Call Barrie Location Call Collingwood Location

9 Common Furnace Problems in Barrie Homes (and Exact Repair Costs)

When your furnace stops working on a cold Barrie night, you are not thinking about long term plans. You just want heat back as fast as possible and you want to know what it will cost.

At Affordable Comfort our goal is Home Comfort Made Easy. Our furnace repair pricing in Barrie may be a little higher on larger repairs than some competitors because we use high quality parts, take the time to diagnose the real problem, and have licensed technicians who test the entire system for safety before we leave. The goal is to fix it once and fix it right so you are not paying for the same breakdown twice.

This guide walks through the most common furnace problems in Barrie homes, the likely causes, and the average furnace repair costs you can expect. You will also see simple rules for when it makes sense to repair vs replace your furnace.

Quick Look at Average Furnace Repair Costs in Barrie

These are typical furnace repair cost ranges for our area. Your exact quote depends on the brand, parts availability, and how easy the unit is to reach.

Furnace problem Typical repair Average cost range in Barrie
Furnace not turning on Ignition or control board repair $300 to $950
No heat or low heat Gas valve, ignitor, or flame sensor $300 to $900
Furnace blowing cold air Limit switch or airflow issues $275 to $750
Furnace short cycling Pressure switch, flame sensor, or thermostat $275 to $800
Loud banging or rattling Motor, blower wheel, or duct issues $350 to $1,150
Burning smell from furnace Overheating parts or wiring $225 to $750
High gas bills Efficiency or airflow problems $175 to $550 for tune up and basic parts
Water leaking from furnace Condensate drain or pump issues $250 to $750
Carbon monoxide concerns Heat exchanger failure $2,200 plus or full furnace replacement

Prices are for furnace repair Barrie and include parts and typical labour.

1. Furnace Will Not Turn On

Symptom

  • Thermostat is set to heat but nothing happens
  • No sound from the furnace
  • You may see an error code on the furnace or smart thermostat

Most common causes

  • Tripped breaker or safety switch
  • Failed ignition system
  • Faulty furnace control board
  • Loose low voltage wiring

Average repair cost in Barrie

Cause Typical repair cost
Reset switch or minor wiring repair $175 to $275
Replace ignition module or hot surface ignitor $300 to $600
Replace furnace control board $600 to $950

If your furnace is under ten years old, repair almost always makes sense here. When a very old furnace needs a new control board we will price both repair and replacement so you can compare.

2. Furnace Runs but There Is No Heat or Very Little Heat

Symptom

  • Blower fan runs
  • Air coming from vents is cool or only slightly warm
  • Home never reaches set temperature

Most common causes

  • Dirty or failed flame sensor
  • Weak gas valve that does not open fully
  • Failing ignitor
  • Blocked burners or poor gas pressure

Average repair cost in Barrie

Cause Typical repair cost
Clean or replace flame sensor $225 to $375
Replace ignitor $300 to $500
Gas valve replacement $550 to $900

If your gas furnace in Barrie is still fairly new and properly sized these repairs help restore full heat and normal gas use.

3. Furnace Blows Cold Air After Running for a Few Minutes

Symptom

  • Heat starts normally
  • After a short time the air turns cool
  • Furnace may shut down and restart many times

Most common causes

  • Tripped high limit switch due to overheating
  • Clogged air filter or blocked return vents
  • Weak blower motor
  • Poor ductwork design or closed registers

Average repair cost in Barrie

Cause Typical repair cost
Replace disposable filter and reset limit switch $175 to $275
Replace high limit switch $300 to $500
Blower motor repair or replacement $650 to $1,050

Often we can solve this furnace problem with better airflow and a simple part. If the blower motor and control board are both failing on an older unit we will talk about new furnace options as well.

4. Furnace Short Cycling

Symptom

  • Furnace starts then stops within a few minutes
  • This repeats many times each hour
  • Home may still feel cold or uneven

Most common causes

  • Dirty flame sensor
  • Failing pressure switch
  • Oversized furnace that heats the space too quickly
  • Thermostat problems or incorrect settings

Average repair cost in Barrie

Cause Typical repair cost
Sensor cleaning and tune up $175 to $325
Replace pressure switch $325 to $550
Thermostat replacement $275 to $500

Short cycling is hard on your furnace and wastes energy. A quick furnace service in Barrie can often catch this early before bigger parts fail.

If the real cause is an oversized furnace, we may recommend replacement when it reaches the end of its life because no repair can change the size of the unit.

5. Furnace Making Noises: Loud Banging, Rattling, or High Pitched Screeching

Symptom

  • Metal banging when the furnace starts
  • Rattling or vibration during operation
  • High pitched squeal from the blower area

Most common causes

  • Loose or cracked heat exchanger
  • Worn blower wheel or loose set screw
  • Failing inducer motor or blower motor bearings
  • Flexible ductwork that is collapsing

Average repair cost in Barrie

Cause Typical repair cost
Tighten hardware, add vibration pads, minor duct fixes $225 to $425
Replace blower wheel or inducer motor $650 to $1,150
Heat exchanger failure $2,200 plus or full furnace replacement

Noise issues should never be ignored. Some are harmless but others signal serious safety concerns. When we inspect a noisy furnace we always check for cracked heat exchangers and carbon monoxide risks.

6. Burning Smell or Electrical Smell from Furnace

Symptom

  • Hot or electrical smell when the furnace runs
  • Sometimes mild smoke or haze near vents
  • Odour may come and go

Most common causes

  • Dust burning off after long periods without use
  • Overheating blower motor or wiring
  • Melted insulation or plastic near the heat source

Average repair cost in Barrie

Cause Typical repair cost
Simple dust burn off no parts needed $175 to $225 for inspection and tune up
Replace failing motor or wiring harness $325 to $750

Always shut off the furnace and call for furnace repair if you smell burning plastic or strong electrical odours. Safety comes first.

7. Your Gas Bills Have Jumped but Your Furnace Still Works

Symptom

  • Furnace appears to run normally
  • Gas bills are much higher than usual for similar weather
  • Some rooms feel colder than others

Most common causes

  • Dirty burners and heat exchanger
  • Clogged furnace filter and restricted airflow
  • Failing blower motor that does not move enough air
  • Thermostat calibration issues

Average repair cost in Barrie

Cause Typical repair cost
Full furnace tune up and cleaning $175 to $275
Replace filter adjust gas pressure minor parts $225 to $450
Replace weak blower motor $650 to $1,050

This is where regular furnace maintenance in Barrie pays for itself. A yearly furnace tune up can prevent many of these efficiency problems and keep gas use under control.

8. Water Leaking from Furnace

This is common with high efficiency condensing furnaces that produce water during normal operation.

Symptom

  • Puddle of water around the base of the furnace
  • Rust marks on the cabinet or floor
  • Sometimes a musty smell

Most common causes

  • Clogged condensate drain line
  • Cracked condensate trap or hose
  • Failed condensate pump for units that pump water up and out

Average repair cost in Barrie

Cause Typical repair cost
Clear drain line and clean trap $225 to $325
Replace trap hoses or fittings $275 to $450
Replace condensate pump $375 to $750

Water leaks can damage flooring and electrical components so it is important to call for furnace repair in Barrie quickly when you notice moisture.

9. Carbon Monoxide Alarms or Safety Red Tags

Symptom

  • Carbon monoxide detector sounds
  • Gas company or inspector has tagged the furnace as unsafe
  • Visible cracks or rust inside the heat exchanger

Most common causes

  • Cracked heat exchanger
  • Serious venting problems
  • Chronic overheating over many years

Average repair cost in Barrie

In many cases this is not a normal repair. A cracked heat exchanger is a serious safety risk.

Option Typical cost
Heat exchanger replacement parts under warranty labour only $900 to $1,800
Heat exchanger replacement out of warranty $2,200 plus
Full high efficiency furnace replacement Often $4,500 to $8,500 depending on size and features

If your furnace is older and the heat exchanger fails we almost always recommend furnace replacement instead of repair.

Simple Repair vs Replace Furnace Calculator

Use this easy rule of thumb when you are deciding between furnace repair and new furnace installation in Barrie.

  1. Age of furnace
    • Under 10 years repair is usually the best choice unless there is a major safety failure
    • 10 to 15 years compare both options
    • Over 15 years start leaning toward replacement especially if repairs are frequent
  2. Cost of the repair
    • If the repair cost is less than 30 percent of the price of a new furnace repair often makes sense
    • If the repair is between 30 and 50 percent look at your gas bills and comfort problems and decide case by case
    • If the repair is more than 50 percent of a new furnace replacement usually offers better long term value
  3. Comfort and efficiency
    • Hot and cold spots high gas bills and noisy operation all point toward upgrading to a high efficiency furnace
    • If your home feels great and your bills are reasonable a repair can keep you going for several more years

When we visit your home we can run through this repair vs replace furnace calculator with your actual numbers so the choice is clear.

How Affordable Comfort Handles Furnace Repairs in Barrie

We want furnace repair in Barrie to feel simple and stress free.

Step 1: Friendly Local Diagnosis

  • You call or book online
  • We arrive in a clearly marked truck and protect your floors
  • We listen to the symptoms and check your furnace thermostat and venting
  • We explain the issue in plain language

Step 2: Clear Upfront Pricing

  • You receive a written furnace repair quote before work starts
  • We show you the exact part and labour cost
  • If replacement might be a better long term option we price both so you can choose

Step 3: Professional Repair

  • We complete the repair safely and neatly
  • We test the furnace through a full cycle
  • We show you any maintenance steps such as filter changes

Step 4: Future Comfort Plan

  • We can schedule a yearly furnace maintenance visit
  • We keep records of your system and past repairs so we can advise you on future furnace replacement timing

When You Need Furnace Repair Barrie, We Are Ready to Help

Whether you are dealing with no heat, furnace noise, or just a worrying smell, the fastest way to feel comfortable again is to have a licensed technician take a look.

When you call Affordable Comfort for furnace repair quote in Barrie you get:

  • Honest straightforward advice
  • Exact pricing before work begins
  • Local technicians who respect your home
  • Clear options for furnace repair vs replacement if your system is near the end of its life

If your furnace is acting up today reach out to book a no pressure furnace diagnosis in Barrie. We will find the cause explain your options and help you choose the solution that keeps Home Comfort Made Easy for you and your family.

Request a Quote Online or By Phone

Call us today at 705.503.4328 (HEAT) or request a quote online today!

Request a Quote

Why Choose Us?

Find Out What Makes Affordable Comfort One of the Top 3 Barrie HVAC Companies.

Wide Range of Services

We offer a full range of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Air Quality Services to the Barrie, Ontario area.

24-7 Emergency Service

Whether your furnace, AC unit, or boiler breaks down at 12:00am or 12:00pm, we're here to help!

LIFETIME REPAIR *

If you pay for a recommended repair, it should be guaranteed for life, that’s our opinion, and we stand behind it.

15YR WARRANTY *

You’re trusting us with one of the most important investments in your home and we take that seriously.

FLEXIBLE 0% PAYMENT OPTIONS

We offer flexible 0% payment options on many of the heating and cooling HVAC services we offer in Barrie & area.

BBB ACCREDITED

Affordable Comfort Heating & Cooling is accredited with the Better Business Bureau and holds an A+ rating.

* Some conditions apply. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions page for more info.

Heating Cooling Electrical Plumbing