Furnace repair
No heat in December is urgent, and we treat it that way — 24/7 during cold weather, with a real arrival window on the call.
Before you call, three checks worth thirty seconds. They fix a surprising number of calls, and we'd rather you save the call-out fee.
Check these first
1. Thermostat. Set to heat, temperature set above the room temperature, and — if it's battery-powered — fresh batteries. Dead thermostat batteries are one of the most common "furnace failures" we attend. 2. Breaker. Furnaces run on electricity even when they burn gas. Check the panel and the switch on or near the furnace itself, which looks like a light switch and gets turned off by accident more often than you'd think. 3. Filter. A clogged filter can trip the safety limit and shut the furnace down. If it's grey and matted, replace it and try again.
Still nothing? Call 604-865-7979.
What's usually wrong
Blowing cold air. Ignition failure, a failed flame sensor, or gas supply. On older units, a pilot that won't stay lit. Not turning on at all. Thermostat, power, a tripped safety limit, or a failed control board. Short-cycling — on and off repeatedly. Restricted airflow (filter, closed vents), an oversized furnace, or a failing limit switch. Blowing but not heating. Ignition, flame sensor, or gas valve. Loud noises. Squealing is usually the blower motor or belt. Banging on startup can be delayed ignition, which is worth attending to promptly. Rattling is often loose ductwork. Short bursts then shutdown. Frequently a dirty flame sensor — cheap and quick.
⚠️ Burning smell. A faint dusty smell on the first run of the season is normal — that's dust burning off. A persistent burning, electrical or acrid smell is not: turn the furnace off and call us.
⚠️ Carbon monoxide. If your CO alarm sounds, leave the building and call 911 from outside. Don't investigate. A cracked heat exchanger is the usual cause and the furnace must not be run again until it's inspected. Every home with gas appliances should have a working CO alarm.
What it costs
No after-hours premium
Written price before we start. If the repair doesn't make economic sense on your unit, we'll say so and give you both numbers.
When we'll tell you to stop repairing
A cracked heat exchanger ends the conversation — that's a CO risk and the unit gets shut down, not fixed. Beyond that: over 15–20 years old, a repair costing more than a third of replacement, or a second significant failure in as many seasons. We'll show you the part and explain the reasoning rather than just quoting a new furnace.
