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Help for furnaces that will not heat, blow cold air, cycle constantly, or make strange noises

Franklin County HVAC handles furnace repair for homes, rental properties, and businesses throughout Franklin County, Ohio. When a gas or electric furnace stops heating, blows cold air, or shuts off after a few minutes, a technician can diagnose the cause and explain the repair before any work starts. Call (614) 418-6074 at any hour to request furnace or heating repair.

Key takeaways

  • Many no-heat calls come down to the thermostat, the filter, ignition parts, or safety switches.
  • A furnace that repeatedly locks out is often protecting itself, so the cause matters more than the reset.
  • Gas smells and carbon monoxide alarms are emergencies for 911 or the gas utility first, not an HVAC call.
  • Repair cost depends on the failed part, the furnace’s age, access, and timing.

What does furnace repair include?

Furnace repair covers the diagnosis and correction of heating problems in gas furnaces, electric furnaces, and the blower and controls that move warm air through the house. Heat pump heating problems are handled separately on the residential and commercial HVAC services page and on the main services page.

Common furnace repairs include:

  • Cleaning or replacing a dirty flame sensor
  • Replacing a cracked or worn hot surface igniter
  • Repairing or replacing the inducer motor, blower motor, or blower capacitor
  • Diagnosing pressure switch, limit switch, and rollout switch faults
  • Replacing a failed control board or gas valve
  • Clearing blocked condensate lines and venting on high-efficiency furnaces

Why is my furnace blowing cold air?

A furnace that blows cold air usually has burners that are not lighting or staying lit, or a thermostat fan that is running without a call for heat. The blower may be moving air through the ducts while the burners sit off.

Likely causes include:

  • Thermostat fan set to “On”: the blower runs all the time, including between heating cycles. Switch it to Auto.
  • Dirty flame sensor: the burners light briefly, then shut off because the furnace cannot confirm a flame.
  • Failed igniter: the furnace tries to start but never lights.
  • Clogged air filter: the furnace overheats, the high-limit switch shuts the burners off, and the blower keeps running to cool down.
  • Gas supply problem: a closed gas valve or a utility issue keeps the burners from lighting.
  • Blocked condensate drain or vent pipe: high-efficiency furnaces shut down to protect themselves when water or exhaust cannot leave.

What should you check before calling for furnace repair?

Start with these safe checks:

  1. Set the thermostat to Heat, raise the setpoint a few degrees above room temperature, and replace weak batteries.
  2. Set the thermostat fan to Auto.
  3. Check the breaker for the furnace and confirm the power switch near the furnace (it often looks like a light switch) is on.
  4. Make sure the furnace’s front access panel is fully closed. Many furnaces will not run with the door off.
  5. Replace the air filter if it is dirty.
  6. On high-efficiency furnaces, check that the white PVC intake and exhaust pipes outside are not blocked by snow, ice, or debris.

If the furnace still will not heat, or it lights and shuts off repeatedly, stop resetting it and call (614) 418-6074. Many furnaces flash a diagnostic code through a small window on the lower panel. Note the pattern before you call.

When is a furnace problem a safety emergency?

If you smell natural gas, leave the building right away. Do not switch lights on or off or use anything that could spark. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside, and contact an HVAC provider only after responders say it is safe.

If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get everyone outside into fresh air and call 911. Carbon monoxide is odorless, and symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and nausea can resemble the flu.

Other warning signs that call for prompt service include scorch marks around the furnace, a yellow or flickering burner flame instead of a steady blue one, a burning electrical smell that does not fade, and soot near vents.

How does a furnace repair visit work?

  1. Call and describe the problem. Share the symptoms, any flashing code, the furnace’s approximate age, and the service address.
  2. Inspection and testing. The technician checks ignition, gas pressure, airflow, venting, safety switches, and controls.
  3. Findings and options. You get a plain explanation of what failed and what the repair costs before approving work.
  4. Repair and verification. After the repair, the furnace is run through full heating cycles to confirm it lights, heats, and shuts down properly.

Who needs furnace repair in Franklin County?

Furnace calls rise as soon as nights turn cold in October and November, and again during January cold snaps when furnaces run for long stretches.

  • Homeowners in Galloway, Prairie Township, Grove City, and Hilliard often discover a problem the first time they switch to heat each fall.
  • Landlords and property managers need fast action when a tenant reports no heat, since heat is a basic habitability expectation in rental housing.
  • Real estate investors renovating older homes across Southwest Columbus frequently need a furnace inspection before deciding whether to repair or replace.
  • Small businesses and offices need dependable heat for staff and customers, especially in older buildings with aging equipment.

How much does furnace repair cost?

Furnace repair cost depends on the cause, so a diagnosis normally comes before a reliable estimate. These factors change the price:

  • The specific part, such as a flame sensor, igniter, inducer motor, or control board
  • The furnace’s age, brand, and parts availability
  • Access, such as attic or crawlspace installations
  • After-hours or emergency timing
  • Whether venting, gas piping, or condensate drainage also needs work

A simple flame sensor cleaning costs far less than a control board or inducer motor replacement, which is why the diagnosis matters.

Should you repair or replace your furnace?

Repair makes sense when the furnace is in sound condition and the fix is a single part. Replacement deserves a closer look when the furnace is older, has needed several repairs in recent seasons, heats unevenly, or has a cracked heat exchanger. A cracked heat exchanger can allow combustion gases into the airstream and generally ends the repair conversation. Ask for the findings in writing, including photos when possible.

If replacement makes sense, the HVAC installation and replacement page explains sizing, efficiency ratings such as AFUE, and what affects the cost. Terms like “pressure switch” and “heat exchanger” are explained in the HVAC glossary.

FAQs

Why is my furnace blowing cold air? A furnace blowing cold air may have a dirty flame sensor, a failed igniter, a gas supply problem, a clogged filter causing it to overheat, or a thermostat fan set to “On” instead of “Auto.” Check the thermostat and filter first, then call for service if cold air continues.

Who provides furnace repair in Grove City and Galloway? Franklin County HVAC accepts furnace repair requests from Grove City, Galloway, and the rest of Prairie Township. Call (614) 418-6074 to describe the problem and confirm timing for your address.

Is 24-hour furnace repair available in Columbus? Franklin County HVAC accepts heating repair inquiries 24 hours a day. Technician dispatch and arrival times depend on demand and location and are confirmed when you schedule.

Why does my furnace turn on and then shut off after a few minutes? Short cycling often points to a dirty flame sensor, a clogged filter causing overheating, a venting or pressure switch problem, or an oversized furnace. Repeated shutdowns are usually a safety control doing its job, so have the cause diagnosed.

How do I know whether my furnace needs repair or replacement? Consider the furnace’s age, safety, efficiency, repair history, and the cost of the proposed repair. A qualified HVAC technician can assess whether repair or replacement is more practical. A cracked heat exchanger usually points toward replacement.

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Need Heating or AC Repair?

Having trouble with your furnace or air conditioner? Contact Franklin County HVAC to discuss your heating and cooling needs. Call (614) 418-6074 any time.

Supporting Ohio Communities Through Local Sponsorship

Franklin County HVAC is a proud sponsor of community events throughout the state of Ohio. As your local heating and cooling specialists, we believe in giving back to the Central Ohio communities we serve, including Columbus, Grove City, Hilliard, Westerville, Groveport, and surrounding areas.

Our Ohio Community Commitment

From Grove City summer festivals to Columbus charity fundraisers, we actively support events that bring Ohio families together. Local school programs, community celebrations, and neighborhood improvement initiatives all benefit from the sponsorships we provide. These efforts help make Franklin County a stronger and more connected place to live and work.

Discover Local Events

Looking for family-friendly activities in Ohio? Visit Ohio Free Events for comprehensive listings of sponsored community gatherings, festivals, and activities throughout the state.

When you choose Franklin County HVAC for your HVAC repair, furnace repair, or AC installation needs, you’re supporting a local business that reinvests in Ohio communities. Contact us today or call (614) 418-6074 to learn more about our heating and cooling services.

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