Heating Services | Amp Electric Heating & Air

🔥 Top 10 Furnace Failures —

And How Maintenance Saves You Money

Your furnace works hard to keep your home safe and warm during harsh Michigan winters.  But when key parts fail, you’re left with cold rooms, high bills, or worse—total system shutdown.  At Amp Electric Heating & Air, we provide expert furnace maintenance in Muskegon, Kent, and Ottawa counties to keep your system running safely and efficiently all season long.

1. Dirty Flame Sensor – “Furnace Keeps Shutting Off”

The flame sensor detects whether the burner has ignited.  If it’s coated in soot or oxidation, it won’t register the flame—and the furnace will shut off within seconds for safety.  This leads to short cycling, no heat, and frustrated homeowners.

Our heating service in West Michigan includes flame sensor cleaning to ensure your furnace stays on when it should, especially during sub-zero days in January.

2. Cracked Heat Exchanger – “Carbon Monoxide Risk”

The heat exchanger safely separates combustion gases from indoor air.  Over time, metal fatigue from heating and cooling can cause it to crack.  This can leak dangerous gases like carbon monoxide into your home.

During our furnace inspections in Kent County and Ottawa County, we check for cracks and perform CO safety checks to protect your family.  This is one of the most serious heating issues—and one you don’t want to ignore.

3. Faulty Ignitor – “Furnace Won’t Light”

Most modern furnaces use a hot surface ignitor instead of a standing pilot light.  These ignitors are fragile and can fail from age or power surges.  When this happens, the burners won’t light and your system won’t produce heat.

As part of our furnace maintenance in Muskegon, we test ignitor resistance and replace failing parts before they leave you without heat in the middle of winter.

4. Blower Motor Issues – “Low Airflow or No Heat from Vents”

The blower motor pushes warm air throughout your home.  If it’s dirty, unbalanced, or overheating, it may shut down or fail to start.  You’ll notice weak airflow or a furnace that runs but doesn’t heat the home.

Our HVAC tune-ups in Grand Haven and Spring Lake include motor lubrication, capacitor testing, and airflow checks to ensure consistent warmth and airflow in every room.

5. Clogged Air Filter – “Furnace Overheating or Shutting Off”

A dirty filter chokes your system, restricting airflow and causing the furnace to overheat. This triggers a safety shutdown to protect the heat exchanger.  You might notice shorter cycles, cool air, or repeated resets.

We always check filters during our routine heating maintenance visits, and we can upgrade you to a high-efficiency filter system to reduce dust and extend equipment life.

6. Faulty Limit Switch – “Furnace Keeps Turning Off”

The high-limit switch monitors furnace temperature.  If the unit runs too hot—often due to restricted airflow or a dirty blower—it shuts the burners off.  A bad limit switch can also trip falsely and shut off heat.

During your annual furnace tune-up in West Michigan, we test limit switches, clean blowers, and verify safe operating temperatures to prevent nuisance shutdowns.

7. Inducer Motor Failure – “Furnace Won’t Start or No Draft”

The inducer motor clears exhaust gases before the furnace lights.  If it fails or is blocked, the pressure switch won’t close, and the system won’t ignite.  You might hear clicking or humming, but the burners never light.

We test inducer amp draws, inspect venting, and check safeties during every furnace inspection in Kent County and Norton Shores, ensuring your home stays warm and your system stays safe.

8. Thermostat Problems – “Inconsistent Temps or No Heat”

A malfunctioning thermostat can misread room temperature, lose power, or fail to signal your furnace to turn on.  This leads to temperature swings, short cycling, or a completely unresponsive system.

Our heating service in Holland, Fruitport, and beyond includes checking thermostat calibration, battery replacement, and control wiring—whether you have a basic model or smart thermostat like Honeywell or Ecobee.

9. Clogged Condensate Trap or Drain – “Furnace Won’t Run”

High-efficiency furnaces produce condensation during operation.  If the condensate line or trap clogs, the unit may shut down to prevent water damage or backdrafting.

As part of our furnace maintenance in Grand Haven and Zeeland, we flush condensate drains, clear traps, and prevent water-related shutdowns—especially common in freezing temperatures.

10. Gas Valve or Pressure Switch Problems – “No Flame or Short Cycling”

The gas valve controls fuel flow to your burners, and the pressure switch confirms the system has a safe draft before ignition.  If either part fails, the furnace may not light or may turn off shortly after starting.

We test pressure switches, gas pressures, and burner ignition during comprehensive heating tune-ups in Muskegon County to ensure your system runs reliably and safely.

✅ Schedule Furnace Maintenance with West Michigan’s Trusted Heating Experts

Don’t wait until your furnace fails during a cold snap.  With Amp Electric Heating & Air, you get reliable furnace maintenance, safety inspections, and emergency heating repair in Muskegon, Kent, and Ottawa counties.  Our licensed technicians are here to keep your home warm, efficient, and safe—all winter long.

📅 Call today to schedule your heating system tune-up—and stay warm with a company that’s Always Making Progress.

Proud to Be a Bryant® Dealer

As an authorized Bryant® dealer,  Amp Electric Heating & Air is proud to offer one of the most trusted names in heating and cooling.  Bryant products are known for their reliability, efficiency, and performance—backed by over a century of innovation.  Whether you need a furnace, air conditioner, or complete home comfort system, we install Bryant equipment with expert care and stand by it with dependable service and support.