Furnace Repair in Charlottesville, VA

Is your furnace making strange noises or not heating well? The Otter Guys professional team handles residential and commercial furnace repair and service in Charlottesville, VA, and the nearby areas. When your heating system stops working, you don’t have to handle the repairs independently. Call us, and our technicians will gladly get your heating systems working again.

The Otter Guys Provide Quality Furnace Repair

Dealing with heating or air conditioning issues can feel stressful and overwhelming, especially as they usually happen at inconvenient times. When it comes to handling furnace repair, our HVAC technician team has the knowledge and experience to handle any issue you have. We aim to help our customers get their heating systems working quickly and smoothly.

As a family-owned and operated business, we have helped many customers in the community for over 60 years. We’ve trained our HVAC technician team on different heating repair needs so we can better serve our customers. Our company proudly provides services like no “otter” in the community!

We Offer Services In Charlottesville, VA

The last thing you want to deal with is broken HVAC equipment in the middle of a Virginia winter. When you need furnace repair, our team will come and evaluate your HVAC equipment and offer the best solution for your system. If it is an older system and you are considering furnace replacement, we can also provide options there. Our team enjoys meeting many home and business owners in Charlottesville and the nearby cities. 

We work in many homes and businesses in the community and can provide furnace service for you, too. If you notice any issues with your furnace, let us know, and we will have an HVAC technician come right away. Our mission is to provide quality services you can rely on at any time.

Common Signs Of Furnace Failure

Sometimes, it’s hard to determine the exact reason for furnace failure. Keeping up with all the information can seem overwhelming for any home or business owner. Here are a few common signs of furnace issues that can help you determine when you need to call for furnace repair. 

The Furnace Is Making Strange Noises

If you ever hear strange noises coming from your furnace, it can seem a little frightening. Scraping, blowing, grinding, or squealing noises are rarely a good sign. However, there are reasons you may hear them. Scraping or squealing noises are often a sign of a worn belt that needs replacing. 

If you notice wear and tear on the belt, you can easily replace it, and it will stop the scraping noises. Grinding and scraping noises are usually signs of worn-out ball bearings that need immediate replacement. We can help you with that, too. 

The Heat Exchanger Needs Repairs

There are several parts that make a furnace run smoothly, and a heat exchanger is one of them. Sometimes they can crack or stop working from overuse. A few signs of a cracked heat exchanger include:

• Black soot inside your furnace
• Strange odors in your home
• Some people in your home experience headaches or nausea 
• Pooling water around the furnace

The heat exchanger is an essential component that keeps carbon monoxide from leaking into your home or building. If you think you may have a cracked heat exchanger, power down the furnace and call our HVAC technician immediately for repairs. 

Moisture Build-Up In Your Home

Have you ever noticed extra moisture around your window or doors? This could mean a weak seal around your windows or doors, but it can also mean your furnace isn’t working properly. Improper air flow can lead to excess moisture in certain areas of your home. Look for condensation around the window and door frames and if it doesn’t go away when the weather changes, call a professional to help you evaluate the issue.

Issues With the Pilot Light Or Ignition

If your furnace is older, it’s bound to experience some issues and repair needs. A common issue with older furnaces is a pilot light that may stay on longer than normal. While this may not seem like a problem, it’s worth investigating because it may be a warning of a bigger problem. 

Before you turn off the pilot light to troubleshoot the issue, turn off the gas supply, wait a few moments, and then turn off the pilot light. If you have an ignition switch, power down the furnace and close the gas supply. Look for any dirt buildup or dust that can alter the sensor. 

Unclean Air Filters

While this may not seem like an issue, it’s one of the biggest causes of furnace repairs. Dirty air filters clog the airflow and prevent the appliance from working smoothly. You also spend more money in the long run because the furnace has to work extra hard to keep up. Change your filters regularly and schedule annual furnace maintenance to prevent unnecessary repairs. 

Unclosed Panels

If you’ve ever inspected your furnace, you most likely noticed the access panel on the unit. If the door is not completely closed, the furnace may not turn on. This is a safety feature, especially in newer models. 

Broken Thermostat

This may seem like an obvious reason, but it is another common issue surrounding furnace repairs. If your thermostat is not on the “heat” setting, or it needs a repair of its own, your furnace may not work correctly. Check if the thermostat is registering correctly and if you notice an issue, call for repairs. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Furnace Repair

Our goal as The Otter Guys team is to handle air conditioner and furnace repair needs and answer any questions customers have about our services. Here are some common questions we receive about furnace repairs. 

Why Is My Furnace Not Heating Properly?

There could be several reasons why your furnace isn’t heating your home adequately:

• Dirty or Clogged Filter: A dirty filter can restrict airflow, making your furnace work harder to circulate. In extreme cases, a clogged filter can cause your furnace to overheat and shut off.
• Thermostat Issues: Ensure the thermostat is set to “heat” and that the temperature setting is higher than the current room temperature. Sometimes, it might just be a matter of incorrect settings or a malfunctioning thermostat.
• Pilot Light or Ignition Problems: For gas furnaces, if the pilot light goes out or the electronic ignition fails, the furnace won’t fire up.
• Fuel Supply Issues: If you have a gas or oil furnace, make sure there’s an adequate fuel supply. Check that the gas valve is open and that there are no interruptions in your oil delivery.
• Air Duct Issues: Leaks, blockages, or poor insulation in your ductwork can reduce the furnace’s ability to effectively distribute warm air throughout your home.
• Age of the Furnace: Like all equipment, furnaces have a lifespan. According to EnergyStar, most furnaces last between 15 and 20 years. An older furnace might simply be less efficient or might be reaching the end of its operational life.

What Is The Most Common Furnace Problem?

While there are several things that cause a furnace to stop working, a clogged filter is the most common. Dirty filters prevent proper airflow, causing the furnace to work harder. This affects the heat exchanger and may lead to repairs. It’s helpful to clean your filters often to keep your furnace working smoothly. 

The average lifespan of a furnace is about 15 to 20 years. If your furnace is nearing the end of its lifespan, you may notice more issues and a need for repairs. We can evaluate your appliance and offer you the best solution to get it working again. 

Should I Turn My Furnace Off If It’s Not Working?

If you keep running your furnace when it’s not working, then it could overheat and cause damage to your home. It also takes more energy to run a broken furnace, costing you more money. Before you call for repairs, turn off the switch and the thermostat. Then, check and see if your filter is clean. If the filter looks good and you’re unsure where the issue is located, it’s okay to turn off the furnace and call for repairs. 

Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

If your furnace is blowing cold air, there could be several potential reasons. Here’s a few of the things that we will check if you call us to look at your system:

• Thermostat Settings: Check if your thermostat is set to “ON” instead of “AUTO.” When set to “ON,” the blower will run continuously, even when the furnace isn’t heating. As a result, when the furnace isn’t actively heating, it can blow cooler air.
• Overheated Furnace: If the furnace overheats, the safety switch will shut off the burners, but the blower might continue to run to cool down the furnace. Overheating can occur due to restricted airflow, often from a dirty air filter.
• Pilot Light or Ignition Issues: If the pilot light goes out or the ignition system fails in a gas furnace, the burners won’t ignite, and the furnace won’t produce heat. You’ll hear the furnace running, but it’ll blow cold air.
• Fuel Supply Problems: Ensure there’s an uninterrupted gas or oil supply. If the fuel supply is interrupted or the valve is turned off, the furnace won’t produce heat.
• Ductwork Issues: Leaks or gaps in your ductwork can pull cold air from attics, basements, or crawl spaces and mix it with warm air, resulting in cooler air coming out of your vents.
• Flame Sensor: Modern furnaces have a flame sensor that detects whether a flame is present when the gas valve is open. If this sensor is dirty or malfunctioning, it might not detect the flame even if it’s present, causing the gas valve to close and the furnace to blow cold air.
• Other Mechanical Issues: Various other mechanical or electrical issues can result in the furnace blowing cold air, such as problems with the control board, transformer, or capacitors.

Contact the Otter Guys For Service Today

Are you looking for furnace repair in Charlottesville, VA, or the nearby areas? The Otter Guys are ready to lend a hand! Let us know how we can help you by calling us today. Our HVAC technician team will evaluate your needs and provide you with a free quote. Contact us today, and let us help you get your furnace working again.