Furnace Repair Arlington

On average, homeowners in Arlington pay $150 to $400 for furnace repairs. Yet, the difficulty of the job can push many prices above that typical range—up to and beyond $1,000. And some problems impact more than just the furnace itself.

An average HVAC service call in Arlington usually falls between $75 and $200, varying with the company, the seriousness of the problem, and the season. Also, some companies might put this fee toward any repairs that need making.

In Arlington, the time it takes to mend a malfunctioning furnace can fluctuate based on the particular problem and how readily available replacement parts are. Quick, minor fixes—like swapping out a bad thermostat or unclogging a dirty filter—might only take a couple of hours. But if a furnace has deep, structural issues—like with the heat exchanger or blower motor—it might take all day to get it running again, and some problems might require the technician to come back the next day to finish up. And if the technician has to order parts, that could add several days to the repair timeline. All in all, most furnace repairs in Arlington are done well within the day.

The cost to swap out a furnace and ductwork in Arlington can be quite different from place to place. That's largely because the furnace and ductwork itself can vary so much in type, size, and design, from simple to pretty complex, and from standard to high-efficiency models. Toss in local contractor rates, which can range from really low to really high, and you can see why it's hard to come up with a single number for the cost of this job across the board.Or.is it? Let's try some averaging.

The heat exchanger is usually the most expensive part to fix on a furnace. Its replacement or repair can be costly due to the complexity and time involved in the process. In addition, if the heat exchanger is cracked or damaged, it typically requires a complete replacement, which adds to the cost of the repair.

A furnace usually lasts for 15 to 20 years, but that number can vary widely based on some factors. For one, the quality of the furnace itself affects how long it will last. Then there's maintenance: a furnace that's been well maintained will far outlast one that's been neglected. The same is true for usage: a furnace that's been used heavily may not make it to the 20-year mark. And finally, there's climate: the colder the climate, the more work the furnace has to do.

The most common breakdown of a furnace tends to be in the igniter. The igniter is the component that lights the gas when it is supposed to flow and can often be mistaken in troubleshooting for the gas valve when no flame is present. The first step in correctly diagnosing a furnace with ignition problems is to test the igniter. If the igniter is good, measure the voltage at the gas valve.

Investigating whether a furnace in Arlington that's 20 years old is worth repairing can involve many factors. On the whole, a furnace should last around 15 to 20 years. If yours has seen regular maintenance and just needs a minor part replaced, it might be worth keeping around a while longer. The thing is, if your furnace is 20 years old, what are the odds that it's running as efficiently as a newer model that complies with today's higher energy standards? Frank also wrote that even if you do repair your old furnace, the improved efficiency and performance of a new unit could save you enough on utility bills to pay for the new model in a few years.Lastly, there's safety to consider. If your 20-year-old furnace conks out, could it possibly leak carbon monoxide? Because that seems like a risk, and keeping a reliable furnace seems much safer than having one that could very well be a danger to your health and life.

Furnace failure insurance in Arlington often hinges on the provisions of your individual homeowner's insurance policy. Usual homeowner's insurance policies, for instance, do not cover appliances that break down due to "normal wear and tear" or "mechanical" issues. Still, if something covered by your policy causes the furnace to fail—for instance, a fire or a tree that falls on your house in a storm (we hope that never happens!)—you might be able to collect on a claim. Since the details between policies can vary greatly, it's wise to read your policy (from cover to cover) and to speak with your agent about any unclear points. At the very least, you should know what your policy covers before you need to make a claim. You definitely don't want to be in a position of needing to rely on your insurance only to find out it's not there for you.

The part that usually goes bad first on a furnace is the ignitor, particularly in today’s furnaces that use electronic ignition systems. An ignitor can wear out and is vulnerable to damage because it must take the heat and light up the gas that the burners blow out.