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When to Call an HVAC Technician (and When to Leave the House First)
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Leave first, then call 911
- You smell gas or hear hissing: gas smell steps.
- A CO alarm is sounding: CO alarm steps.
Call a technician the same day (ServiceMag)
- The furnace cycles and blows cold air.
- There is soot or scorching near the burners.
- A CO alarm has ever gone off.
Call a technician when basic checks fail
- Erie IT: thermostat problems that continue after the basic steps, or poor airflow that cleaning the filter doesn't fix.
- Budget Heating: a pilot that won't stay lit or goes out repeatedly, a yellow or sooty flame, stiff controls.
What is pro-only
Per ServiceMag and Budget Heating: limit switch work, flame sensor cleaning and testing, blower wheel and capacitor, pressure switch and inducer, duct repair, combustion analysis, thermocouple replacement, gas line and valve repair, heat exchanger inspection, flue and chimney work.
Yearly service
ENERGY STAR recommends a yearly tune-up and says the heating system is best checked in the fall. A typical check includes gas connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and the heat exchanger. The CDC says to have the heating system serviced by a qualified technician every year.
Choosing a contractor
ENERGY STAR warns that improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30 percent and links to its contractor-hiring tips. Our suggestions: ask for a license number, check your state's licensing board, and get the repair price in writing before work starts. We found no sourced price figures, so we give none.
Ready to call?
Gas, burner, ignition and venting problems are for a licensed HVAC technician. Our guide covers which signs mean call now.
When to call an HVAC technicianFind a licensed HVAC pro near youCommon questions
When should I call an HVAC tech right away?
ServiceMag says to call the same day if the furnace cycles and blows cold air, if there is soot or scorching near the burners, or if a CO alarm has ever gone off.
How often should a furnace be serviced?
ENERGY STAR recommends a yearly tune-up. The CDC says to have the heating system serviced by a qualified technician every year.