Furnace Repair in Houston, TX
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If your furnace is not heating, check the thermostat, the air filter and the breaker first. If it still blows cold air or will not light, call a licensed HVAC provider. Common causes are a dirty flame sensor, a bad ignitor, a clogged filter or a failed inducer motor.
Signs your furnace or heat pump needs repair
- The furnace blows cold or lukewarm air
- The heater will not turn on, or clicks but never lights
- It lights, then shuts off after a few seconds
- The heater cycles on and off every few minutes
- Strange noises such as banging, squealing or grinding
- A heat pump is running but the house stays cold in a freeze
- The thermostat is on but nothing happens
- The pilot light or burner flame looks yellow, weak or keeps going out
Most common furnace problems in Houston
Dirty flame sensor
Carbon builds up on the sensor, so the control board cannot detect the flame and shuts off the gas after a few seconds. A cleaning or a new sensor often fixes it.
Cracked or worn ignitor
Hot surface ignitors wear out. If the heater clicks and the ignitor never glows, the gas will not light. Idle summers followed by a hard cold start make failures more likely.
Clogged filter or blocked airflow
Restricted airflow overheats the furnace, so the high-limit switch shuts it down. Replacing the filter is the first thing a homeowner can safely try.
Failed inducer fan or control board
The inducer motor clears exhaust gases before ignition. If it fails, or a pressure switch cannot confirm airflow, the furnace will not start.
Heat pump backup (auxiliary) heat problems
Heat pumps rely on electric backup heat strips when it gets very cold. A failed heat strip, relay or sequencer, or a defrost fault, can leave you with weak heat in a Houston freeze.
What the provider will usually check
- Thermostat settings, batteries and wiring
- Air filter and airflow
- Ignitor, flame sensor and gas valve operation
- Inducer motor, pressure switch and vent pipe
- Blower motor and capacitor
- Heat pump defrost cycle and backup heat strips
The provider should explain the problem and the options before starting a repair.
Call for emergency help right away if
- You smell gas or rotten eggs. Leave the home and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
- A carbon monoxide alarm sounds or anyone feels dizzy or sick. Get outside and call 911.
- There is smoke, or a burning-plastic or electrical smell. Turn the system off at the thermostat and breaker.
- Heat is out during a freeze and there are babies, older adults or people with health needs in the home.
What affects the cost of furnace repair
- The failed part (sensors and ignitors usually cost less than blower motors or control boards)
- Furnace age and brand, and whether parts are easy to find
- After-hours or emergency timing
- Access to the furnace (attic or tight closet)
- Repair cost compared with the age of the system
Ask the provider for the price, any diagnostic or trip fee, and their Texas license number before they start work.
Houston timing tip
Heaters in Houston often sit unused for months, so the first cold night is when weak parts finally fail. Many homes also use heat pumps, which can struggle once temperatures fall below freezing. If you rely on a heat pump, a repair visit before winter can catch a failing backup heat strip early.
Furnace Repair FAQs
Why is my furnace blowing cold air?
The blower can keep running even when the burners shut off. Common reasons are a dirty flame sensor, a bad ignitor, a tripped safety switch or a thermostat set to "on" instead of "auto". A provider can find the exact cause.
What should I check before I call?
Make sure the thermostat is on heat and set above room temperature, replace a dirty filter, and check the breaker and the furnace switch. Do not open gas or burner compartments yourself.
Is it worth repairing an older furnace?
It depends on the repair cost, the furnace age and how often it has failed. If a repair is costly and the unit is near the end of its life, ask the provider to compare repair and replacement.
Why does my heat pump not keep up in a freeze?
Heat pumps pull heat from outdoor air, which gets harder as temperatures drop. The electric backup strips should help. If they fail, a provider can test the strips, relays and defrost controls.
Who will repair my furnace?
An independent, licensed HVAC provider in your area. We only route the call and do not do the repair. You agree on the work and price directly with the provider.
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One free call. Ask about price, diagnostic fees and license before work starts.
Call (832) 662-7612