When Common Heating Problems in Tucson

Furnace Won’t Turn On

When your furnace doesn’t start, several issues might be responsible. Thermostat problems are common, batteries might be dead, settings incorrect, or the unit itself faulty. Electrical issues including tripped breakers or blown fuses prevent power from reaching your furnace. Gas supply problems affect gas furnaces if the valve is closed or supply interrupted. Ignition failures occur when pilot lights extinguish or electronic ignition systems malfunction.

We diagnose the specific cause quickly, testing electrical connections, verifying gas supply, checking thermostat operation, and examining ignition components to identify why your system won’t start.

Inadequate Heat Output

If your furnace runs but doesn’t heat your home adequately, you’re likely dealing with restricted airflow from clogged filters, dirty blower components, or ductwork problems. Burner issues in gas furnaces prevent proper combustion and heat generation. Heat exchanger problems reduce heat transfer from combustion gases to circulating air. Refrigerant issues in heat pumps decrease heating capacity.

Inadequate heat becomes particularly frustrating when temperatures drop unexpectedly. We identify the cause and restore your system’s heating capacity.

Strange Noises from Heating System

Different sounds indicate specific problems requiring attention. Banging or booming when starting often signals delayed ignition in gas furnaces—gas builds up before igniting, creating a small explosion. This dangerous condition requires immediate repair. Squealing or screeching indicates belt problems or motor bearing failures. Rattling suggests loose components, ductwork issues, or failing blower motors. Grinding points to motor problems requiring prompt attention.

Never ignore unusual sounds from heating equipment. Small problems escalate quickly into expensive failures if left unaddressed.

Frequent Cycling On and Off

When your heater cycles too frequently, it wastes energy, stresses components, and leaves your home uncomfortably cold. Oversized equipment cycles rapidly, common in Tucson homes where heating systems were sized for other climates. Thermostat problems cause incorrect cycling from poor location, calibration issues, or mechanical failures. Dirty filters restrict airflow triggering safety switches that shut down the system.

We diagnose cycling problems and provide solutions that restore normal operation.

Pilot Light or Ignition Problems

Gas furnaces require reliable ignition for operation. Pilot lights can blow out from drafts, get clogged with dust, or fail due to thermocouple problems. Electronic ignition systems may have sensor failures, electrode issues, or control board problems preventing ignition.

These problems leave you without heat until repaired. Our technicians troubleshoot ignition systems and restore reliable operation.

Blower Runs Continuously

If your blower motor runs constantly without cycling off, you might have thermostat set to “on” instead of “auto,” faulty limit switches failing to signal the blower to stop, or control board problems sending incorrect signals. Continuous operation wastes energy and causes premature motor wear.

We identify why your blower won’t cycle properly and correct the problem.

Heat Pump Specific Issues

Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, making them popular in Tucson’s mild climate. However, they face unique problems.

Heat Pump Blowing Cold Air

When your heat pump produces cold air in heating mode, check if it’s stuck in cooling mode due to reversing valve failure. Low refrigerant from leaks reduces heating capacity significantly. Defrost cycle problems cause the system to stay in defrost mode too long. Outdoor unit frozen from poor airflow or refrigerant issues prevents heat absorption.

Heat pumps rely on outdoor air temperature for heating efficiency. When temperatures drop into the 30s, performance decreases naturally, but equipment should still provide adequate warmth.

Auxiliary Heat Running Constantly

Heat pumps have backup electric resistance heat (auxiliary heat) for extremely cold conditions. If this runs continuously, you’ll see dramatically higher energy bills. Causes include thermostat problems incorrectly calling for auxiliary heat, outdoor unit failure forcing the system to rely on backup heat, and refrigerant leaks reducing heat pump capacity.

Auxiliary heat costs significantly more to operate than the heat pump. Continuous operation indicates problems requiring immediate attention.

Our Heating Repair Process

Prompt Response

When you call with heating problems during cold weather, we respond quickly. We understand that elderly family members, young children, and those with health conditions need warmth restored promptly. Our dispatch system prioritizes heating emergencies during temperature drops.

Thorough Diagnosis

Our technicians arrive with diagnostic tools and common repair parts. We don’t guess, we systematically identify problems through testing thermostat operation and settings, checking electrical power to all components, verifying gas supply and pressure for furnaces, examining ignition systems, measuring airflow and duct operation, testing safety controls, and assessing heat exchanger condition.

These measurements and tests reveal exactly what’s wrong so we can repair it correctly the first time.

Clear Communication

Before performing repairs, we explain what failed and why in terms you understand. You’ll know the specific parts required, labor involved, total cost before work begins, and whether additional issues need attention.

If we find multiple problems, we prioritize clearly: critical repairs for immediate operation, items that should be addressed soon, and preventive improvements that extend system life.

Expert Repairs

Our technicians have extensive experience repairing all heating system types common in Tucson homes including gas furnaces, electric furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, and ductless mini-splits.

We use quality replacement parts that hold up reliably, not cheap components that fail prematurely. Repairs follow manufacturer specifications and local codes for safety and proper operation.

Complete Testing

After completing repairs, we test thoroughly to verify proper operation including ignition reliability, adequate heat output, correct cycling behavior, proper safety control function, and appropriate airflow throughout your home.

We run systems long enough to ensure they operate correctly under normal conditions before considering the job finished.

When to Call for Heating Repair

Immediate service needed for no heat when temperatures drop below 50°F, gas odors indicating potential leaks, burning smells or smoke from vents, and carbon monoxide detector alarms. These situations require immediate professional attention and potentially emergency services.

Schedule service soon for reduced heating output, strange noises developing, higher energy bills without explanation, frequent cycling, and pilot light problems. Address these before they cause complete system failure during cold weather.

Preventive maintenance includes scheduling service before winter (October-November), after detecting any performance changes, and annually for optimal reliability and efficiency.

Heating System Lifespan

Gas furnaces typically last 15-20 years with proper maintenance. Heat pumps average 10-15 years in Tucson where they operate year-round for both heating and cooling. Boilers can exceed 20 years with regular service.

If your heating system approaches these ages and needs substantial repairs, consider replacement rather than investing in aging equipment.

Repair Costs

Heating repair costs vary based on the problem and equipment involved. Understanding typical ranges helps you evaluate estimates:

Minor repairs ($150-$400): Thermostat replacement, pilot light repair, ignitor replacement, filter changes. These involve straightforward fixes with inexpensive parts.

Moderate repairs ($400-$900): Blower motor replacement, gas valve replacement, circuit board repairs, limit switch replacement. These repairs require skilled labor and moderate parts costs.

Major repairs ($900-$2,500): Heat exchanger replacement, compressor replacement (heat pumps), complete control system repairs. At these price points, carefully consider repair versus replacement given your equipment’s age.

Emergency service after hours typically adds $75-150 to regular pricing.

Safety Concerns with Heating Systems

Gas furnaces require proper combustion and venting. Cracked heat exchangers can leak carbon monoxide into your home, a deadly threat. We inspect heat exchangers carefully and recommend immediate replacement when cracks are found.

Proper venting ensures combustion gases exit your home safely. We verify venting integrity and correct any problems threatening your family’s safety.

Carbon monoxide detectors are essential in homes with gas heating equipment. If you don’t have them installed, we strongly recommend adding them for safety.

Preventive Maintenance Extends Heating System Life

Regular maintenance prevents most heating failures. Annual service before winter includes cleaning burners and heat exchangers, testing ignition systems, inspecting and tightening electrical connections, checking gas pressure and combustion, lubricating motors and bearings, testing safety controls, replacing filters, and verifying proper venting.

Well-maintained heating systems last longer, operate more efficiently, and fail less frequently than neglected equipment. The modest cost of annual maintenance prevents expensive emergency repairs during cold snaps.

Serving Greater Tucson

We provide heating repair throughout Pima County including Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, Vail, Green Valley, Catalina Foothills, Flowing Wells, Drexel Heights, and South Tucson.

Our technicians understand challenges in different areas from older homes near downtown with aging furnaces to newer developments in Oro Valley with modern heat pumps.

Don’t Wait for Complete Failure

Early repair of developing problems costs less than emergency service after complete failure. Strange noises, reduced heating, or other symptoms indicate problems that worsen without attention.

Call (520) 422-1126 for heating repair service

Our experienced technicians diagnose heating problems accurately and perform quality repairs that restore warmth to your home. From furnaces to heat pumps, we repair all heating systems keeping Tucson families comfortable through cooler months.