No two heating systems break the same way, and in Vallejo homes the first question on any no-heat call is what kind of equipment we are dealing with. Gas furnaces most often quit on an oxidized flame sensor. The burners fire, the sensor fails to confirm the flame, and after three attempts the control board closes the gas valve and locks the system out. Cracked hot surface igniters, sticking pressure switches, plugged condensate traps on high-efficiency units, and tired blower motors round out the usual list. Heat pumps have their own failure patterns. A defrost cycle that falls short lets ice build up on the outdoor coil, a bad reversing valve leaves the system stuck in cooling mode, and a dead outdoor unit hands the whole load to the electric backup strips, which cost several times as much to run.
Most of our service calls are for Furnace Repair. If something has stopped working, start there.
Warning Signs for Heating Repair
Recognizing the warning signs early can save you time and money. Keep an eye out for the following clues:
- Thick ice or frost covering the heat pump outside
- Short cycling every few minutes while the house stays cold
- Uneven heat, with certain rooms that never warm up
- Higher heating bills with less comfort to show for them
- Cold air, or no air at all, when the thermostat calls for heat
- A loud boom when the burners light, which points to delayed ignition
- A furnace that tries to light, clicks, and then quits
- A rotten-egg, burning, or musty smell once the heat kicks on
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 (707) 210-0159 for a prompt inspection.
