Heat pump or furnace? That is the first thing that matters when the heat quits in Erie, PA, 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.
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. Keep an eye out for the following clues:
- Cold air, or no air at all, when the thermostat calls for heat
- Clicking and failed ignition attempts before the furnace gives up
- A rotten-egg, burning, or musty smell once the heat kicks on
- Some rooms warm while others stay stubbornly cold
- Short cycling every few minutes while the house stays cold
- Energy costs climbing even though the house feels colder
- Booming or banging at ignition, a sign of delayed burner light-off
- Thick ice or frost covering the heat pump outside
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. Call (814) 200-6129 at the first sign of trouble.
