When it comes time to make necessary repairs on your furnace, you want the best deal with outstanding service. Cates Heating and Cooling provides the service you are looking for, and we are transparent with our furnace repair costs. We want you to get the best deal on your HVAC repairs. Here are a few of the most common furnace repairs that we see, what it costs to fix the problem, and why.

Flame Sensor Cleaning

At Cates Heating and Cooling, the most common furnace problem we see is actually a maintenance problem. In gas furnaces, the flame sensor is an important piece of safety equipment. The flame sensor produces a current of electricity that is measured in microamps. Throughout the ignition sequence, gas is either ignited by a spark or hot surface igniter. At this point, the flame sensor produces the electricity that the control board needs to read. If the amps aren’t reading at the right level, the furnace cuts off the gas to avoid an explosion.

The flame sensor gets dirty over time due to oxidation or carbon buildup. This interferes with the sensor’s ability to function properly, and in turn, the system will shut down. Cleaning this sensor is very important, and one of our expert technicians can clean your flame sensor in just a few minutes. Generally, the cost for cleaning the flame sensor is just the service call fee, so at Cates Heating and Cooling, you are looking to pay $98. For most customers, it is easier to get started on a service plan where a Cates technician will come out to inspect and perform maintenance on your furnace annually.

Air Filter Cleaning

If your furnace shuts off for seemingly no reason, your air filter could be the culprit. Unfortunately, it is very easy to forget to replace your dirty air filter frequently. When air filters get dirty, there isn’t enough air getting through the filter, and the furnace will overheat. Since there are safety measures in place, when the furnace overheats, the unit will shut off. Many people don’t realize that their air filter is the problem and will call out a service technician.

Fortunately, replacing an air filter is relatively cheap. An air filter may be just a few dollars if you want a cheap one that you can replace monthly. There are more expensive options, however. When a Cates technician comes to your home and determines that the air filter is the problem, you will only be charged the $98 service fee unless you want to purchase an air filter from us at that time.

Air filters can cause a myriad of problems for furnaces, so before you call a technician out to your home, you should make sure that your air filter isn’t clogged. You can also use a calendar to remind yourself to replace your air filter once a month.

Pressure Switch

The pressure switch is a safety mechanism that ensures that all the exhaust gasses from your furnace aren’t pulled back into the furnace—a process called backdrafting. The pressure switch also protects your home from gas leaks, and it shuts down the furnace in the event of a mechanical failure. Without the pressure switch, your home could be at risk for carbon monoxide problems.

A pressure switch with labor generally costs between $50 and $150. Price will generally depend on the type of pressure switch you need.

Blower Motors

Blower motors turn the fan in your furnace to circulate the air out of the furnace and throughout your home. Eventually, your blower motor will go bad. These pieces of equipment push gas out of your home to prevent any problems with carbon monoxide in your home. If the blower motor in your furnace goes out, the furnace will not run.

The price of a new blower motor will depend on its style, age, and efficiency, but they generally cost between $350 and $900.

Igniters

There are a few different kinds of igniters available, but the hot surface igniter is a silicon carbon element that heats up when voltage is applied to it. When you turn your furnace on, the furnace circuit board sends electricity to the igniter. Then, the main valve opens, and gas strikes the hot surface igniter element and ignites. Hot surface igniters light the gas to allow the furnace to heat your home. Eventually, igniters will need to be replaced.

These little pieces of equipment may seem expensive to some, but they last anywhere from five to 12 years depending on how well they are kept. Typically, with installation, hot surface igniters cost between $80 and $350.

Still not sure when to repair or replace your HVAC system? Take the Repair vs Replace survey today!