Furnace and Heat Pump Repair Around Tyler
East Texas winters are mostly mild, which means heating systems can sit idle for months and then get pushed hard by a sudden cold snap. That is when a dusty flame sensor or a tired heat strip shows up.
The short version
Gas furnaces most often fail at the ignition and flame-sensing steps, or with blower and control problems. Heat pumps run into defrost, reversing valve, heat strip and outdoor fan problems. Ask what failed, what was replaced, and, for gas furnaces, whether the venting and heat exchanger were checked.
- Typical asks: furnace clicks but will not light, heat pump blows cool air, burning smell on first use
- Ask about: safety checks, CO test, parts
Heating estimate request
About a minute. Send the details and expect a call back to talk the project through.
- Common scope
- Clean or replace flame sensor and igniter, replace inducer or blower motor, test heat strips, defrost controls, reversing valve
- Season to plan around
- Fall check before the first cold front
- House watch-out
- A dusty burning smell on first use is normal briefly; a lingering one is not
- Safety
- Every home with gas appliances needs working CO alarms
Gas furnace problems
- Flame sensor: a dirty sensor lets the burner light, then shuts it off a few seconds later. Cleaning often fixes it.
- Igniter: hot surface igniters crack with age.
- Inducer motor and pressure switch: the furnace must prove the vent is clear before lighting.
- Blower motor and capacitor: the furnace heats but no air moves, or the furnace shuts off on high temperature.
- Filters: a clogged filter can overheat a furnace and trip its safety limit.
Heat pump problems
- Cool air in heating mode: the system may be in defrost, which is normal for a few minutes. If it lasts, the reversing valve or controls may be at fault.
- Ice-covered outdoor unit: a little frost is normal; a solid block of ice is not.
- Heat strips: backup electric heat that helps during cold snaps. Failed strips leave the house cold when it matters most.
- Emergency heat: runs heat strips only. Useful if the outdoor unit fails, but expensive to run for long.
The U.S. Department of Energy explains how heat pumps work and why they use backup heat in colder weather (U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver (heat pumps)).
Carbon monoxide
Gas furnaces burn fuel and vent exhaust outside. A cracked heat exchanger, blocked flue or disconnected vent can let carbon monoxide into the house. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends CO alarms on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, carbon monoxide). If a CO alarm sounds, get everyone outside and call 911 or the gas company from outside.
Cold snaps
The February 2021 winter storm brought days of extreme cold and widespread power outages across Texas (Wikipedia: 2021 Texas power crisis). The National Weather Service Shreveport office issues hard freeze and winter storm warnings for Tyler and Smith County (National Weather Service Shreveport (covers Tyler and Smith County)). A fall check before the first cold front is the best way to avoid a failure at the worst time. See the cold snap guide and what shapes a heating repair.
Sizing up the job: see what shapes a heating repair on the estimate-factors page. It lists what moves the scope, never a price.
Further reading
Sources for this page: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, carbon monoxide; U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver (heat pumps); National Weather Service Shreveport (covers Tyler and Smith County); Wikipedia: 2021 Texas power crisis.
Furnace & Heat Pump Repair: what people ask
Why does my furnace light and then shut off?
A dirty flame sensor is the most common cause. A clogged filter or venting problem can also trip safety switches.
Why is my heat pump blowing cool air?
It may be in defrost mode, which is normal for short periods. If it continues, have it checked.
What is emergency heat?
A setting that runs only the backup heat strips. Use it if the outdoor unit fails, then have the system repaired.
Is a burning smell normal when the heat first comes on?
A brief dusty smell on first use is common. A lingering burning or electrical smell is not.
Do I need a carbon monoxide alarm?
Yes, if the home has any gas appliances or an attached garage. The CPSC recommends one on every level.
Heating repair estimates by town
Home age, house styles, building offices and even the utility change from one town to the next. Pick yours for local notes.
Tyler and north Smith County
South and east Smith County
Nearby East Texas cities
Often planned alongside
HVAC Maintenance & Tune-Ups
Spring cooling and fall heating tune-ups: coils, drains, electrical parts, refrigerant checks, burners and safety controls.
AC & Heat Pump Replacement
Replacing worn-out AC systems and heat pumps: load calculations, matched indoor and outdoor equipment, SEER2 efficiency, refrigerant changes and permits.
Ductwork & Airflow
Leaky, crushed or undersized attic ducts, weak airflow, hot rooms upstairs, returns, insulation and balancing.
Planning heating work?
Send the details and expect a call back to talk the project through.