If there's a blinking red light on your furnace, or your heating system is blowing cool air—it's time to call your local ARS®/Rescue Rooter® heater repair specialist. We know that heating service problems are not just uncomfortable: they can be potentially dangerous in very cold weather, and can get worse if left untreated.
That's where our furnace, heat pump, and heating repair company can help. We have the expertise and experience to determine if it's heating system repair or basic maintenance that's needed—and we're available seven days a week in case of a heating emergency. Our team works on furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, and other home heating systems to help restore comfort to your home and family.
What Our Furnace Repair Service Includes
When you book furnace repair service with ARS/Rescue Rooter, a trained technician comes to your home, finds the cause of the problem, explains it in plain language, and walks you through your options before any work begins.
Systems we repair:
- Gas and electric furnaces
- Oil furnace repair and service
- Heat pumps and air handlers
- Ductless systems
- Boilers and other water-circulating systems with our boiler repair services
What to expect during your visit:
- Diagnosis of the symptoms you've noticed, such as no heat, odd smells, unusual noises, or short-cycling.
- A transparent estimate for the recommended repair before work starts.
- On-site repair or replacement of the failed part.
- A maintenance or replacement recommendation if that makes more sense than a repair.
Emergency services are available seven days a week, and our work is backed by our Exceptional Service Guarantee. If you're unsatisfied with our work at any time within one year of your original invoice, we'll do whatever we can to make it right.
Signs Your Heater Needs Repair
A heating system is an essential aspect of any home during the cold winter season. It's even more important to make sure your heating system is in good working order once fall rolls around and heating costs become more expensive.
If you notice any of these signs, it might be time to book emergency heating repair service from a professional HVAC company like ARS/Rescue Rooter:
Heater Has Trouble Starting
As furnaces age, they can have trouble starting when your thermostat calls for heat. A professional heating technician can find what's causing the problem and make any needed furnace repairs.
Odd Smells from Heating System
One of the best ways to know if your heating system needs furnace repair is by noticing an odd smell coming from the heating unit. This may indicate a buildup of debris in the heating area or some sort of chemical reaction which has produced a strange burning odor within the heater, or the faint smell of gas. Either can lead to heating problems, so if you notice a burning or unusual smell, have a trained heating and air conditioning technician check your heater as soon as possible. If you smell gas, leave your home right away without turning on lights or using your phone, as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises. Then follow the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) guidance to call 911 from a safe location.
Cold or Lukewarm Air Temperatures
Another problem that might require heating repair is air from your vents that feels cooler or hotter than it should. According to ARS, inconsistent heating can be a sign of a clogged duct or filter, or of a worn component that's no longer working at peak efficiency. Air that feels hotter than normal, especially if your furnace then shuts off mid-cycle, can point to overheating, which ARS notes can result from restricted airflow or dirty filters. Either way, you'll want to have our HVAC technician check out your heater during heating system repair service.
Constant Thermostat Adjustments
If you notice constant problems with your heating settings at home, whether you need to constantly adjust your thermostat up or down, this is another sign heating repair may be needed. The problem might be with your heating system or it could also indicate an issue with the heating unit's control circuit. Either way, if you constantly have to make heating adjustments, call us for heating repair.
Persistent Uncommon Noises
Older heating equipment can make strange noises that are easy to mistake for normal operating sounds. Banging, knocking, clicking, popping, whistling, or howling are all worth a closer look, and according to ARS, rattling or clicking sounds could indicate trouble with a crucial component, such as the fan. If you hear any of these sounds, it's best to call for furnace repair as soon as possible, before small problems become larger ones.
Short-Cycling
Another common issue among older heating systems is short cycling - when the heating unit turns on and off too quickly throughout the day which causes heating problems. While heating equipment is heating up, it's supposed to stay on until the optimal heating temperature is reached within your home and then the heating unit will turn off. If your heating equipment turns back on too quickly, it can point to a number of problems. According to ARS, possible causes include issues with the burner, filter, or flue.
Rising Utility Bill Costs
If you notice that your utility bills are steadily increasing (even though it isn't colder outside) this may indicate an issue with your heating equipment that requires furnace repair work. A furnace tune-up during regular heater maintenance may help you catch the problem and keep heating costs down.
Discolored Pilot Light
If your pilot light (the small flame that lights the burners in a gas furnace) looks discolored or weaker than usual, furnace repair work may be needed. A furnace that's working properly usually has blue burner flames. The Minnesota Department of Health lists an orange or yellow flame in combustion appliances as a sign of a potential carbon monoxide problem, so if you see one, or no flame at all, it's time for heating repair.
Poor Air Quality
If you notice an unusual smell in your home, it could mean there are pollutants in the air that need attention. Your furnace filter helps trap dust and other pollutants, and the EPA recommends that you change or clean filters regularly, following the package instructions. Headaches can be a warning sign, too. The EPA notes that even low levels of carbon monoxide can cause mild headaches, so if you're getting headaches at home, have your heating system checked.
Carbon Monoxide Detection
When heating equipment malfunctions, it may not vent carbon monoxide (CO) safely outside your home. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes carbon monoxide as odorless, colorless, and toxic and lists leaking furnaces among its sources. Because you can't see or smell it, working CO alarms are an important safeguard. The CPSC recommends installing CO alarms on each level of your home and outside sleeping areas, and advises you to test CO alarms monthly. If your CO alarm sounds, get outside immediately and call 911. Once everyone is safe, contact a heating technician to inspect your furnace and make any needed repairs.
Dirty Filters
If you find yourself replacing the filters in your heating equipment more often than usual, you might need heating repair service. Filters protect your heating system's parts, so a filter that's dirty or clogged with debris can lead to heating problems and may mean you're paying for more frequent replacements.
If any of these heating problems persist, it's time to have a heating repair company investigate the system for furnace repair service.
How to Troubleshoot Common Furnace Problems Before Calling for Repair
Winter heating bills are already costly, so it helps to know how to troubleshoot a few common problems on your own. Try these steps before you call a heating technician:
1) Clean/Replace the Air Filter
If your heating system has been running for several months without a clean or new air filter, it can cause problems with airflow and temperature control. As a general recommendation from ARS, change your air filter every three months. The right schedule for your home can vary with usage, climate, and maintenance history.
2) Check Thermostat's Batteries and Connectivity
Make sure the batteries inside of your thermostat are strong enough to power all of the heating system functions, including proper temperature regulation. Also, make sure the heating system is connected to your thermostat if you are using an electronic or programmable thermostat.
3) Clear Debris From Outdoor Units and Vents
Over time, leaves and other debris can build up around a heat pump's outdoor unit, which may reduce heating efficiency. Removing visible debris may help restore airflow. If you have a furnace, check its outside vents too. The CPSC recommends clearing snow away from outside vents for fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces so carbon monoxide doesn't build up in your home. If the problem continues, a heating technician can check whether it's coming from airflow, the fan blades, or motor parts.
4) Check Furnace Pilot Light and Burner
Your furnace pilot light can go out completely due to general wear and tear on lighting components over many heating sessions. Also, your heating technician can inspect small issues with heating burner parts if they notice a heating system is not heating correctly or in the correct temperature range.
5) Check All Vents and Registers
Inspect each heating vent and register for signs of debris buildup from general use over several heating seasons. If any of the heating equipment looks like it has been obstructed by debris, you will want to clean or replace that particular piece of equipment before calling for furnace service. This may help you save on heating repair costs.
6) Check for Tripped Breakers or Blown Fuses
A tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse can cut power to your heater even when the equipment itself is fine. Check your electrical panel and reset the breaker or replace the fuse if needed. If the breaker keeps tripping, call for heating service.
7) Shut the Heating Unit's Access Panel
Make sure any access panels on your heating equipment are fastened securely in place. A loose panel can keep your system from running properly, so securing it may help restore heat.
8) Contact ARS/Rescue Rooter and Our Team of Heating Specialists
If everything seems set up correctly and none of your heating equipment has been obstructed from regular use, heating equipment may be damaged or faulty. ARS/Rescue Rooter heating technicians are highly trained to identify heating problems and heating system damage, and can replace heating parts for you as needed to restore heating functionality. You may also want a heating specialist to come inspect your heating system if you have recently had a furnace repair service visit that did not fully fix the heating problem.
Don't let another winter go by without heat! Call ARS/Rescue Rooter today to set up an appointment with a local heater technician for furnace repair service near you.
What Affects the Cost of Furnace Repair
Every furnace repair is different, so your price depends on what's wrong and what it takes to fix it. According to ARS, two HVAC quotes for the same home can come in thousands of dollars apart, and it's typically not because one contractor is overcharging. These are the main factors that shape your cost:
- The part that failed: a small component like a thermostat or filter is usually a simpler fix than a major part of the system.
- Your system type and fuel: gas, electric, and oil furnaces, heat pumps, and boilers use different parts, so parts and labor vary.
- Age and parts availability: older furnaces tend to need repairs more often, and replacement parts for an old furnace can be harder to find.
- Scope of work: ARS identifies install complexity and whether additional work such as ductwork or electrical is required as major drivers of HVAC pricing.
- Timing: emergency repairs may include additional fees.
- Warranty coverage: let us know about any warranties when you book, since some parts may be covered.
Before any work begins, your technician will share a transparent estimate so you can decide with confidence. If a larger repair or a new system doesn't fit your budget right now, ask about our flexible financing options, which offer monthly payments and quick credit decisions through third-party partners.
Should You Repair or Replace Your Furnace?
Sometimes a repair is the smartest move, and sometimes it makes more sense to put that money toward a new system. Use these guidelines as a starting point:
- Check your system's age: as a general recommendation from ARS, plan to replace furnaces every eight to 10 years and heat pumps every eight years. Your timeline can vary with usage, climate, maintenance history, and installation quality.
- Compare the repair to a new system: ARS recommends a general rule: if a repair quote is more than half the cost of a new system and the unit is over 10 years old, replacement usually makes more financial sense over the life of the system.
- Know the typical replacement range: according to ARS, a furnace-only replacement typically ranges from about $6,500 to $9,000, depending on furnace type, size, and efficiency. Learn more about furnace replacement costs.
- Watch for repeat repairs: according to ARS, once a furnace passes the 10-year mark, repair costs tend to get higher and more frequent.
- Heat pump owners: according to ARS, the refrigerant transition that began in 2025 is expected to push repair and replacement costs on older R-410A systems higher over the next several years, which may change the repair-or-replace math for older heat pumps.
Not sure which way to go? Your technician can walk you through both options during your repair visit.
Quality Furnace Repair That Fits Your Schedule
At ARS/Rescue Rooter, your comfort is always our top priority. We'll respond quickly to your heating problem, and our goal is to get the job done right the first time. Every furnace repair is backed by our Exceptional Service Guarantee.
Before you schedule your appointment, you may want to take a moment to get familiar with certain heating components and your current setup. Take a look at your furnace to determine its brand and model, and be sure to let us know the approximate age of the system and any warranties that may be in effect.
For any other questions or concerns about your furnace or heating system, all you have to do is call the experts at an ARS/Rescue Rooter near you at 866-399-2885.
