About The Author: Travis Baugh is a Digital Brand Marketing Manager for Bryant, where he creates clear, helpful content to guide homeowners through heating, cooling, and indoor air quality decisions. His goal is to empower readers with the knowledge they need to choose the right comfort solutions for their home—confidently and comfortably.
Your Complete Guide To Furnace Repair
When your furnace stops working, your priority is restoring warmth and safety to your home quickly. While some issues like a dirty filter or a tripped breaker can be resolved with a quick DIY fix, many problems require the expertise of a professional to ensure your system runs efficiently and safely.
For expert service that protects your home’s comfort, trust your local Bryant dealer. Our factory-trained technicians diagnose issues efficiently, ensuring your system delivers the reliable performance you expect all winter long.
Why is My Furnace Not Working?
If your furnace isn’t producing heat, the culprit is often a dirty air filter, a thermostat setting issue, or a disrupted power supply. Before calling for service, check that your thermostat is set to "Heat," your filter is clean, and the circuit breaker hasn't tripped.
Furnaces are complex systems, and a stoppage can stem from various components. Andrew Mackey, owner of Superior Service in Lake St Louis, Missouri, notes that issues range from simple fixes to complex mechanical failures.
“The furnace in a home could stop working for several reasons,” Mackey said. “The simplest reason would be a dirty flame sensor or an open pressure switch. The reason could also be more involved with a problem involving the main control board or a blower motor.”
Common Troubleshooting Steps
Before scheduling a repair, try these simple checks:
- Check the Thermostat: Ensure batteries are fresh and the system is set to "Heat" with the temperature above the current room reading. A malfunctioning thermostat can prevent the furnace from turning on or cause it to cycle incorrectly.
- Inspect Air Filters: A clogged furnace filter restricts airflow, forcing the system to work harder and potentially overheat. Replacing a dirty furnace filter can instantly improve efficiency and help you breathe cleaner air.
- Verify the Pilot Light: For older models, check if the pilot light is out. Relight it following manufacturer instructions. If it won't stay lit, a safety sensor or gas valve may be faulty.
- Clear Vents and Registers: Ensure furniture or rugs aren't blocking airflow. Restricted air can trigger system shutdowns.
If these furnace troubleshooting steps don't resolve the issue, contact a qualified HVAC contractor immediately.
What Are the Signs I Need Furnace Repair?
Recognizing the warning signs of a failing furnace can help you prevent a complete breakdown and ensure your home stays warm. Look out for these indicators that your furnace needs professional attention.
- Strange Noises: A healthy furnace should be quiet as a whisper. Banging, squealing, or rattling sounds indicate mechanical distress, such as a loose belt or failing motor.
- Unusual Odors: A faint scent of dust is normal when you first turn the heat on, but persistent burning smells or strong gas odors ("rotten eggs") are emergencies. Turn off the unit and call a professional immediately.
- Inconsistent Heating Performance: If some rooms are warm while others are cold, or if the furnace struggles to maintain a consistent temperature, you may have a faulty thermostat, clogged filters, or a problem within the furnace itself.
- Increased Heating Bills: A sudden, unexplained spike in your heating bills often indicates your furnace is losing efficiency. A malfunctioning system consumes more energy to produce the same amount of heat, driving up your heating costs.
How Much Does Furnace Repair Cost?
The average cost for furnace repair ranges between $150 and $600 for standard fixes. However, investing in comfort sometimes requires addressing major components, which can influence the final price.
- Minor Repairs ($150–$600): Includes thermostat replacement, flame sensor cleaning, or igniter replacement.
- Major Repairs ($1,000–$3,000): Involves significant parts like the heat exchanger or blower motor.
Repair vs. Replace: Making the Right Investment
If your furnace is over 15 years old and facing a costly repair (repair costs exceeding 50% of the value of a new unit), replacement is often the smarter financial move. New, energy-efficient models offer advanced smart home integration, quieter operation, and long-term warranty protection that older units simply cannot match.
Regular maintenance, including a professional furnace tune-up and furnace cleaning, is the best way to prevent expensive breakdowns and extend how long your furnace lasts.
Why Choose A Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer for Furnace Repair?
Selecting the right provider for your furnace service provider is essential for your home's comfort and your peace of mind. Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer are committed to delivering the highest standard of furnace repair.
- Expert Training: Our dealers are highly trained and experienced in repairing all type of furnaces. They understand the urgency of a broken furnace, especially during cold winter months, and are committed to providing reliable, efficient service.
- Factory Authorized Parts: When repairing a Bryant furnace, our dealers use genuine Factory Authorized Parts designed specifically for your equipment. These furnace parts ensure a perfect fit, restore original performance and efficiency, and preserve your manufacturer's warranty.
- A History of Reliability: Since 1904, Bryant has built a legacy of quality and reliability. Our dealers are part of this history, dedicated to providing customized home comfort solutions you can trust.
How Do I Schedule a Furnace Repair?
Don't let a broken furnace disrupt your life. Use our simple online booking system to connect with a local expert who can handle your furnace repair. Trust your local Bryant dealer to restore warmth and comfort to your home. Schedule an appointment today.
Furnace Repair FAQs
If your furnace isn't working, call your local Bryant dealer who specializes in furnace diagnostics and repair.
You can handle basic furnace maintenance like changing filters or checking the thermostat, but most repairs—especially involving gas, electricity, or internal components—should be done by a licensed HVAC professional for safety and warranty protection. Attempting complex repairs yourself may cause further damage or pose a fire or carbon monoxide risk.
The most common furnace failure is a malfunctioning ignition system or pilot light, which prevents the furnace from producing heat.
Usually, homeowners insurance only covers furnace repairs if damage results from a covered event, such as fire, water damage, or a storm. Normal wear and tear or age-related breakdowns are not typically covered.
Major components like the heat exchanger or blower motor tend to be the most expensive to repair or replace due to their complexity and labor costs.
If the repair is minor and the system is under 10–12 years old, repair may make sense. For older furnaces with repeated issues or costly parts, replacement is often the better long-term value.
Most homeowners spend between $150 and $600 on typical furnace repairs, depending on the part and labor required.
Usually not. A 20-year-old furnace is nearing or past its expected lifespan, and replacement can provide better efficiency, reliability, and warranty coverage.
Short cycles every 10 minutes can signal normal operation in extreme weather, but frequent cycling often points to airflow issues, a dirty filter, or thermostat problems.
This often happens if the thermostat fan setting is on "On" instead of "Auto," causing the fan to run continuously even when the burner is off. It can also indicate a pilot light failure or an overheated furnace that has shut down its burners for safety.
Yes, a furnace leaking water can indicate a condensation drain clog (in high-efficiency models) or a cracked heat exchanger. Both require immediate professional attention to prevent water damage or safety hazards.
Check your filter every 30 days and replace it at least every 90 days. If you have pets or allergies, replacing it monthly ensures optimal air quality and system efficiency.
Learn More About Furnaces
- Explore what is a furnace
- Understand natural gas furnaces
- Discover the value of a high efficiency furnace
- Get help with a furnace leaking water
- Find out how to fix a furnace blowing cold air
- Read about furnace inspections
