Furnace and Heating Repair in Slidell, LA For the Few Nights That Really Count
A Slidell furnace can sit idle for eight months, then get asked to work hard overnight. We repair gas furnaces and electric heat on all major brands, with a written price first.
- Licensed and insured
- EPA 608 certified
- All major brands
- Written price first
Why furnaces fail here first
Most Slidell homes heat with a heat pump or electric strips. Many older homes across the Northshore still run gas furnaces, though. Those furnaces do nothing for most of the year. Then the first cold front arrives, and everyone turns the heat on the same night.
Idle months are hard on a furnace. Flame sensors build up a film, igniters crack, and humid air corrodes burners and control boards. A system that ran fine in March may not light in December.
Cold snaps here can be serious. In January 2025, a winter storm brought record snow to southeast Louisiana. It was a good reminder to have the furnace checked in the fall, before the first cold front.
Smell gas? Leave first, then call.
Do not flip switches or use your phone inside. Get everyone out, leave the door open and call your gas company from outside. Once they clear the house, we can inspect the furnace before it runs again.
Furnace problems we fix most
Furnace clicks but never lights
A cracked hot surface igniter is the usual cause. They often fail after months of sitting, and they are a quick part to replace.
Burners light, then shut off
A dirty flame sensor cannot confirm the flame, so the furnace shuts the gas off for safety. Cleaning or replacing the sensor usually fixes it.
Furnace runs a few minutes and stops
A clogged filter or blocked return makes the heat exchanger overheat and trips the limit switch. We find the airflow problem instead of just resetting the switch.
Humming or buzzing on startup
The inducer motor clears exhaust before the burners light. When its bearings wear, it gets loud and eventually keeps the furnace from starting.
Blinking light, no heat
Most furnaces flash an error code on the control board. We read the code and test the part it points to before replacing the board.
Heat strips not working
In all-electric homes, heat comes from strips in the air handler. A burned element, a failed sequencer or a breaker problem leaves the house cold.
Cracked heat exchangers and carbon monoxide
The heat exchanger keeps combustion gases away from the air you breathe. If it cracks, carbon monoxide can leak into the house, and you cannot see or smell it.
Watch for burner flames that jump when the blower starts. Yellow or orange flames instead of blue are another sign, as is soot or rust around the cabinet. Headaches or dizziness that ease when you leave the house are a reason to shut the furnace off.
Every home with a gas furnace needs working carbon monoxide alarms. We inspect the heat exchanger on every furnace visit and show you what we find.
Furnace repair or a new furnace?
| Situation | Our usual advice |
|---|---|
| Under 10 years old with a bad igniter or flame sensor | Repair |
| Under 15 years old with a failed inducer motor or control board | Usually repair |
| 15 years or older with a cracked heat exchanger | Replace |
| Repair costs more than half the price of a new furnace | Replace, especially past 15 years |
A new furnace in our area usually runs $3,000 to $7,000. An 80% AFUE model costs less up front. A 95% model burns less gas but pays back slowly in a mild climate like ours.
Other ways we keep your home comfortable
Furnace and heating questions
How much does furnace repair cost in Slidell?
Most furnace repairs run $200 to $1,200. Igniters and flame sensors sit at the low end, while inducer motors and control boards cost more. You get the price in writing before we start.
Why does my furnace smell when I first turn it on?
A dusty, burning smell for the first few minutes of the season is normal, because dust on the burners is burning off. A smell that lasts, or any smell of gas, is not normal.
Should I get a 95% efficient furnace?
It depends on how long you plan to stay. A 95% furnace uses less gas, but Slidell’s short heating season means it pays back slowly. Many homeowners here choose 80% models.
Do I need a furnace or a heat pump?
If your home has a gas line and a furnace in good shape, keeping it often makes sense. All-electric homes usually do better with a heat pump. A dual-fuel system uses both.
How often should a furnace be serviced?
Once a year, in the fall. We check the igniter, flame sensor, burners, heat exchanger, venting and safety switches before the first cold front.
Can you fix electric heat strips?
Yes. In homes without gas, heat comes from strips in the air handler. We test the elements, sequencers and breakers and replace whatever has failed.
What should I do if my carbon monoxide alarm goes off?
Get everyone outside and call 911 or your gas company. Do not go back in until the source is found. Once it is safe, we can inspect the furnace and venting.
Get the heat back on tonight
Call between 7am and 9pm, any day of the week. Tell us whether you heat with gas or electric, and what the system is doing. We will give you an arrival window and a written price.
Heating calls come from across the Northshore and South Shore, including Covington, Mandeville and Metairie homes. Need cooling instead? See AC repair in Slidell.