Residential Furnace Repair
Furnace Repair in Southeast Michigan
When the heat goes out in a Michigan winter, you need someone who can find the problem and fix it — not sell you a new furnace.
Quick answer
If your furnace has stopped putting out heat, call 248-714-6563. We service every major furnace brand, and no-heat calls go to the front of the queue during business hours. A technician will diagnose the problem, explain what is wrong and what it costs, and get your approval before any work starts. Most repairs are finished in a single visit.
Common furnace problems we fix
Most furnace calls in Southeast Michigan come down to a short list of problems. Here is what we see most.
No heat at all
The furnace runs but blows cold, or it will not start at all. Usually ignition, a failed flame sensor, a tripped limit switch, or a thermostat that has lost its signal.
Blowing cold air
The burners light, then cut out before the house warms up. Frequently a dirty flame sensor or a safety limit switch doing its job.
Short cycling
The furnace turns on and off every few minutes and never finishes a heating cycle. Often a clogged filter, a dirty flame sensor, or a furnace that is oversized for the house.
Loud or unfamiliar noises
Banging on start-up, grinding, or a high squeal. Each one points somewhere different — delayed ignition, a worn blower bearing, a failing belt.
Running constantly
It never satisfies the thermostat. Restricted airflow, a failing sensor, or duct losses letting the heat out before it reaches your rooms.
Rising gas bills
Same comfort, higher bill. Usually dirty components or a system working twice as hard as it should to do the same job.
Tripping the breaker
That is a safety response to an electrical fault. Stop resetting it and have it looked at.
A yellow burner flame
A healthy flame is steady and blue. Yellow can mean incomplete combustion. Shut the system off and call — this one is a safety issue, not a comfort issue.
What happens when you call
- 1
You tell us what the furnace is doing. If you have no heat, say so — those calls go first.
- 2
A technician diagnoses the actual fault, not the symptom.
- 3
You get the repair and the price explained before anything comes apart. Nothing starts without your say-so.
- 4
Most repairs are finished in the same visit. If a part has to be ordered, you will know that day.
When a furnace problem is a safety problem
Some furnace symptoms are comfort problems. A few are not. Shut the system off and call us if you notice a yellow or flickering burner flame instead of a steady blue one, a burning or acrid smell that does not clear, or soot and scorching around the furnace cabinet.
If your carbon monoxide alarm is sounding, leave the house first and call from outside.
Repair or replace?
Not every furnace is worth repairing. The rough rule: under ten years old, repair it. Past fifteen to twenty years, with a repair bill approaching a third of the cost of replacement, a new system usually wins. We will tell you which side of that line you are on — and we will say repair it when repair is the right answer.
Every major furnace brand
We service every major furnace brand. The equipment in your basement does not need to match a badge on our van.
Where we repair furnaces
Kern Mechanical repairs furnaces across Oakland, Livingston, Genesee, Macomb, Wayne and Washtenaw counties — including Milford, Highland, Commerce Township, White Lake, Wixom, South Lyon, Brighton, Howell, Novi, Walled Lake, Waterford, Northville, Plymouth, Ann Arbor and Fenton.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can you get someone out for a furnace that is not working?
No-heat calls go to the front of the queue. Call 248-714-6563 during business hours — Monday through Saturday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM — and we will get a technician to you as quickly as the schedule allows.
How much does furnace repair cost?
It depends on the fault. A flame sensor or a thermostat sits at the low end. A blower motor, control board or heat exchanger is considerably more. You will have the price before the work starts, and the quote is free.
My furnace is blowing cold air. What is wrong?
Usually the burners are lighting and then shutting down — commonly a dirty flame sensor, or a safety limit switch doing its job. Check your filter first. If a fresh filter does not fix it, call us.
Should I repair my furnace or replace it?
Under ten years old, repair is almost always the right answer. Between fifteen and twenty, weigh the repair against replacement — if the repair is approaching a third of the cost of a new system, replacement usually wins.
Do you work on all furnace brands?
Yes. We service every major furnace brand.
What should I check before calling for furnace repair?
Three things. Is the thermostat set to heat and above room temperature? Is the filter clean? Are the furnace switch and the breaker on? Those three account for a fair number of calls, and checking them costs you nothing.
Is a yellow furnace flame dangerous?
A healthy burner flame is steady and blue. Yellow or flickering can mean incomplete combustion, which can produce carbon monoxide. Shut the system off and call. If your carbon monoxide alarm is sounding, leave the house and call from outside.
Do you offer free quotes?
Quotes are always free. We explain the repair and the cost before we start, and nothing happens without your approval.
Furnace repair by town
We repair furnaces across Southeast Michigan. These are the towns we work in most.
Emergency service available
Heat out? Cooling down? Call us now.
Whether it is a planned replacement or an emergency HVAC repair, Kern Mechanical is available to handle all of your heating, cooling, and ventilation needs.