Every time your thermostat calls for heat, the furnace works through a fixed checklist. The inducer motor starts and proves draft by closing a pressure switch, the hot surface igniter heats up, the gas valve opens, the burners light, and the flame sensor confirms there is fire. Only after all of that does the blower start pushing warm air into the house. Finding the step that fails is most of the job. Around Wichita Falls, TX, the usual failure points are a flame sensor fouled with oxide, an igniter cracked by years of heating and cooling, a pressure switch that stays open because of a weak inducer or a clogged condensate trap on a high-efficiency unit, and control boards with burned relays. Each one halts the startup, and from the hallway they all look alike.
Cooling trouble instead? See AC Repair.
When to Call for Furnace Repair in Wichita Falls
The sooner you notice these red flags, the easier and cheaper the fix. Here are the most common indicators that it's time to call a professional:
- A fan that keeps running while the registers blow cool air
- Clicking and a glowing igniter with no burner flame
- A furnace that shuts off every few minutes before the house warms up
- Squealing or grinding from the blower compartment
- Rust streaks, soot, or water around the cabinet or flue
- Loud booms at startup caused by delayed ignition
- Yellow, wavering burner flames where they should be sharp blue
- Flames that start, last a few seconds, and go out again and again
Act Before It Gets Worse
What seems like a minor issue today can take out a compressor or heat exchanger tomorrow. If you notice any of these signs, call (940) 204-7154 for a prompt inspection.
