A furnace that stops working leaves a house cold and damp, and the wet season makes it feel worse. Robconverted Heating & Air is a referral service. We connect homeowners in the Kent area with independent HVAC providers who handle heating and cooling repairs. The providers do the work, not us.
This page explains the safety steps, the quick checks you can try, and what usually drives the price. You will also see how to read a written quote and when a repair stops making sense. Compare, then decide. There is no pressure and no obligation, and every choice stays with you.
Smell Gas? Leave First
A rotten-egg smell means gas may be leaking. Do not search for the source. Do not flip switches, use a lighter, or start the furnace.
Walk everyone outside, including pets. Once you are clear of the house, call your gas utility or 911. Wait for the all-clear before you go back in.
Carbon Monoxide Is a Separate Danger
Headaches, dizziness, nausea, or a carbon monoxide alarm going off are warning signs. Get outside and call 911. Do not try to fix a furnace you suspect is leaking exhaust.
Quick Checks Before You Call
Some causes are simple. Spend ten minutes on this list before you pay for a visit:
- Make sure the thermostat is set to heat and set a few degrees above room temperature.
- Swap the thermostat batteries if the screen is blank or dim.
- Check that the breaker has not tripped.
- Find the switch near the furnace and confirm it is on.
- Look at the air filter. A clogged one can make a furnace shut down.
- Open supply vents and clear anything blocking them.
If the furnace still won't start, stop there. Writing down what you tried helps the provider and may shorten the visit.
Where You Can Help and Where You Should Stop
Changing a filter, replacing thermostat batteries, and clearing vents are fine for most homeowners. Opening panels, touching wiring, or working on gas parts is not.
Providers carry meters, combustion testers, and the training to use them. Those tools matter because a wrong guess can cost more than the repair itself.
Signs Your Furnace Needs Repair
Some signs are obvious. Others creep in over a season.
- The furnace runs but blows cool air.
- It turns on and off in short bursts.
- Some rooms stay cold while others get warm.
- Your heating bill climbs with no change in habits.
- The pilot or igniter fails to light.
- Dust or a burning smell lasts more than the first run of the season.
Strange Noises Tell a Story
Banging at startup can point to delayed ignition. Squealing often comes from the blower motor or a belt. Rattling may be a loose panel. Describe the sound to the provider. It narrows the search and can keep the diagnostic short.
Older Craftsman Homes and Crawl Spaces
Many wood-frame homes have ductwork running through crawl spaces. Leaky or damp ducts can waste heat before it reaches a room. A provider may suggest sealing or insulating them, which is a separate job from the furnace itself.
Older houses may also have furnaces that were sized for a different layout. Ask whether the unit still suits your home.
Damp Weather and Windstorms
Long rainy seasons add moisture around vents, drains, and the area around the furnace. Windstorms can blow debris against exhaust pipes or cause power flickers that trip safety controls. If heating trouble starts after a storm, mention it when you talk to the provider.
What Happens During a Repair Visit
A provider usually starts with questions about the symptoms. Then comes a check of the thermostat, filter, ignition, blower, and safety switches. After the diagnosis, you should hear the cause and the repair options in plain words.
Ask for the price in writing before any parts are replaced. A fair provider will not mind.
Diagnostic Fee Versus Repair Price
Most providers charge for the visit, and some apply it toward the repair. Policies differ, so ask first. Knowing this up front keeps the final bill from surprising you.
Common Furnace Repairs
These are the jobs providers see most often:
- Replacing a worn igniter or flame sensor.
- Fixing or swapping a blower motor or capacitor.
- Replacing a failed control board.
- Repairing an inducer motor or pressure switch.
- Clearing a blocked drain or exhaust line on high-efficiency units.
What Drives the Price
The part is only one piece. Furnace age, brand, how hard the part is to reach, and whether the provider has it on the truck all affect the total. Labor rates vary by provider and by the time of the visit. Two quotes for the same repair can differ for good reasons, so ask what is included.
Repair or Replace Your Furnace?
A common rule of thumb: if the repair costs close to half the price of a new unit and the furnace is past 15 years old, replacement deserves a look. Frequent breakdowns, rising bills, and uneven heat point the same way.
If the furnace is younger and the fix is modest, repair usually makes sense.
Furnace Replacement Near Me: Slow Down and Compare
Searching for furnace replacement near me can feel urgent when the house is cold. If the unit is unsafe, a temporary fix may buy you time. Then get at least two written quotes that list the model, size, labor, and removal of the old unit. Compare, then decide.
Questions to Ask the Provider
- What is wrong, and can you show me?
- Is there a cheaper repair that is still sound?
- What does the quote include, and what could change it?
- Is the diagnostic fee applied to the repair?
- Do the parts and the labor carry a written warranty?
- Is the provider licensed and insured in my state?
Reading a Written Quote
Look for itemized parts, labor, taxes, and any permit costs. Vague totals make comparing hard. If a number looks off, ask about it. A quote in writing protects both sides.
Your Next Step
If the house is cold and the checks above did not help, Request a callback to check provider availability in Kent. A provider can explain options and next steps. No pressure, no obligation.
What's Included
Fault Diagnosis
A provider tests the thermostat, ignition, blower, and safety controls to find why the furnace stopped heating.
Part Repairs
Worn igniters, sensors, motors, and boards can often be replaced during one visit.
Safety Checks
Providers check exhaust, venting, and flame behavior so the furnace runs safely after repair.
Written Options
You receive the cause and repair choices in writing, so you can compare quotes before deciding.
Typical Furnace Repair Costs
These are typical U.S. ranges. Your price depends on the furnace, the part, and the provider. Always ask for a written quote before work begins, and compare at least two.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic visit | $75 – $200 | Some providers apply it to the repair |
| Igniter or flame sensor | $100 – $400 | Common fix for a furnace that will not stay lit |
| Capacitor or relay | $120 – $450 | Small parts with quick labor |
| Inducer or blower motor | $400 – $1,500 | Price rises with furnace size and access |
| Control board | $300 – $900 | Varies by brand and availability |
| Duct sealing add-on | $300 – $1,500 | Separate job, depends on crawl space access |
How It Works
Check Safety First
Rule out gas smells and carbon monoxide alarms. If either is present, leave the house and call 911.
Try Quick Checks
Test the thermostat, breaker, switch, and filter. Note what you tried for the provider.
Call or Request
Request a callback or use the form to be connected with a local provider.
Compare Quotes, Then Choose
Review written quotes side by side, ask questions, and pick the option you trust.
Why Call Robconverted Heating & Air
Compare Before You Commit
Request quotes from providers in our network, then weigh price, scope, and warranty at your own pace.
Plain Explanations
Providers should explain the problem in simple words, with no pushy upgrades.
Local Providers
Independent HVAC providers know the damp climate and local home styles.
No Obligation
Requesting an estimate costs you nothing to decline. The choice stays yours.
Other Services
Need furnace repair in Kent?
- Reach independent local HVAC providers
- Compare written quotes before you decide
- No obligation to hire anyone
- Simple next steps
Furnace Repair FAQ
How much does furnace repair usually cost?
Most repairs fall between about $150 and $1,500 in the U.S., depending on the part and labor. Small parts cost less, motors and boards cost more. Get a written quote before agreeing to any work.
Why is my furnace running but not heating?
Common causes are a dirty filter, a failed igniter or flame sensor, or a thermostat problem. Check the filter and settings first. If heat still won't come, a provider should diagnose it.
Is it better to repair or replace an old furnace?
If the unit is over 15 years old and the repair is close to half the cost of a new one, replacement is worth pricing. Compare written quotes for both.
Get in touch
Tell us what your heating or cooling system is doing. Request an estimate and a provider in our network can follow up with a written quote.
No obligation