A modern furnace runs a strict startup sequence, and knowing where the sequence breaks is most of the diagnosis. The thermostat calls, the inducer motor spins up to prove draft through a pressure switch, the hot surface igniter glows, the gas valve opens, the burners light, the flame sensor confirms fire, and only then does the blower deliver heat to the house. In Ann Arbor, MI, the failures cluster at predictable points: an oxide-coated flame sensor, a hot surface igniter cracked from years of thermal cycling, a pressure switch that will not close because the inducer is weak or the condensate trap on a high-efficiency model has clogged, or a control board with a burned relay. Each one stops the sequence cold, and each one mimics the others from the hallway.
Ann Arbor HVAC repairs furnaces by testing the sequence, not guessing at it. Our experienced technicians watch the startup step by step and measure at each stage: igniter resistance, flame signal in microamps, pressure switch operation against actual inducer draft, gas valve voltage, and blower and capacitor health. Every visit includes the safety fundamentals on a fuel-burning appliance: heat exchanger inspection, leak-testing of gas connections, and flue draft verification, because the difference between a furnace problem and a furnace hazard is not visible from the thermostat. We measure temperature rise against the data plate before we leave so the fire and the airflow are matched the way the manufacturer intended.
Ann Arbor HVAC services natural gas, propane, and electric furnaces of every major brand, from standard 80 percent units to condensing high-efficiency models with their traps, drain lines, and dual pressure switches. Our trucks carry the parts that actually fail, such as igniters, flame sensors, pressure switches, capacitors, inducer assemblies, and blower motors, so a typical no-heat call ends with the house warming up. Call (734) 215-6957 for furnace repair anywhere in Ann Arbor, and we can have someone out today.
When the AC quits in summer, see AC Repair in Ann Arbor.
How Much Does Furnace Repair Cost in Ann Arbor?
Most furnace repairs in Ann Arbor cost between $150 and $600. Ignition and sensor problems are usually the least expensive, while blower motors, control boards, and heat exchangers cost more. Ann Arbor HVAC tests the system, finds the actual fault, and quotes the repair before any work begins.
| Repair | Typical cost | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Flame sensor cleaning or replacementFurnace lights, then shuts off within seconds | $80–$250 | Furnace lights, then shuts off within seconds |
| Hot surface igniter replacementNo ignition; one of the most common winter failures | $150–$400 | Furnace clicks and tries to start but never lights |
| Draft inducer motorLoud humming or grinding at startup, then lockout | $400–$1,000 | Startup fan fails, furnace won't fire |
| Blower motorBurners run but little or no air comes out of the vents | $400–$1,500 | Burners run but little or no air comes out of the vents |
| Control boardErratic behavior, error codes, or no response at all | $300–$700 | Erratic behavior, error codes, or no response at all |
| Gas valve replacementValve fails to open, so the furnace never lights | $250–$700 | Igniter glows but gas never flows to the burners |
Ranges are typical for these repairs; you get an exact quote before any work starts.
Factors That Change the Price
- The age and efficiency of the furnace, since high-efficiency models use more specialized parts
- A cracked heat exchanger, which is a safety issue and usually points to replacement
- Same-day or after-hours service versus a planned visit
- How easy the furnace is to reach
If your furnace is past 15 to 20 years old or the repair is a major one, we'll give you repair and replacement prices side by side. Call (734) 215-6957 to get your price.
Warning Signs for Furnace Repair
Recognizing the warning signs early can save you time, money, and prevent significant damage to your property. These are the signals our technicians see most often when a problem is underway:
- Air moving through the vents that never gets warm
- Squeals, scrapes, or grinding noises behind the blower door
- A bang or boom when the burners ignite late
- A flame that burns soft and yellow rather than steady blue
- Frequent on-off cycling that never reaches the thermostat setting
- Repeated shutdowns just seconds after the burners light
- The igniter glows and clicks, yet no flame ever appears
- Water, rust stains, or black soot around the flue or cabinet
Don't Wait for a Total Failure
A failing capacitor, clogged condensate drain, or dirty flame sensor rarely fixes itself and usually gets more expensive to address the longer it runs. Don't wait, get Ann Arbor HVAC on the phone at (734) 215-6957 and we'll take a look right away.
Ready to Solve Your Furnace Repair Problem?
Call our expert team for pricing today.
Get Help: (734) 215-6957Frequently Asked Questions About Furnace Repair
Why Professional Furnace Repair Matters
A furnace combines gas, flame, high voltage, and a flue in one cabinet, and the failure that matters most is the one you cannot see from outside: a compromised heat exchanger passing combustion gases into the air your blower pushes through the house. Delayed ignition that booms at light-off stresses that exchanger further every morning it goes unfixed. Meanwhile the diagnostic traps stack up: a furnace that trips its high limit may have a bad switch, or it may be protecting itself from a clogged filter or a dying blower, and replacing the switch in the second case just removes a safety while leaving the fault.
Our experienced technicians treat every symptom as a question about the whole system. Flame signal gets measured rather than assumed, so a healthy sensor is never replaced while a cracked igniter or weak gas valve skates by. Draft is verified at the pressure switch and the flue. Temperature rise is checked against the data plate, which is how airflow problems get caught before they shorten the exchanger's life. And the gas side is leak-tested with instruments, not a sniff and a shrug. The result is a furnace that has been proven safe and correct under a full cycle, and an honest report if the unit is nearing the point where replacement beats another repair.
How Our Furnace Repair Works
We work through a clear, repeatable process so nothing gets overlooked on your property. Here's how we handle furnace repair from start to finish:
Startup Sequence Testing
We run the furnace through its startup while we measure inducer draft, pressure switch response, igniter resistance, flame signal, and gas valve operation. The goal is to pinpoint the exact step that fails.
Safety Verification
On every visit, we inspect the heat exchanger, leak-test the gas connections, and confirm the flue is drafting. A repair is not complete until the unit is proven safe.
Targeted Repair
We fix the confirmed fault, and since igniters, flame sensors, pressure switches, capacitors, and motors are on the truck, most furnaces are heating again the same visit.
Final Cycle Testing
Before we head out, the furnace runs full cycles while we check temperature rise against the data plate, listen for clean, quiet ignition, and test each limit and safety control.
Not Sure What You Need?
We provide honest advice and upfront pricing on all furnace repair work.
Call (734) 215-6957 NowFurnace Repair Prevention Tips
Taking preventive measures can help you avoid costly heating and cooling problems down the road. Start with these practical measures our team relies on:
- Keep a working carbon monoxide alarm on every level of the home and check it each month
- Give the furnace room to breathe, since a crowded utility space starves the burners of air
- Store laundry supplies, especially chlorine products, well away from the furnace closet
- Listen at light-off; clean ignition is quiet, and booming means the burners need service
- Change the filter monthly during heating season; it is the cheapest furnace part you will ever buy
- On high-efficiency models, keep the condensate trap and drain line clear and draining
- Schedule service each fall to catch worn igniters and dirty sensors before cold weather arrives
Comparing DIY and Professional Furnace Repair
While some minor tasks like changing filters or checking a thermostat can be handled by homeowners, most HVAC work involves refrigerant, gas combustion, and high-voltage electricity, jobs that call for professional expertise. Consider the following comparison:
| Factor | DIY Attempt | Professional Service |
|---|---|---|
| Exchanger Cracks | No way to see a crack from outside | Inspected on every repair visit |
| Ignition Problems | New igniter installed on a hunch | Every stage measured before replacing parts |
| Gas Connections | Connections judged by smell | Every fitting checked with a detector |
| Limit Trips | Limit replaced, cause left behind | The airflow fault behind the trip found |
| Blower Setup | Airflow assumed, not measured | Blower tuned to the rated rise |
| Verification | It lit once, call it fixed | Complete cycles tested before we leave |
Talk to a Furnace Repair Expert
Every day you wait puts more strain on a struggling unit. Get Ann Arbor HVAC on the job today.
Get Help: (734) 215-6957Areas We Serve for Furnace Repair
We serve Ann Arbor and its neighboring communities for furnace repair, from quick same-day repairs to planned installs.