Average Repair Costs for 4 Typical Furnace Issues

Your furnace is a key part of your home. Without one, you wouldn’t be able to stay warm during cold weather. Yet furnaces can have some issues that are more typical than others.

Let’s go over these problems and about what they might cost to fix so you know before you contact an HVAC technician. Some of the most common furnace repair issues include:

Furnace won’t turn on
Furnace doesn’t stay lit
Furnace won’t blow hot air
Furnace won’t turn off

1. Furnace Won’t Turn On

There are a couple of reasons why your furnace won’t turn on, so make sure to check all of them.

Is your thermostat set correctly? Make sure it’s set to “heat,” “auto” and that your preferred temperature is higher than the room’s current temperature. If you use a programmable thermostat, make sure it has fresh batteries.
Is the circuit breaker tripped? Your furnace can’t operate if it doesn’t have power. Reset the switch if it’s facing the outside of the electrical panel.
Is the furnace switch off? Your furnace has a power switch located on or near it. Because this switch looks like a light switch, it’s easy to unintentionally turn it off. If it was off, it might take your furnace a few minutes to start.
Is the air filter clean? A dusty air filter can cause a lot of problems for your furnace. Get a new one if you can’t see light through it.

Estimated Repair Cost

This issue can be complicated, so the estimated cost to repair it depends on what’s wrong.

2. Furnace Won’t Stay Lit

Your furnace uses a certain sequence when it begins heating your home.

Your thermostat notices the temperature has dropped and tells your furnace to start running.
The draft inducer fan turns on to pull in fresh air for combustion.
The gas valve unlocks for the burners, which are ignited electronically.
The flame sensor tells your furnace the burners have been lit.

If something is off during the sequence, your furnace will shut off as a safety precaution.

A couple of potential causes for this issue include:

Dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor. If the sensor doesn’t sense a flame, it will turn off your furnace to prevent natural gas from getting into your home. The ignition process corrodes flame sensors as time passes. While cleaning during annual furnace maintenance can help, yours may eventually need to be taken out and changed.
Bad limit switch. This safety feature will shut off your furnace if it detects backdrafting. Backdrafting is dangerous, because carbon monoxide and natural gas can leak into your home. These switches can malfunction due to age, damage or dust buildup.
Old thermostat. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, your furnace won’t be able to run.
Dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can limit airflow and cause your furnace to shut off to avoid overheating. Make sure to replace yours every 30 to 90 days, or whenever you can’t see light through it.

Estimated Repair Cost

These costs are estimates, so it’s necessary to note yours may vary based on your furnace’s brand and model.

Flame sensor: $350–$500
Limit switch: $150–$300
Thermostat: $150–$350
Furnace filter: $10-$30

3. Furnace Won’t Blow Hot Air

In many instances, this problem is tied to a wrong thermostat setting or a dirty air filter that’s restricting airflow. Use the steps above to fix the problem.

4. Furnace Won’t Turn Off

If it’s very cold outside or you like your home to be toasty, your furnace may be running for a long time.

If this isn’t what’s happening, ensure your thermostat is set correctly and running properly. If your fan setting is at “on,” the blower motor will be running even when the furnace isn’t, so it’ll sound like your furnace is running all the time.

Otherwise, there might be an issue with the blower motor or your ductwork may be leaking air, making your furnace run continuously to make up for the air loss.

Estimated Repair Cost

These costs are estimates, so it’s necessary to note yours may vary based on your furnace’s brand and model.

New blower motor: $250–$800
Seal ductwork: varies based on house size

Abilene Air-Tech Inc Can Solve Your Furnace Issues Quickly and Affordably

Furnace issues can be an expensive headache, but not when you call Abilene Air-Tech Inc. We’ve been providing the quality, affordable furnace repair Abilene homeowners have trusted since 1986. Contact us at (325) 692-5850 to receive your free estimate today.