Google Nest thermostat in a Richmond Hill home
Richmond Hill · Residential · Thermostat
Furnaces · gas and electric
Furnace repair, maintenance and replacement
Don works on gas, electric and high-efficiency furnaces in homes and commercial buildings: tracking down why there is no heat, fixing ignition, blower and thermostat problems, cleaning and inspecting the furnace before winter, and replacing a furnace that is no longer worth repairing.
If your furnace has stopped and the house is getting cold, call. If you are planning a replacement, the buying questions below are a good place to start before you request an estimate.
Furnaces Don works on
- Gas furnaces
- Burn natural gas to heat air that the blower pushes through your ducts. Most Ontario homes with ductwork heat this way.
- Electric furnaces
- Heat air with electric elements instead of a gas burner. There is no gas line or venting, but the blower and ducts work the same way.
- High-efficiency furnaces
- Gas furnaces designed to get more heat from the same fuel. They vent differently from older models, which matters when replacing one.
Furnace not heating? Common signs and what they can mean
These descriptions help you explain what you are seeing when you call. They are not repair instructions: anything involving gas, burners or wiring is a job for Don.
No heat, or the air from the vents is cool
The furnace may not be starting at all, or it may start and shut off before it heats. Causes range from a thermostat setting or a tripped switch to an ignition, flame sensor or control problem inside the furnace.
When to call: Call Don if the thermostat is set to heat, the furnace switch and breaker are on, the filter is not clogged, and there is still no heat.
Short cycling: the furnace turns on and off often
Short cycling means the furnace runs for a short time, shuts off, then starts again soon after, without the house reaching the set temperature. It can come from restricted airflow (often a dirty filter), a thermostat problem, overheating, or a furnace that is too large for the space it heats.
When to call: Call if short cycling continues after you have replaced a dirty filter, or if it comes with a burning smell or the furnace shutting down completely.
Banging, squealing, rattling or humming
New noises usually point to a part that is wearing or loose: a blower motor or belt, a panel, or delayed ignition when the burners light. Noting when the sound happens (at start-up, while running, at shut-off) helps narrow it down.
When to call: Call when a noise is new, getting louder, or happens every time the furnace starts. Do not open the furnace cabinet to look.
Some rooms are warm, others stay cold
Uneven heat can come from blocked or closed vents, leaking or poorly insulated ductwork, a weak blower, or a thermostat placed where it reads the wrong temperature.
When to call: Call if opening the vents in the cold rooms does not help. Don can check the blower and ductwork and talk through sealing ducts or zoning.
The thermostat does not seem to control the furnace
A blank screen, a furnace that ignores setting changes, or one that will not stop running can be a thermostat, wiring or control-board issue.
When to call: Check the batteries and the heat setting first. Call if the furnace still does not respond; thermostat wiring is part of the furnace's electrical system.
Before you call
Safety first, then simple checks
Smell gas or hear a carbon monoxide alarm?
Leave the building now and take everyone with you. From outside, call your gas utility’s emergency line or 911. Do not switch lights or appliances on or off on the way out. Call Don once the utility or fire service says it is safe to go back in.
Checks you can safely make on your furnace
- Thermostat: set to heat, set above the current room temperature, and fresh batteries if it uses them.
- Furnace switch and breaker: the service switch near the furnace is on, and the furnace breaker in the panel has not tripped. Reset a tripped breaker once only; if it trips again, leave it off and call.
- Filter: a filter caked with dust can stop airflow and make the furnace shut itself off. Replace it if it is dirty.
Leave anything involving gas, wiring, refrigerant or the inside of the equipment to Don.
Replacement or new installation
Replacing a furnace: questions to ask first
A replacement is a bigger decision than a repair. These are the questions worth asking before you request an estimate, so the conversation with Don starts in the right place.
Request an estimateIs it time to replace, or is a repair still reasonable?
That depends on the furnace's age and condition, how often it has needed repairs, and the cost of the current repair. Don can tell you what he finds and what the realistic options are.
Gas or electric?
Most homes keep the fuel they already have, because switching affects gas lines, venting and electrical capacity. If you are considering a change, raise it when you ask for an estimate.
What size of furnace does the house need?
A furnace that is too large tends to short cycle; one that is too small runs constantly on cold days. Sizing should be based on the house, not on the old furnace's label.
Should I consider a high-efficiency model?
High-efficiency furnaces use less fuel for the same heat but have different venting needs. Ask Don whether your home suits one and what the installation would involve.
Would a heat pump work alongside a new furnace?
A furnace can be paired with an air-source heat pump so the two share the heating. If you are also thinking about cooling, it is worth discussing both at once.
Is the ductwork and thermostat ready for it?
Leaky or undersized ducts can undo the benefit of a new furnace. A replacement is also a good time to look at duct sealing and a smart thermostat.
What Don handles
The furnace work Don does for homes and businesses, from a single repair to a full replacement.
Repair
- Diagnosing no heat, frequent cycling (short cycling) and unusual noises
- Repairing or replacing ignition systems
- Repairing or replacing thermostats
- Repairing or replacing blower motors
Maintenance
- Cleaning and inspecting burners, heat exchangers and blowers
- Checking and replacing filters
Replacement and new installation
- Installing gas, electric and high-efficiency furnaces
- Replacing an existing furnace
Efficiency and integration
- High-efficiency furnace upgrades
- Sealing and insulating ductwork
- Integrating a furnace with a heat pump or zoned heating
- Smart and Wi-Fi thermostats
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Furnace questions
What should I do if I smell gas near the furnace?
Leave the building right away and call your gas utility’s emergency line or 911 from outside. Do not switch lights or appliances on or off on the way out. Call Don once the utility or fire service says it is safe.
Why does my furnace keep turning on and off?
That is called short cycling. A clogged filter is a common cause and is safe for you to check. If a clean filter does not fix it, the cause may be a thermostat, sensor or sizing issue that Don will need to diagnose.
How often should a furnace be maintained?
A yearly cleaning and inspection, ideally before the heating season, lets problems with the burners, heat exchanger or blower show up before a cold night. Filters need checking more often.
Does Don work on furnaces in commercial buildings?
Yes. Don works on heating in homes and businesses. Building managers can describe the property when they request service, or see the commercial page.
Talk to Don about your furnace
Don has over 20 years of experience with heating, cooling and hot water. Call to describe the problem, or send a request with the details. Not sure whether Don serves your area? Ask when you get in touch.