Safety comes first in furnace and heating repair in Memphis, TN. Gas, electricity and combustion air all meet in a furnace, and the faults that matter most are cracked heat exchangers, limit switch trips, blower problems, control board faults, and igniter and flame sensor failures. Describe what the system is doing through Call Now and an independent HVAC contractor serving 59 ZIP codes around Memphis will answer.
Safety first: gas smell and carbon monoxide
Smelling gas means getting out of the building and calling the gas utility or emergency services from outside. Put carbon monoxide detectors on every level and near bedrooms, and change their batteries on schedule. A cracked heat exchanger can let a furnace release carbon monoxide, and even a suspicion of that needs immediate service.
Common furnace faults
| Symptom | Likely cause | What is checked |
|---|---|---|
| Blower runs constantly | Fan setting, relay or board issue | Thermostat fan, control board |
| Noisy operation | Blower motor, wheel or loose panels | Motor, bearings and wheel balance |
| No heat, clicking at startup | Failed igniter or flame sensor | Igniter resistance, sensor cleanliness, gas valve |
| Furnace turns off after a short time | Dirty flame sensor, overheating limit, blocked filter | Airflow, sensor and limit switch |
| No power to the furnace | Tripped breaker, blown fuse, door switch | Electrical supply and safety switches |
Repair or replace a furnace
With maintenance, a furnace lasts roughly 15 to 20 years. On an older furnace, a cracked heat exchanger usually means replacement. When deciding, compare efficiency rating, fuel type and the repairs you can expect.
Seasonal furnace maintenance
- Test the carbon monoxide detectors
- Check the condensate drain on high-efficiency furnaces
- Replace the filter on schedule
- Clean the flame sensor and check the igniter
- Have a technician inspect the burners, heat exchanger and flue
Questions to ask before approving a repair
- Will you give me the findings and the scope in writing before work starts?
- What are my options: repair now, repair and monitor, or replace?
- What does the repair warranty cover and for how long?
- How old is the system and which refrigerant does it use?
- What failed, how did you confirm it and can you show me the part or the reading?
How a furnace and heating repair visit works, step by step
A diagnostic visit should follow a repeatable order so the technician finds the cause, not just the symptom. Knowing the order helps you tell a thorough visit from a part swap.
- Interview: what you noticed, when it started, how the system sounds and what you have already tried.
- Visual check: thermostat settings, filter, supply and return registers, the air handler, the condensate line and the outdoor unit.
- Electrical tests: breaker and disconnect, capacitor microfarad rating, contactor contacts, motor amperage and control voltage.
- Airflow and temperature: the temperature drop across the evaporator coil and, where needed, static pressure in the ductwork.
- Refrigerant checks: pressures, superheat and subcooling, and a leak search if the charge is low.
- A written finding: the cause, the repair options and what each one would fix, before any part is replaced.
Safety and rules to know
Three hazards share one machine in an air conditioner: high-voltage electricity, pressurized refrigerant and moving parts. Opening electrical panels, bridging contactors and adding refrigerant are not jobs for homeowners, and capacitors can keep a charge after the power is off.
In the United States, anyone who buys or handles refrigerant must be certified under EPA Section 608, and refrigerant must be recovered and not vented. Ask the technician for their certification and check the contractor's licence with Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (HVAC classifications).
Prepare your Memphis home before the technician arrives
- Check that the outdoor disconnect and the breaker are on, but do not open electrical panels
- Write down the sounds, smells, leaks or ice you have noticed, and when
- Set the thermostat to cool and note what it shows and what the house temperature is
- Clear weeds, leaves and debris from around the outdoor unit
- Replace or check the filter, and clear furniture from the return grille and the air handler
What shapes the written scope
Two AC calls that sound alike can be very different jobs. The written scope should say what the technician found and which of these factors applied.
Have the provider show the diagnostic and the repair as separate items, and list any parts, labor or follow-up that are left out.
- Whether the ductwork, return air or thermostat contributes to the problem
- The age, tonnage and refrigerant type of the system
- Access to the air handler in the attic or closet and to the outdoor unit
- Whether the fault is an electrical part, an airflow problem, a refrigerant leak or a drainage problem
- Warranty status of the parts and whether the equipment is registered with the manufacturer
Mistakes that make AC problems worse
- Running a frozen system. Ice means airflow or refrigerant is wrong, and running it can damage the compressor.
- Putting off a small repair. A weak capacitor can take out a compressor if left alone.
- Adding refrigerant without finding the leak. The charge will drop again and the leak may grow.
- Ignoring a dirty filter. It is the most common cause of poor airflow and frozen coils.
- Setting the thermostat much lower to cool faster. An AC cools at a steady rate, so it only runs longer.
What makes furnace and heating repair different in Memphis
Hot, humid Mid-South summers with heat indexes often above 100 degrees; winters can bring ice storms. Humidity drives condensate drain clogs, sweating ducts, and mold in air handlers.
Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) is the local utility. Older homes in Midtown, Cooper-Young, Binghampton, and Whitehaven; newer homes in Cordova, Collierville, Germantown, and Bartlett. The diagnosis and the equipment recommendation for your address can both be shaped by these local conditions, so ask the technician how.
Furnace and heating repair across Memphis and nearby cities
59 ZIP codes in Memphis, Tennessee fall within the area of Air Conditioning Repair Memphis: 37501, 37544, 38101, 38103, 38104, 38105, 38106, 38107, 38108, 38109. Requests may also go to providers who serve Ellendale, Germantown, Cordova and Collierville. Coverage depends on the address, so state your ZIP code on the call.
An independent HVAC contractor is one call away: use Call Now at the top of any page and describe the symptoms and the age of the system. The contractor confirms your address, then examines the system in person to diagnose it.
Related help in Memphis
If this is not quite your situation, these pages cover the neighboring questions: Summer HVAC Checklist for Memphis; AC Repair or Replace? A Decision Guide for Memphis; Frozen AC Coil: Why It Happens and What to Do; AC Maintenance and Tune-Up. The service area list shows every nearby city and ZIP code covered.
Furnace and Heating Repair in Memphis: common questions
Why is my furnace not heating?
A dirty flame sensor, a failed igniter, a tripped limit or a thermostat problem are the usual causes, and a technician finds out which one it is.
Is it safe to use a furnace that smells?
Immediate attention is needed for a smell of gas or burning. Turn the system off and call for service, and if it is gas, leave the building and call the gas utility.
Can I run the furnace without a filter?
No, because a system running without a filter takes in dust, which can damage it.
What is a heat exchanger?
The metal part that separates combustion gases from the air that heats your home. A crack can be dangerous.
Do heat pumps and furnaces use the same ducts?
Frequently, and a technician can test airflow and static pressure.
How often should I replace the furnace filter?
Anywhere from one to three months apart, depending on which filter you use and the home.