Heating Repair & Furnace Services in Seffner, FL

Heating Systems Common in Seffner Homes

Seffner homes use a variety of heating systems, each designed to keep your family comfortable during cooler months. From energy-efficient heat pumps to traditional gas and electric furnaces, understanding your system helps ensure reliable performance and lower energy bills.

• Heat Pumps

• Electric Furnaces

• Gas Furnaces

• Dual Fuel Systems

Common Heating Problems We Repair

Heat Pump Won’t Heat

Symptom: System blows air but it’s cool or barely warm, even though thermostat is set to heat mode.

Typical Causes:

• Reversing valve stuck in cooling mode
• Low refrigerant preventing heat transfer
• Outdoor coil frozen or blocked by debris
• Failed defrost control keeping coil iced
• Compressor running but not pumping properly

Our Solution: We test the reversing valve operation, measure refrigerant pressures in heating mode, and verify defrost cycle operation to pinpoint the heat loss cause.

Auxiliary Heat Runs Constantly

Symptom: Your electric bill spikes dramatically and you notice the system labeling indicates “AUX” or “emergency heat” running continuously.

Typical Causes:

• Outdoor temperatures too cold for heat pump alone
• Heat pump compressor failed, forcing backup heat
• Thermostat settings forcing auxiliary heat
• Heat pump efficiency loss requiring heat strip backup
• Defrost cycle problems keeping backup heat active

Our Solution: We determine whether auxiliary heat operation is appropriate for conditions or indicates heat pump failure requiring repair.

No Heat At All

Symptom: System won’t turn on or blows only cold air regardless of thermostat settings.

Typical Causes:

• Tripped circuit breaker to furnace or air handler
• Failed sequencer not energizing heat strips
• Blown transformer providing control voltage
• Defective thermostat not calling for heat
• Limit switch tripped from overheating

Our Solution: We trace power and control signals through your heating system, identifying the break point preventing heat delivery.

Furnace Cycles On and Off Frequently

Symptom: Heating system runs for a few minutes, shuts off, then repeats continuously without adequately warming your home.

Typical Causes:

• Dirty air filter restricting airflow and causing overheating
• Failed limit switch shutting system down prematurely
• Oversized furnace for your home’s heating load
• Thermostat location in poor spot or calibration off
• Flame sensor issues in gas furnaces

Our Solution: We monitor system operation through multiple cycles, measuring temperatures and timing to identify the short cycling cause.

Heat Pump Ices Up in Winter

Symptom: Outdoor coil becomes covered in ice and frost, reducing or eliminating heat production.

Typical Causes:

• Failed defrost control not initiating defrost cycles
• Low refrigerant reducing system pressure and temperature
• Defrost thermostat stuck closed or sensing incorrectly
• Reversing valve not switching to cooling for defrost
• Outdoor fan running during defrost cycle

Our Solution: We test the defrost cycle components and verify proper heat pump operation to restore normal ice-free operation.

Strange Smells When Heating

Symptom: Burning, musty, or electrical odors when your heating system operates.

What Different Smells Mean:

Dusty/Burning Dust Smell (First Use) Normal when heating starts after months of inactivity. Should disappear after an hour of operation.

Electrical/Plastic Burning Smell Indicates electrical problems or overheating components. Shut down immediately and call for service.

Musty/Moldy Odor Suggests mold growth in ductwork or air handler from summer humidity. Needs cleaning and possibly UV light treatment.

Gas/Rotten Egg Smell For gas furnaces, indicates potential gas leak. Evacuate immediately, shut off gas supply, and call your gas company and our emergency line.

Uneven Heating Throughout Home

Symptom: Some rooms stay cold while others overheat, or upstairs is different temperature than downstairs.

Typical Causes:

• Ductwork imbalance with incorrect damper positions
• Leaking ducts losing heated air in attic
• Closed or blocked vents in cold rooms
• Insufficient insulation in certain areas
• Single-zone system serving multi-level home

Our Solution: We assess airflow distribution, measure temperature differences, and identify whether the problem stems from ductwork, system capacity, or building issues.

Heat Pump Specific Repairs

Reversing Valve Replacement

Cost Range: $300-600 Time Required: 2-3 hours

The reversing valve switches refrigerant flow direction between heating and cooling. When it fails, your system may be stuck in one mode or switching unreliably.

Defrost Control Board Replacement

Cost Range: $200-400 Time Required: 1-2 hours

Control boards manage the defrost cycle timing and temperature. Failed boards allow ice buildup that blocks airflow and stops heat production.

Outdoor Coil De-Icing Service

Cost Range: $150-300 Time Required: 1-2 hours (plus thaw time)

When defrost cycles fail, we manually defrost the coil and repair the underlying control problem preventing automatic defrost operation.

Electric Furnace Repairs

Heating Element Replacement

Cost Range: $200-500 Time Required: 1-2 hours

Electric resistance elements burn out like light bulb filaments. Most furnaces have multiple elements; we replace failed sections to restore full heating capacity.

Sequencer Replacement

Cost Range: $150-300 Time Required: 1-2 hours

Sequencers energize heating elements in stages to prevent electrical overload. Failed sequencers prevent some or all heat strips from operating.

Limit Switch Replacement

Cost Range: $150-250 Time Required: 1 hour

Limit switches protect your furnace from dangerous overheating. They can fail in the open position, preventing the furnace from operating even when temperatures are safe.

Gas Furnace Repairs

Flame Sensor Cleaning or Replacement

Cost Range: $100-200 Time Required: 30-60 minutes

Flame sensors detect whether the burner ignited successfully. Dirty or failed sensors shut off gas flow for safety, preventing heating.

Ignitor Replacement

Cost Range: $150-300 Time Required: 1-2 hours

Modern furnaces use hot surface ignitors to light gas burners. These fragile elements crack or burn out, preventing furnace ignition.

Gas Valve Replacement

Cost Range: $300-500 Time Required: 2-3 hours

Gas valves control fuel delivery to burners. Failed valves prevent gas flow, stopping all heating function.

Heat Exchanger Inspection and Replacement

Cost Range: $800-2,000 (often triggers replacement discussion) Time Required: 4-8 hours

Cracked heat exchangers pose carbon monoxide dangers. This serious failure often costs enough that replacing the entire furnace makes more sense.

Emergency Heating Situations

When to Call Immediately

Gas Odors Never ignore natural gas or propane smells. Evacuate, call your gas company, and don’t return until professionals declare it safe.

Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarming Evacuate immediately, ventilate your home, and don’t return until the source is identified and repaired.

No Heat with Vulnerable Family Homes with infants, elderly residents, or those with health conditions need emergency service to restore heating quickly.

Water Leaking from Furnace Some condensing furnaces produce water, but leaks can damage surrounding areas and indicate serious problems.

Heating System Maintenance

Annual Pre-Winter Service

Schedule heating maintenance in October or November before cold weather arrives. This catches problems before they cause comfort emergencies.

What’s Included in Heating Maintenance

Heat Pump Heating Mode Testing We run the system in heating mode, measure temperatures, verify defrost operation, and check reversing valve function.

Electric Furnace Inspection All heating elements are tested, electrical connections tightened, limit switches verified, and sequencer operation checked.

Gas Furnace Comprehensive Service Burners are cleaned, flame sensor serviced, heat exchanger inspected, ignition system tested, and combustion analyzed for safety.

Thermostat Calibration We verify accurate temperature sensing and proper switching between heating and cooling modes.

Heating Efficiency Tips for Seffner Homes

Thermostat Settings

Set your thermostat to 68-70°F when home and 62-65°F when away or sleeping. Avoid setting extremely high temperatures trying to warm faster—it doesn’t work and wastes energy.

Utilize Ceiling Fans

Run ceiling fans clockwise (in reverse) on low speed during winter to push warm air down from ceilings.

Keep Vents Clear

Don’t block supply or return vents with furniture. Restricted airflow reduces efficiency and can cause equipment damage.

Change Filters

Winter heating requires the same filter attention as summer cooling. Replace monthly for optimal operation.

Window Treatment Strategy

Open curtains on south-facing windows during sunny days to capture solar heat, then close them at night for insulation.

When to Consider Heating System Replacement

Age Factors

Heat pumps typically last 12-15 years in Florida’s climate. Electric furnaces can reach 15-20 years. Gas furnaces often operate 15-20 years with maintenance.

Efficiency Advances

Modern heat pumps achieve 18-20 SEER cooling and 9-10 HSPF heating efficiency. Systems over 10 years old typically rate much lower, using significantly more electricity.

Repair Cost Considerations

When heating repair costs exceed 50% of replacement value, or when multiple components fail simultaneously, replacement typically makes better financial sense.

R-22 Refrigerant Systems

Heat pumps using R-22 refrigerant face the same cost issues as air conditioners. Refrigerant scarcity and expense make repairs increasingly uneconomical.

Heating Safety Concerns

Carbon Monoxide Risks

Gas furnaces can produce this deadly, odorless gas if heat exchangers crack or venting fails. Install CO detectors on every floor and test them monthly.

Electrical Fire Hazards

Electric furnaces draw substantial current. Loose connections or damaged wiring can cause fires. Strange burning smells require immediate professional attention.

Gas Leak Dangers

Natural gas and propane are both explosive. Even minor leaks pose serious risks. Utility companies add distinctive sulfur odors to help detect leaks.

Blocked Venting

Gas furnaces and some heat pumps vent combustion byproducts outdoors. Birds’ nests, debris, or improper installation can block vents, causing dangerous backdrafting.

Dual Fuel System Advantages

Optimal Efficiency Across Temperatures

Heat pumps provide efficient heating down to about 40°F. Below that, gas furnaces heat more efficiently. Dual systems automatically switch to the most economical heat source.

Backup Reliability

When one system fails, you still have heating from the other while repairs are scheduled, preventing complete comfort loss.

Lower Operating Costs

Properly configured dual fuel systems can reduce heating costs by 30-40% compared to single-fuel solutions in climates with significant temperature variations.

Why Heating Repairs Cost What They Do

Limited Service Season

Heating technicians maintain skills and inventory despite Florida’s short heating season. The expertise remains available year-round but concentrates use into a few months.

Specialized Components

Heating parts, especially for gas furnaces, require safety certifications and specialized manufacturing, increasing costs compared to simple mechanical components.

Safety Testing Requirements

Gas furnace repairs require combustion analysis and safety verification that AC repairs don’t need, adding time and equipment costs.

Service Response During Cold Snaps

Peak Demand Periods

When temperatures drop into the 30s throughout Seffner, heating service requests spike dramatically. Scheduling becomes more challenging during these brief cold periods.

Prioritizing Emergency Calls

We prioritize homes with no heat and vulnerable occupants during peak demand periods, sometimes delaying non-emergency service by 24-48 hours.

Parts Availability

Common heating components are stocked locally, but unusual parts may require overnight shipping. Cold weather increases demand on supplier inventories.

We Repair All Kinds of Heating Systems

Don’t wait for a cold night to discover your heating system isn’t working. Call (813) 547-2891 to schedule heating system service or repair in Seffner.