Furnace and heating repair in Columbia
Fixr's range for most furnace repairs is $349 to $650, averaging $485. Columbia doesn't get many brutal nights, but it gets enough: about 9.8 a year at 10°F or lower at the airport, which is when a marginal furnace gives out.
Gas and carbon monoxide come first
A gas smell means everyone leaves, and you call the gas utility once you are outside. A carbon monoxide alarm means the same exit, then 911. The CDC notes that CO has no color or odor and lists headache and dizziness as common early symptoms. Any house with a gas furnace should have CO alarms that work.
What usually goes wrong
- No heat: confirm the thermostat setting and the breaker, then look for the service switch near the furnace that resembles a light switch.
- Starting and stopping every few minutes: a dirty flame sensor, a plugged filter or a furnace too big for the house are the common causes.
- A burnt smell on the first cold day of fall is dust burning off. If it is still there after a few cycles, call.
- Heat pump houses: when the strips fail to come on during a cold snap, the indoor temperature slides. Heat pumps in Columbia.
Furnace and AC as one system
In the usual setup the cooling coil rides on top of the furnace and both share its blower. When both are aging, pricing them as a pair is worth the extra phone call. Across our ZIPs, 47% of occupied homes heat with utility gas and 43% with electricity (Census ACS 2020-2024).
What Boone County homeowners ask us
What does furnace repair cost?
Fixr lists $349 to $650 for most repairs, averaging $485. Ignitors and flame sensors sit at the bottom; a cracked heat exchanger usually leads to a replacement discussion.
Why does my furnace keep cycling on and off?
A dirty flame sensor, a clogged filter, overheating or a furnace oversized for the house are the usual reasons. Get it checked, since overheating can become a safety problem.