What is the Most Expensive Part to Fix on a Furnace?
Several things can go wrong with your furnace, from blowing cool air to short cycling. However, as a homeowner, how do you know what is wrong and how much it will cost? Not all furnace repairs are created equally, and the furnace repair cost of several components is much higher than others. Regardless of the problem, the Universal Heating & Air team has got you covered. With over 20 years of experience serving the amazing people of the Los Angeles area, we can quickly and efficiently diagnose and repair any variety of furnaces on the market. Do Furnace Repair Costs Vary by Type? Yes, the cost of what you will pay can vary greatly depending on the variety and manufacturer of your furnace. If you are concerned with replacing components on your older model furnace, don’t worry; we offer free estimates and will only repair a furnace once the homeowner understands the overall cost. What Is the Average Furnace Repair Cost? In addition to the make, model, and manufacturer of the furnace, the cost of the component, labor, and other factors will determine the cost of repairing a furnace. For example, air filter replacement costs will typically be far less than replacing a significant component, such as blower motors, gas valves, or an ignition switch. In Los Angeles, California, the average furnace repair cost is anywhere between $300 to $2,000 in total. Inducer Motor Typically, the most expensive component on your furnace to have replaced is the draft inducer motor. The part is found on the top portion of your heating unit and plays a critical role in the heating cycle. This motor-driven fan blows heated air through the entire heating system, including the furnace and air ducts. If the inducer motor is faulty, the furnace will switch on, but no air will move through the system. A failsafe in the furnace will shut the unit off entirely if the inducer motor does not turn on. Depending on the model, make, and brand of the inducer motor, the cost of parts is anywhere between $600 to $1,300. The labor costs to install the new motor are between $300 to $600. The total replacement costs are from $900 to $1,900. Blower Motor The blower motor is typically found in the bottom portion of a furnace and sits inside a large cylindrical case called a squirrel cage and is critical because it helps push warm air into your home. There are three main varieties of blower motors: variable speed blower motors, permanent split-capacitor, and electronically commutated motors. The price of simple blower motor repairs can be very inexpensive, especially if you are not replacing the squirrel cage. However, you will typically pay more if you have an older model furnace and need a new variable-speed blower motor. The average cost of a total blower motor replacement is between $330 to $960. A new blower motor costs between $150 and $600, while labor costs between $180 and $330. However, be aware that if you have an older model furnace and need the entire blower motor and assembly replaced, you could spend more than $2,000. Heat Exchanger As the name suggests, heat exchangers transfer hot air from one place to another. The component is located near the burners and is in every natural gas furnace. In addition to mixing hot and cold air, which creates the comfortable, warm air you feel coming from your registers, the heat exchanger plays another crucial role: It helps eliminate unwanted combustion gases from the air circulating through the home. The heat exchanger is definitely one of the most expensive components on your furnace to replace. The cost of the component is between $400 to $600. Swapping out the heat exchanger is a labor-intensive job that can take several hours to complete. The labor cost can vary and is between $200 to $400. The overall cost of replacing a heat exchanger is between $600 to $1,000. If you suspect your furnace’s heat exchanger is damaged, it is critical to contact the professionals at Universal Heating & Air right away. A cracked heat exchanger can cause dangerous carbon monoxide gases to leak into your home. Evaporator Coil The evaporator coil plays a crucial role in your HVAC system, especially if you own a central air conditioner in addition to a furnace. When you run the furnace, this component creates a comfortable temperature by helping condition the air. As far as the central AC is concerned, the coil houses refrigerant, and when warm air is blown over the coil, it is cooled and dispersed through the home. Evaporator coils are manufactured from different metals, and the brand and variety of coils will dictate the replacement price—a replacement coil costs anywhere from $150 to $550. The cost of labor is between $300 to $700. The overall cost is between $450 to $1,250. Additionally, if you have an older model HVAC system that uses R22 refrigerant, you may need to have the system’s coolant recharged. Combustion Chamber A combustion chamber is found in all oil furnaces and natural gas furnaces, and as the name would suggest, the chamber is where gas is burned to create the heat that warms your home. Your furnace will either feature a sealed or atmospheric combustion chamber. The cost to replace this component depends on the type of chamber, the manufacturer, and the furnace’s age. The cost of the chamber is typically between $250 to $400. The labor costs your HVAC contractor will charge between $300 to $500. The overall total is between $550 to $900. Thermostat Replacement All HVAC units require a thermostat to control the temperature of the home. There are several different varieties of thermostats available, and because of this, the overall cost can vary greatly. For example, you will pay far more for a state-of-the-art programmable touchscreen thermostat than a simple, old-fashioned dial model. Because of this, the average price of a thermostat repair or replacement can vary wildly. The cost of a new thermostat is between $100-$650. Installing a thermostat costs between $100-$150, making the total cost between $200-$800. HVAC contractors can help you determine the ideal thermostat model for your home and needs. Gas Valve Replacement The gas valve
Is It Worth Fixing a Furnace?
The answer to this frequently asked question depends on your furnace’s age and condition and the repair cost. Generally speaking, if you have an old model furnace with frequent or inefficient problems, replacing it with a newer model may be more cost-effective. However, if your furnace is relatively new and only requires minor repairs, it may be worth fixing rather than replacing. It’s also important to consider any warranties or guarantees that may apply to your furnace before deciding. Ultimately, the best way to determine if it’s worth fixing your furnace is to consult with a qualified heating and cooling contractor for their expert opinion. Furnace Repair or Furnace Replacement? Picture this: it’s a cold winter night, and you find yourself shivering within the walls of your own home. Immediately, you turn on the heat, only to find that your furnace is malfunctioning. Not only is this an incredibly inconvenient time for this to happen, but it also raises many questions. The biggest question of all is whether to repair or replace your furnace. Whether you’re dealing with an old furnace, a new heating system, or a furnace that has required regular maintenance in the past, there are a great many factors that go into deciding if it is worth it to perform furnace repair or to simply all-out replace your furnace. Your Furnace’s Age Sadly, heating systems are not always reliable. Generally speaking, a furnace’s expected lifespan is 15-25 years. If it’s younger than that, you could easily still have an efficient furnace in your home that could work wonders with a simple repair. But suppose your faulty old furnace falls within that age range, rather than consistently re-upping and paying increasingly greater sums to service technicians from a utility company to perform major repairs on your HVAC system. In that case, it’s probably best to simply spring for a replacement furnace. Your Furnace is Making Noise If you hear strange noises from your furnace anytime you turn it on or off, it may be a sign of malfunction, but it could also be something else entirely. More often than not, loud noises come from unsecured ductwork, which can then tend to rattle about. It could also be less severe issues with your furnace, such as an unbalanced inducer motor. However, such loud noises could also indicate motor failure, a cracked heat exchanger, or even more significant issues. It’s tough to tell any significant difference between these various noises, so it is always best to contact a service technician such as Universal Heating & Air to ensure your HVAC system is working properly. How Much Should It Cost to Repair a Furnace in Los Angeles? The cost of furnace repair can vary wildly and solely depends upon which parts of the furnace need repairs. Making repairs over the years can help keep your furnace running in great shape, but the cost depends on whether we are talking about major or minor furnace repairs. Furnace replacement generally costs anywhere between $3,500 and $6,500. Generally speaking, furnace repairs should remain under $2,000 to remain a viable option. After a certain point, if the cost of repairs exceeds that, the question of whether to repair or replace your furnace is essentially answered for you, as repairing is destined to only dig you deeper and deeper into higher costs. The three most expensive individual parts for furnace repair are the circuit board, the blower motor, and the draft inducer motor. If one of these three parts is badly damaged, it may make repairing or replacing that much simpler, as they will rack up enormous costs. When these parts malfunction, it’s time to replace them. Natural Gas Most furnaces run on natural gas and heating oil, from older furnaces to modern ones. This has been and remains one of the most efficient and long-lasting heating systems, but it does come with the risk of a malfunctioning furnace emitting carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is highly poisonous, and such a leak would require you to evacuate your home and get your furnace replaced immediately. It would also necessitate you calling the fire department to get their assistance in subduing the leak. A healthily operating furnace will be burning with bright blue flames, indicating the sheer heat of the furnace. However, if those flames ever turn to yellow flames, it is time to evacuate and call the fire department, as it is an early warning sign of a carbon monoxide leak. Yellow flames are one of the multiple warning signs you must constantly be on the lookout for when it comes to your furnace. Similarly, if you find evidence such as streaks of soot around your furnace, absence of any kind of upward draft carrying gases upward and out of your home, or multiple household members feeling ill, evacuate the home immediately and call for help. When the Cost of a Heating Repair Is Over Half the Cost of a Replacement To repair or replace? If the cost to repair your furnace becomes greater than half of your furnace’s replacement cost, it will be much more cost-effective to simply replace your furnace. An old furnace, especially one that has lived out over 75% of its life expectancy, will have a higher repair cost and utility bills and ultimately cause higher energy bills. Instead of paying ever-increasing costs for furnace repair work, simply call our team at Universal Heating & Air and have us replace your furnace entirely the first time, saving you money in the long run. Electric Furnace The alternative to natural gas-powered furnaces, electric heaters – usually the lowest-priced purchase – offer a relatively inexpensive option for installation. However, they are much more difficult to operate and notoriously less reliable. Electric furnaces are much more commonly found in warmer states, where the HVAC system is not put through the high-stakes pressures of frigid winters. Electric Furnace Sequencer Replacement For comparison of costs, an electric furnace’s most expensive individual part is a sequencer. The sequencer helps electrical power heater
Why is My AC Running but Not Cooling?
Living in the Los Angeles area, you know how crucial it is to your comfort to have a functioning central air conditioner. Unfortunately, one of the customers’ most common issues is an air conditioner that suddenly stops blowing cold air. What should you do in this situation? There are many potential culprits and reasons why your AC is blowing warm air rather than cool air. The professionals at Universal Heating & Cooling are just the team you need to diagnose the problem and find a solution you can afford. Cool Air Not Coming Out? Low Refrigerant or Refrigerant Leak Your home’s air conditioner works on a cooling cycle, and refrigerant is critical. The refrigerant is stored in a series of copper refrigerant tubing and works by drawing heat energy from inside the home and safely releasing it outside. The refrigerant levels must remain constant for the system to work correctly. Unfortunately, if there is damage to the refrigerant lines, the cooling system cannot release warm indoor air outside and replace it with cool air. If there is a refrigerant leak, the issue should always be handled by a professional air conditioning technician. An HVAC technician can pinpoint the cause of refrigerant leaks, such as damage to the copper lines, and refill the unit with coolant. Obstructed Air Flow Can Mess Up the Air Conditioning System For your air conditioner to blow cold air, there must be a constant flow of air around and through the system. The unit’s job is to eliminate hot air from inside your home and replace it with cool air. If there is any obstruction, this cycle cannot occur, and your air conditioner will blow warm air or stop working altogether. One of the most common causes of obstructed or improper airflow is a clogged or dirty air filter. The air filters on your HVAC system play a critical role. They remove airborne particles from outdoor air before circulating inside your home. Your air filter is supposed to get very dirty, but it needs to be periodically tossed out or cleaned. If your HVAC system’s air filter becomes clogged or very dirty, it will obstruct airflow in the inside unit and cause various problems, including an ac system that is blowing hot air. The Expansion Valve Is Clogged An often overlooked component of your air conditioning system, the expansion valve is found in the evaporator coils and regulates the amount of liquid refrigerant that can enter the coil. If the valve becomes clogged or fails, the refrigerant cannot be released, and your ac unit will not blow cold air. It can be tricky to locate the expansion valve and even more challenging to determine if there is an issue. This is a common cause of cooling problems and one, as a homeowner, you will probably overlook. That is why you should always contact an HVAC technician if you are experiencing any significant issues with your central air conditioning system. Faulty Thermostat Imagine this scenario: You wake up on a hot Los Angeles morning, and no cold air is blowing out of the registers. You panic and assume the worst-case scenario has occurred, such as a faulty heat pump system or a bad condenser unit, and you see your wallet slowly emptying. Before you lose your cool, walk over to your thermostat and check the temperature. If there is an issue with your thermostat, such as a set of dead batteries, or a curious kid who loves to push buttons, your central air conditioning system cannot maintain the desired temperature. Often, you will find that simply adjusting the temperature setting on the thermostat is all you will need to do to fix the issue. Faulty Outdoor Unit = No Cold Air All central AC systems are comprised of two major sections: The indoor unit and the outdoor unit. The indoor unit houses a fan coil cabinet that contains your evaporator coil. If you have a furnace, this will often house the indoor components. Otherwise, you will have a fan coil, or the evaporator coil will be found in the indoor air handler unit. The outdoor unit is that giant metal box outside your home that contains the compressor, fan, and condenser coils. If there is damage to this outdoor condenser unit, which can occur after a storm or even through vandalism, the entire unit can blow warm air or even stop working altogether. Dirty or Damaged Evaporator Coil Once again, the evaporator coil is found inside your home and plays a critical role in the cooling cycle. The job of the evaporator coil, which is filled with evaporated refrigerant, is to draw warm air out of your house. The evaporator coil is connected to a compressor, and if the coil or the AC compressor malfunctions, heat energy exchange cannot occur. A faulty or frozen evaporator coil is another common issue that can be tricky to pinpoint. Once again, leave it to the professionals at Universal Heating & Air to diagnose the problem and make any necessary repairs. Faulty or Clogged Condenser Coil The evaporator coil and its counterpart, the condenser coil, work in tandem and are two critical components in all air conditioning systems. The condenser coil is attached to a condenser fan. The heated, pressurized refrigerant travels to the condenser coils, where it is released outside your home. Once again, if this outdoor coil suffers any type of damage and it cannot do its job properly, your AC will blow hot air. Damaged Air Ducts Will Slow Down the Cooling Process Your air conditioner often stops blowing cold air quickly, and the issues mentioned above are typically the problem. However, what if the airflow is diminished, and the air coming from the registers feels slightly warmer than it should? Believe it or not, the problem could be damaged air ducts. When the air ducts running through your basement and the rest of your home suffer damage, the hot air surroundings the ductwork mixes with the
