homeowners call us about most is Furnace Repair. Start there if your system isn't running right.
Warning Signs for Heating Repair
Catching these issues early helps you avoid costly problems. Keep an eye out for the following clues:
- No warm air at the registers even with the heat turned up
- Strange smells from the vents, especially rotten egg or burning
- An outdoor heat pump coil that stays iced over
- Higher heating bills with less comfort to show for them
- Clicking and failed ignition attempts before the furnace gives up
- Cold rooms in one part of the house while others are comfortable
- A loud boom when the burners light, which points to delayed ignition
- Short cycling every few minutes while the house stays cold
Early Action Saves Money
Left unchecked, even a small fault or temperature swing often signals a system working its way toward a breakdown. Call (253) 660-5103 at the first sign of trouble.
