Why is my furnace running but not blowing hot air?
Common causes are a dirty filter, a bad igniter, a faulty flame sensor, or a thermostat set wrong. Try the quick checks first. If the air stays cool, ask a local provider to take a look.
A cold house is no fun. A furnace that will not start, blows cool air, or makes loud noises needs a look. The sooner a pro sees it, the smaller the fix tends to be.
Randomexecutive Heating & Air is a referral service. You tell us what is wrong, and we point you to an independent provider in our network near West Palm Beach. The provider does the work, not Randomexecutive Heating & Air. You can compare estimates and take your time. There is no obligation. This page covers safety first, quick checks, common repairs, and how to choose between repair and replacement. Small problem, early call.
Smell Gas? Leave First
A gas leak smells like rotten eggs. If you smell it, stop reading and act.
- Do not touch light switches.
- Do not use a lighter or match.
- Do not start the furnace.
- Walk outside with your family and pets.
- Call your gas company or 911 from outside.
Only after the gas company says the home is safe should you ask a provider to check the furnace.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Sounding
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas you cannot see or smell. It can come from a faulty furnace. Headaches, dizziness, and nausea can be warning signs. If a CO alarm goes off, get everyone outside and call 911. Do not go back in until it is cleared.
Quick Checks Before You Call
These steps take a few minutes. They fix some simple problems. If nothing works, move on to a call.
Check the Thermostat
Set it to heat. Set the target a few degrees above the room. Swap the batteries if it has them. A blank screen often means dead batteries.
Check the Switch and Breaker
Most furnaces have a switch on or near the unit. It looks like a light switch. Make sure it is on. Then check the breaker in your electrical panel. Flip it off and on once. Do not keep resetting a breaker that trips again.
Check the Air Filter
The filter is a thin mesh that catches dust. A clogged one blocks airflow. The furnace may overheat and shut off. If the filter looks gray and thick, swap it for a new one.
Signs Your Furnace Needs Repair
A furnace usually gives hints before it quits. Early attention often keeps a repair small.
No Heat or Weak Heat
The fan runs, but the air stays cool. Or the air is only lukewarm. Parts like the igniter (the part that lights the burner) or a sensor may be worn.
Loud or Strange Noises
Bangs, squeals, and grinding are not normal. They can point to a loose part, a worn belt, or a failing motor.
Short Cycling
Short cycling means the furnace turns on and off again and again. It never finishes a full heating round. Poor airflow and bad sensors are common causes.
Odd Smells and Flame Color
A light dust smell the first time you run heat each season is common. A burning or electrical smell that lingers is not. A gas flame should be mostly blue. A yellow or orange flame needs a pro.
Why Cold Snaps Catch Homes Off Guard
In warm, humid places, the furnace may run only a few weeks a year. It sits idle for months. Damp air can rust parts and clog drains. Dust builds up in a closet or attic unit. Then a cold night arrives, and the furnace has to work hard right away.
When the weather turns cold, many people call for help at once. Calling at the first sign of trouble helps you avoid the rush. Request a callback to check provider availability.
What Happens During a Repair Visit
The provider listens to your story first. Then they test the thermostat, power, and safety switches. They look at the burner, igniter, blower, and vents. They check for gas leaks and CO.
Next, they explain what they found. You should hear the problem in plain words. You should also get the price in writing before work begins.
Common Furnace Repairs
Here are fixes that come up often:
- Replacing a worn igniter or flame sensor
- Cleaning or swapping a dirty filter and cleaning the burners
- Fixing or replacing a thermostat
- Replacing a blower motor or capacitor (a part that gives the motor a boost to start)
- Repairing a draft inducer, the small fan that pulls exhaust out
- Clearing a clogged drain on a high-efficiency unit
Repair or Replace Your Furnace?
Most repairs make sense. A newer furnace with one failed part is usually worth fixing. Replacement may be wiser in these cases:
- The furnace is more than 15 years old.
- It needs repairs again and again.
- The heat exchanger (the metal wall that keeps flame gases apart from your air) is cracked.
- Your heating bills keep creeping up.
If you search for furnace replacement near me, ask for a repair quote and a replacement quote side by side. A good heating and cooling provider will explain both. Then you can weigh the numbers.
Questions to Ask the Provider
A short list helps you stay in charge:
- Is the quote in writing, with parts and labor listed?
- Is the visit fee part of the repair price?
- Do the parts come with a warranty?
- Is this repair likely to last, or will something else fail soon?
- Is the provider licensed and insured in your state?
Compare, Then Decide
You do not need to say yes on the spot. Ask for a second estimate if the job is large. Take notes and compare plans. There is no obligation when you ask.
What to Do Tonight While You Wait
Use safe heat only. Close doors to rooms you do not need. Wear layers. Never use a gas oven, grill, or camp stove to heat your home. They can release deadly CO.
What's Included
Safety Check
The provider looks for gas leaks, CO, and vent trouble before they touch any part.
Full Diagnosis
They test the thermostat, igniter, blower, and sensors to find the real cause.
Clear Quote
You hear the problem and the price in plain words before work starts.
Repair Work
The provider fixes or swaps the failed part, then tests the furnace to confirm it heats properly.
Typical Furnace Repair Costs
These are typical U.S. ranges. Your price depends on the furnace, the part, and the job. Always get a written quote before work begins, and compare more than one if you can.
| Repair item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic visit | $75 – $200 | Some providers apply it to the repair |
| Igniter or flame sensor | $100 – $400 | A common cause of no heat |
| Thermostat replacement | $100 – $350 | Smart models cost more |
| Capacitor or relay | $150 – $450 | Small part, quick fix |
| Blower motor | $400 – $1,500 | Varies by motor type |
| Draft inducer motor | $350 – $950 | Part and age affect price |
How It Works
Tell Us the Problem
Request a callback or use the request form. Say what the furnace is doing and when it started.
Get Pointed to a Provider
Randomexecutive Heating & Air connects you with an independent local provider who handles furnace repair.
Review the Quote
The provider explains the issue and the price. Compare it with others if you wish.
Choose and Schedule the Work
Pick the provider you like. Then agree on a time for the repair.
Why Call Randomexecutive Heating & Air
Less searching, sooner help
Request a callback and say what is wrong. You get pointed to a local provider without a long search.
Independent Providers
Providers in our network are local businesses. They do the work and set their own prices.
Compare Estimates
Ask for more than one quote. Weigh the choices at your own pace.
No Obligation
Asking costs you nothing to decide. You pick the provider, or none at all.
Other Services
Need furnace repair services in West Palm Beach?
Tell us what is going on with your AC or furnace. Request a callback to check provider availability, or send a request and compare estimates with no obligation.
No obligation
FAQ
Furnace Repair Services FAQ
How much does furnace repair cost?
Many repairs fall between $100 and $1,500 in the U.S. The part and the job change the price. Ask for a written quote and compare if the cost is high.
Should I fix or replace an old furnace?
If it is over 15 years old or keeps breaking, replacement may make sense. A newer furnace with one bad part is often worth fixing. Ask for both quotes.
Contact Us
Request a callback
Tell us what is going on with your AC or furnace. Request a callback to check provider availability, or send a request and compare estimates with no obligation.
No obligation