Heat pump or furnace? That is the first thing that matters when the heat quits in San Mateo, CA, because the two fail in completely different ways. Heat pumps tend to freeze up when defrost stops working, get stuck in cooling when a reversing valve fails, or quietly lean on the electric backup strips, at several times the normal operating cost, when the outdoor unit dies. Gas furnaces typically come down to the flame sensor: once oxide coats it, the burners light but the flame cannot be proven, so the board cuts the gas and locks out after three tries. After that, the usual suspects are cracked hot surface igniters, stuck pressure switches, clogged condensate traps on high-efficiency models, and blower motors at the end of their life.
Our most requested repair is Furnace Repair. Start there if your system isn't running right.
Signs You Need Heating Repair in San Mateo
Recognizing the warning signs early can save you time and money. Watch for these telltale signs:
- Energy costs climbing even though the house feels colder
- Frequent on-off cycles that never bring rooms up to temperature
- Booming or banging at ignition, a sign of delayed burner light-off
- Burning, musty, or rotten-egg odors when the heat runs
- A furnace that tries to light, clicks, and then quits
- The thermostat calls for heat but the vents blow cold air or nothing
- A heat pump's outdoor unit encased in frost or ice
- Cold rooms in one part of the house while others are comfortable
Don't Wait for a Total Failure
Most HVAC failures start small, a weak capacitor, a squealing blower, a system that runs a little longer each week. Call (650) 220-0817 at the first sign of trouble.
