24/7 furnace repair in St. Paul, MN

If you smell gas or your CO alarm sounds

Some furnace problems are emergencies that come before any repair. If you smell gas, leave the house right away on foot. Do not flip light switches, use a phone or start a car near the leak. Once you are away from the house, call 911 and Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-2999.

Do not shut off the gas meter or try to fix a leak yourself. If another company supplies your gas, call the number on your gas bill. Call us after the utility or fire department says the house is safe.

If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, get everyone outside to fresh air, then call 911. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's carbon monoxide information lists headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, sleepiness and confusion as symptoms. Do not run the furnace again until a technician has inspected it.

Watch for warning signs between alarms as well. The Minnesota Department of Health's CO safety page lists soot streaks and an orange or yellow flame as signs of a problem. If you see either one, call us for an inspection.

What to check before you call

A few simple checks can solve a no-heat problem or help our technician find the cause faster. Make sure the thermostat is set to HEAT and set above the room temperature. Check that the furnace service switch and circuit breaker are on.

Look at the air filter next. A clogged filter restricts airflow, and the furnace may shut off to protect itself. ENERGY STAR's maintenance checklist recommends inspecting your filter once a month and replacing it as needed.

High-efficiency furnaces vent through plastic pipes on an outside wall. After a heavy snow, clear snow and ice from the vent pipes, because a blocked pipe can stop the furnace. Do not open the burner compartment, bypass safety switches or keep relighting a furnace that shuts off.

How our repairs work

Our certified, background-checked and drug-tested technicians look for the cause of the problem, not only the symptom. We explain what we found in plain terms and give you the price before we start. Then we make the repair and confirm the furnace heats safely.

Common furnace repairs include failed igniters, dirty flame sensors, worn blower motors, faulty pressure switches and thermostat problems. If we find a cracked heat exchanger or another safety hazard, we show you what we found and explain your options.

What common symptoms can mean

Short cycling means the furnace turns on and off every few minutes. It can come from a dirty filter, a faulty flame sensor or an oversized furnace. Cold or lukewarm air can mean the burners are not lighting. It can also mean the thermostat fan is set to ON instead of AUTO.

A bang when the furnace starts can point to delayed ignition, which needs prompt service. Squealing often comes from a worn blower motor or belt. Rattling can mean a loose panel or a part working loose inside the cabinet.

When you call, describe what the furnace is doing and when it happens. Also tell us about any blinking lights on the control board. That information helps our technician arrive ready to find the cause.

Day or night, all winter

A furnace that quits on a below-zero night cannot wait until Monday. Our technicians are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across the St. Paul area.

Krinkie's Club maintenance plan members receive a reduced trip charge, up to a 20% discount on most repairs and priority service.

Repair or replace?

Most furnace problems can be repaired. If your furnace is more than 15 years old and needs a major part, compare the cost of repair with replacement. We give you both options honestly.

Our furnace replacement and installation page explains how we size and install a new system. Either way, the choice is yours, and we will not pressure you.

Call us if your furnace

• Blows cold or lukewarm air
• Turns on and off frequently
• Makes banging, squealing or rattling noises
• Won’t ignite or keeps shutting off
• Is pushing your heating bill up for no reason

Common questions

Sources

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — Carbon Monoxide Information Center
• Minnesota Department of Health — Carbon monoxide poisoning in your home
• ENERGY STAR — Maintenance checklist