Heater & Furnace Repair in San Antonio

Why Is My Heater Blowing Cold Air?

A heater blowing cold air usually comes down to three things. The thermostat fan is set to ON instead of AUTO, so it blows air between heating cycles. The filter is clogged and a safety switch is shutting the burners off. Or the furnace isn’t igniting at all.

On a heat pump, air that feels lukewarm can be normal. Heat pump air runs cooler than a gas furnace’s, even when it’s heating your home just fine. Our guide on why your heater is blowing cold air walks through each check.

Why Won’t My Furnace or Heat Pump Turn On?

Before you call, check these. They take about five minutes and need no tools.

1. Thermostat: set to HEAT, set a few degrees above the room temperature, with fresh batteries.
2. Breakers: look for a tripped breaker for the furnace or air handler and, on a heat pump, the outdoor unit. Reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off and call us.
3. Power switch: most furnaces have a switch near the unit that looks like a light switch. Make sure it’s on.
4. Front panel: the furnace door has a safety switch. If the panel isn’t seated all the way, the furnace won’t run.
5. Filter: a filter packed with dust can shut the system down to protect it.

If one of those fixed it, you don’t need us. If none of them did, stop resetting things and give us a call.

Is a Burning Smell Normal When the Heat First Comes On?

Usually, yes. Dust settles on the furnace or heat strips during the long months San Antonio heaters sit unused, and it burns off the first time the heat runs. The smell should fade after the first few heating cycles. Our post on why your furnace has a burning smell covers the details.

It isn’t normal if the smell keeps going, smells like hot wiring or melting plastic, or comes with smoke. Turn the system off at the thermostat and call us.

If you smell rotten eggs, that’s gas. Leave the house, don’t flip any switches, and call 911 or your gas company from outside.

What’s Normal for a Heat Pump in a Cold Snap?

In cold, damp weather, a heat pump’s outdoor unit collects frost and runs a defrost cycle to melt it. Steam coming off the unit for a few minutes is part of that. A thick layer of ice that stays, or a fan that won’t spin, means something is wrong.

Your thermostat may have an EM HEAT or emergency heat setting. Only use it if the outdoor unit has stopped working. It runs on electric heat strips, which keep you warm but cost more to run, so call us to get the heat pump back on.

What Happens When a Technician Comes Out?

1. We ask what you’ve noticed: no heat, weak heat, noises, smells, or a breaker that keeps tripping.
2. We check the thermostat, airflow, electrical connections, the heat source and the safety controls. On a furnace that includes ignition and gas pressure. On a heat pump it includes the defrost system.
3. We tell you what failed, what it takes to fix it, and what your options are.
4. We do the repair only after you approve it.

Do You Offer Emergency Heater Repair?

Yes. We answer heating calls 24/7, including nights, weekends and freeze weeks, and offer same-day heater repair.

While you wait, close blinds and doors to hold heat in the rooms you’re using. If you use a space heater, keep it clear of bedding and curtains and plug it straight into a wall outlet.

A hard freeze can hit your pipes as well as your heater. Because we’re plumbers too, the same call covers both. See our plumbing repair services.

Should I Repair or Replace My Heater?

Our position is simple: we look to repair your system before we talk about replacing it. Most heaters in San Antonio last 10 to 15 years with regular maintenance.

Repair usually makes sense when:

• The system is younger and has been reliable
• The problem is a single part
• The repair cost is reasonable for the system’s age

Replacement may be the better choice when:

• The system is older and breaking down often
• A major part like the heat exchanger or compressor has failed
• Your energy bills keep climbing
• You’re spending money on repairs without getting reliable heat back

If replacement is the right call, we’ll go over options on our heater installation page.

What Does Heater Repair Cost?

The price depends on what failed, the type of system, its age and condition, and whether the part is under warranty. That’s why a quote over the phone isn’t reliable. We diagnose the problem in person and give you the price before any work starts.

How Do I Keep My Heater From Breaking Down?

Most heating breakdowns we see start small. A fall tune-up catches worn parts before the first cold front, and changing the filter regularly keeps airflow where it should be. Learn what’s included in our heater maintenance, or save on yearly service with our membership plan.

Schedule Heater Repair in San Antonio

No heat, weak heat, or a heater that won’t shut off? Call (210) 404-7723 or book online, and a licensed technician will find the problem and explain your options before any work begins.