Furnace Repair in the Seattle Metropolitan Area

Your furnace is on, but your home still feels chilly. What’s going on?

Here are five possible causes:

• Dirty air filters – When filters are clogged, airflow gets blocked and your furnace can’t push out heat effectively.
• Thermostat issues – Faulty wiring, wrong settings, or a dead battery can cause your system to run improperly.
• Pilot light or ignition failure – Without ignition, your gas furnace won’t fire up.
• Tripped circuit breaker – Electric furnaces won’t run if power to the system is cut off.
• Blower motor issues – The furnace may be heating, but if the blower isn’t working, you won’t feel warm air.

We’ll identify the problem quickly and get your system back to peak efficiency.

Sometimes it’s a simple fix—other times, we recommend repairs or upgrades to keep things running smoothly long-term.

If your furnace keeps turning on and off rapidly, it’s likely short-cycling.

Short cycling happens when your system can’t complete a full heating cycle. It wastes energy, wears down parts, and leaves your house feeling unevenly heated.

Here are four common causes, and what you can do:

• Clogged air filter – Replace the filter. Restricted airflow can cause overheating and shut the system off prematurely.
• Oversized furnace – A furnace that’s too powerful for your space will heat up too fast and shut down. A technician can assess sizing.
• Thermostat problems – Move it away from heat sources or direct sunlight. Replace batteries or reprogram settings.
• Flame sensor issues – A dirty or faulty sensor might shut off the burners too early. Cleaning or replacement usually fixes it.

Short-cycling shortens your furnace’s life. We’ll troubleshoot and get your heating system working the way it should.

Nothing. No sound, no warm air, no signs of life? Start with the basics.

• Check the thermostat settings
• Make sure the furnace switch is ON
• Inspect the circuit breaker
• Replace the air filter
• Reset the furnace if your model allows

Still nothing?

Call BelRed. It could be a failed ignition, blower motor, control board, or a deeper issue. We’ll bring the tools, run diagnostics, and get your heat back on fast.

Banging, squealing, whirring—noisy furnaces aren’t just annoying. They’re often warning signs.

Here are some of the usual suspects:

• Loose belts
• Worn bearings
• Cracked heat exchanger
• Dirty burners
• Rattling ducts
• Fan motor problems

You can try tightening access panels and replacing filters, but if the noise continues, it’s time to bring in a pro. We’ll track the sound to its source and recommend the right fix.

Unusual noises rarely go away on their own, and the longer you wait, the bigger (and louder) the problem gets.

Most furnace repairs can be completed in just a few hours, often in a single visit. It really depends on what’s wrong, how accessible the system is, and whether replacement parts are needed.

For example, if it’s a clogged air filter, dirty flame sensor, or a malfunctioning thermostat, we’re usually done in under an hour. These are quick fixes that don’t require special parts and can be resolved right on the spot.

More involved repairs, like a blower motor replacement or ignitor failure, typically take between 1.5 to 3 hours. If your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger or major electrical issues, the repair could take longer, sometimes even requiring a second visit if specialty parts need to be ordered.

Our technicians always show up with fully stocked trucks, so most repairs don’t require waiting for parts. We aim to diagnose, explain, and repair in one trip whenever possible. And if something takes longer, we’ll walk you through the timeline so there are no surprises.

In short, some fixes are faster than a lunch break, while more complex repairs take a bit more time. Either way, we work quickly without cutting corners.

We get this question a lot. If your furnace is less than 10 years old and the repair is minor, fixing it usually makes sense. But if the cost of repairs keeps creeping up, or your system is over 15 years old, replacement is often the smarter move.

A new furnace installation offers better energy efficiency, quieter operation, and lower monthly bills. And with available financing options, upgrading doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.

We’ll never pressure you. Instead, we’ll give you the facts—cost comparisons, system performance, and estimated lifespan—so you can decide what makes the most sense.

It depends on the age and condition of your furnace, as well as the type of repair. A well-timed fix—like replacing a worn ignitor or cleaning a dirty flame sensor—can add several years of life to a system that’s otherwise in good shape.

If your furnace is 10–12 years old, repairs can often extend its lifespan by 2–5 years, especially when paired with regular maintenance. But if the system is over 15 years and breaking down frequently, repairs may only buy you time—not long-term reliability.

We’ll always give you an honest outlook based on the repair and your system’s overall health. Our goal is to help you get the most out of your furnace, whether it’s for a season or several more years.

Strange smells coming from your furnace can range from harmless to hazardous, so it’s important to pay attention to what your nose is telling you.

Here are some common furnace smells and what they might mean:

• Burning Dust: Very common when turning on the furnace for the first time in months. Dust burns off the heat exchanger and other internal parts, causing a burnt smell. This usually disappears after a few cycles.
• Electrical or Metallic Smell: Could signal overheating wires, a burned-out motor, or failing components. This is a serious issue that needs quick attention.
• Sulfur or Rotten Eggs: Often a sign of a natural gas leak. Natural gas is odorless, but utilities add a sulfur-like smell to help detect leaks.
• Musty or Moldy Odors: Could be mold or mildew in your ductwork or around your furnace filter—especially if there’s poor ventilation.
• Oil Smell: If you have an oil furnace, this may indicate an oil leak or incomplete combustion.

What You Can Check First:

• Change or clean your furnace filter if it hasn’t been replaced recently.
• Check around the unit for visible soot, leaks, or signs of overheating.
• Ensure vents are unblocked and open for good airflow.
• If it’s the first use of the season, give it a few cycles to burn off any settled dust.

When to Call a Professional:

If the smell is persistent, chemical, metallic, sulfur-like, or worsening, shut the system off immediately and call us. These odors can signal serious problems like gas leaks, electrical malfunctions, or combustion issues. Don’t try to fix these yourself. Our licensed technicians will arrive quickly, inspect the system safely, and get to the root of the issue so your home stays both warm and safe.

Ideally, once a year, preferably before the cold season kicks in. Annual furnace maintenance keeps your equipment running smoothly, extends its life, and helps avoid unexpected heating issues. We inspect the heat exchanger, test safety systems, clean components, and ensure everything is working at peak efficiency. It’s a small step that saves big money down the road.