Furnace Repair in Langley, BC

A furnace that quits on a cold, wet Langley night is more than an inconvenience. A few safe checks can rule out the simple causes before a technician arrives.

Furnace, heat pump and AC repairs, replacements and new installs

Langley City, Walnut Grove, Willoughby, Aldergrove and nearby

Get a quote before any work starts

Thermostat

Make sure it's on Heat, set above room temperature, and that the screen isn't blank. Many no-heat problems turn out to be dead batteries or a schedule that changed.

Power switch

Furnaces have a switch that looks like a light switch on or near the unit. It's easy to bump off when storing things nearby.

Diagram: the furnace service switch sits on or near the unit and must be on.

Filter

A clogged filter can make the furnace overheat and shut itself off. Replace it and try again.

Diagram: the filter slides in beside the furnace, arrow toward the blower.

Condensate lines

High-efficiency furnaces drain water through a small plastic line. If it clogs or freezes, the furnace shuts down to protect itself.

Ignition and flame sensor

Modern furnaces use an electronic igniter and a flame sensor. A dirty sensor makes the burners light, then shut off a few seconds later.

Short cycling

A furnace that runs for only a minute or two at a time may be overheating, have a sensor fault or be too big for the house.

Noises

Rattling panels, squealing belts and booming at start-up are worth reporting. Loud bangs on ignition can point to delayed ignition, which needs attention.

Gas smell

If you smell gas, leave the house and contact FortisBC or your gas utility's emergency line from outside. Don't switch lights or appliances on or off.

Carbon monoxide

Every home with gas appliances should have working CO alarms near bedrooms. If one sounds, get everyone outside and contact emergency services.

Get it fixed

Tell the technician the furnace age, what it's doing and what you've checked. Send a request and an HVAC contractor will get in touch.

Older furnaces

A furnace well into its third decade with repeated problems is worth pricing for replacement before it fails in January.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my furnace turn on and off every few minutes?

A clogged filter, a dirty flame sensor, a blocked vent or a furnace that's oversized are common causes. A technician can tell which.

Is a burning smell normal?

A dusty smell on the first cold day is common and fades quickly. A smell of burning plastic or one that lingers is not; turn the furnace off and book a check.