Expert Furnace Repair & Installation | Reliable Winter Heating Solutions

When winter arrives in Georgia, your furnace becomes essential to your home's comfort and safety. At Henson Mechanical, we provide complete furnace repair and installation services for homes throughout Loganville, Snellville, Atlanta, and Gwinnett County. Whether you need emergency furnace repair or are planning to upgrade to a new high-efficiency system, our EPA-certified technicians have the expertise to keep your home warm.

Signs Your Furnace Needs Repair:

1. Furnace Won't Start: Check your thermostat (low batteries?), circuit breaker, and gas supply. If those are fine, the ignitor or control board may have failed.
2. Weak Heat or No Heat: Low gas pressure, dirty filters, broken heat exchanger, or thermostat issues cause insufficient heat. Professional diagnosis identifies the cause.
3. Strange Noises: Loud banging, rattling, or squealing indicates loose parts, failing blower motor, or cracked heat exchanger. Don't ignore these sounds.
4. Frequent Cycling: If your furnace turns on and off excessively (more than 3-4 times per hour), it's overworking. Usually caused by clogged filters, thermostat issues, or undersized system.
5. Yellow Pilot Light: Modern furnaces use electronic ignition, but if yours has a pilot light, it should be bright blue. Yellow indicates incomplete combustion and potential carbon monoxide (CO) risk. Call immediately.
6. Increased Energy Bills: Gradual heating cost increases signal declining efficiency. A professional tune-up or replacement may be needed.
7. Age (15+ years): Furnaces older than 15 years are near end-of-life and experience frequent breakdowns. Replacement is often more economical than continued repairs.

Our Furnace Repair Process:

1. Emergency Response: We respond quickly to furnace outages, especially in cold weather when heating is critical.
2. Full Diagnosis: We perform complete furnace inspection including ignitor test, burner function, heat exchanger inspection, electrical connections, and safety controls.
3. Clear Explanation: We explain what's wrong, show you the problem (when possible), and discuss repair options.
4. Expert Repair: Using quality parts and manufacturer-approved techniques, we repair or replace the failed component.
5. System Testing: We run your furnace through complete operation cycles, checking heat output, airflow, temperature rise, and safety controls.
6. Maintenance Recommendations: We recommend filter replacement schedule and discuss preventive maintenance benefits.

When to Repair vs. Replace:

Repair if:

• Your furnace is less than 10 years old
• Single component failure (ignitor, thermostat, capacitor)
• Repair cost is less than 50% of new system cost
• System is running efficiently otherwise

Replace if:

• Your furnace is 15+ years old
• Multiple repairs in past 2 years
• Repair cost exceeds 50% of new system
• System efficiency has declined noticeably
• Heat exchanger is cracked (dangerous; replacement only)

Furnace Installation & Replacement:

When it's time for a new furnace, we guide you through the process:

1. Home Assessment: We evaluate your home's heating needs (square footage, insulation, ductwork, climate zone)
2. System Sizing: We calculate the correct furnace capacity (measured in BTU) to heat your home efficiently
3. Efficiency Options: We present AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) ratings:
   • Standard Efficiency (80% AFUE): Budget option; converts 80 cents of fuel energy to heat, wastes 20 cents up the chimney
   • High Efficiency (90-96% AFUE): Premium systems; more fuel converts to usable heat; require upgraded venting
4. Brand Selection: We work with top manufacturers: Carrier, Trane, Lennox, York, Goodman, Rheem
5. Installation: Professional installation includes:
   • Removal of old furnace
   • Proper venting installation (especially important for high-efficiency models)
   • Correct ductwork connections
   • Gas line and electrical connections
   • Thermostat integration
   • Full system testing and safety verification
6. Warranty Registration: We register your new furnace with the manufacturer to activate full coverage

Why High-Efficiency Furnaces Pay for Themselves:

A 96% AFUE furnace uses 15-20% less fuel than an 80% AFUE system. Over 15 years, that savings can total $2,000-$4,000, easily recouping the higher upfront cost. Plus, you gain:

• More consistent home temperature
• Improved indoor air quality (high-efficiency models often include better air filtration)
• Quieter operation
• Longer equipment life (20+ years vs. 15 years)
• Federal tax credits may apply (up to $600 depending on system efficiency)

Why Gas Furnaces Require Professional Service:

Gas furnaces involve combustion, which creates safety considerations. Key safety issues include:

• Carbon Monoxide Risk: If the heat exchanger cracks, CO can leak into your home—potentially fatal. Only licensed technicians should service furnaces.
• Gas Line Safety: Improper gas connections create leak and explosion risk
• Proper Venting: High-efficiency furnaces have unique venting requirements; improper installation can cause backdrafting
• Testing Equipment: Professional diagnostic tools are needed to verify safe operation

Never attempt DIY furnace repairs beyond simple filter changes.

Preventive Furnace Maintenance:

Annual fall furnace tune-ups catch problems early:

• Clean burner assembly
• Check gas pressure
• Test ignition system
• Inspect heat exchanger
• Check electrical connections
• Test safety controls
• Verify CO detector (if equipped)
• Replace air filter
• Lubricate moving parts
• Full system test

A $150 tune-up prevents $1,000+ emergency repairs when your furnace fails on the coldest night.