McDaniel Service, Inc Blog: Posts Tagged ‘furnace repair’

Top Furnace Problems We See Every Fall (and How to Avoid Them)

Wednesday, October 15th, 2025

As cooler weather rolls into Lorton, VA, many homeowners switch on their furnace for the first time in months — only to discover something’s not quite right. From strange noises to weak airflow or even a furnace that won’t turn on at all, fall is when many common heating problems start to surface.

At McDaniel Service, Inc., we’ve been serving the Lorton community since 2010, and every fall we see the same furnace issues pop up — many of which could have been prevented with a little early maintenance.

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Don’t Wait for the Cold: Signs Your Furnace Needs Service Before Winter Hits Lorton

Wednesday, October 15th, 2025

When the first cold snap rolls through Lorton, VA, the last thing you want is to find out your furnace isn’t working properly. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t realize there’s a problem until it’s too late — and by then, you could be facing a chilly home and an unexpected repair bill.

At McDaniel Service, Inc., we’ve been helping Northern Virginia homeowners stay warm and worry-free since 2010. With over a decade of experience, we know exactly what to look for when a furnace is trying to tell you it needs attention.

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5 Silent Signs Your Furnace Needs Repair

Monday, February 12th, 2024
Residential furnace unit with exposed pipes, ideal for furnace maintenance inspection.

What are subtle signs your furnace needs maintenance?

Your furnace may need maintenance if you notice strange odors, uneven heating, cold spots, incorrect thermostat readings, or excess dust in your home. These subtle issues often signal reduced efficiency or wear and can lead to bigger problems without timely professional service.

We often tell our customers that a furnace will make a loud or uncomfortable noise if it’s malfunctioning, but that’s not necessarily the case every time. Just like other mechanical systems we depend on, problems can take many forms and originate in many different components, which is an important thing to note when you’re trying to troubleshoot them.

Firstly, furnace repair in Arlington, VA needs to be professionally done. This will be the main way you can avoid extensive issues that become frequent or obnoxious. But before you have the chance to work with a licensed professional, you’ll want to know some of these signs that your quiet furnace is actually malfunctioning.

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How Bad Is a Broken Heat Exchanger?

Monday, February 20th, 2023

There’s one component in your furnace that just doesn’t mess around–that’s the heat exchanger. It might sound like a simple component like the ignition or the flame sensor, but the heat exchanger is arguably one of the most important components of your heating unit. It basically separates a dangerous furnace from a safe one, and it’s used every single time your furnace turns on.

In order for your furnace to heat your home, it needs to exchange heat between two places. At first, your furnace burns gas and heats up the air around it, but that air is terribly contaminated. Carbon monoxide, smoke, gas, and soot are floating around inside your furnace, so the heat needs to be transferred into fresh air that you can breathe safely. That’s where the heat exchanger comes in.

So, let’s talk about how important a furnace repair in Alexandria, VA might be if it includes your heat exchanger.

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6 Signs Your Furnace Needs Expert Help

Monday, November 14th, 2022

The middle of winter is the last time when you want to encounter a furnace breakdown. In all honesty, there is never a good time for a system breakdown but the middle of a cold spell is probably the worst timing possible. It’s a good thing that you can prevent this from happening! Annual servicing prevents unexpected furnace breakdowns and helps it operate at peak efficiency.

Regular furnace maintenance is essential for keeping your hvac system running smoothly and ensuring optimal performance. A good cleaning of your clean furnace, including the blower compartment, fan blades, and clean vents, is crucial for both safety and efficiency. Cleaning or replacing dirty filters, an old filter, or a clogged air filter helps maintain your heating system’s efficiency and should be cleaned regularly. Homeowners should replace or clean air filters every 1-3 months. Remember to check and clean air filters of various filter types, such as pleated or basic filters, as part of routine maintenance. Don’t forget to clean condensate lines to prevent blockages, and use a vacuum hose to remove dust from the blower compartment and fan blades. A small brush can also be used to carefully clean delicate or hard-to-reach furnace components, such as blower blades or condensate lines. Wipe vent covers with a damp cloth to keep them free of debris. Ensure proper venting of exhaust gases to avoid safety hazards. Always check electrical connections and turn off electrical power or the power switch before performing any maintenance. Homeowners should handle furnace doors carefully during maintenance to prevent damage and ensure proper sealing.  Store other chemicals away from the furnace area to prevent hazards. When inspecting the combustion chamber and burner flames, also check the burner assembly for any issues. Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors and co detectors, especially if you have a natural gas furnace, to ensure safety. Newer furnaces often have electronic igniters, while older furnaces or older units may have pilot lights, each requiring different maintenance steps. Heat pumps and air conditioning are also important components of your overall hvac system and should be maintained for year-round comfort. Maintaining your air conditioning system is just as important, ensuring reliable cooling during the hot summer months and preventing unexpected breakdowns. Our comprehensive cooling service ensures your system operates reliably during Alexandria’s hot, humid summers, keeping your home or business comfortable.

Here’s the thing. If you need a furnace repair in Springfield, VA, the sooner you get the problem addressed, the less likely it is that your system will break down when you need it the most. In addition to heating repair, we also offer air conditioning repair and ac repair services for both heating and cooling emergencies. Our expert technicians can diagnose and fix heating or cooling issues quickly and efficiently. McDaniel Service, Inc. proudly serves Alexandria, Alexandria VA, and Northern Virginia, bringing local expertise to every job. We serve both residential and commercial customers, including businesses and property managers, with tailored heating and cooling solutions. Our services in Alexandria are designed to meet the needs of homeowners and businesses alike, ensuring comfort and safety throughout the year. McDaniel Service Inc offers prompt and reliable heating and air conditioning services in Alexandria, VA, and provides full-service heating and cooling support to homes and businesses in Alexandria, VA, demonstrating the breadth of services available in the area.

So we want to equip you with the knowledge you need to ensure you get those repairs done promptly. Our licensed technicians provide priority assistance for urgent heating and cooling needs, ensuring your comfort and safety year-round. We are committed to our customers’ satisfaction and strive to build lasting relationships through quality service and support.

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Why a Cracked Heat Exchanger Is a Big Problem

Monday, January 24th, 2022

Let’s be clear, there isn’t a heating system repair that you should ever ignore. However, a loose bolt isn’t usually going to carry the same level of severity as a cracked heat exchanger. No heating system repair should be ignored but some are worth a faster response.

Your heat exchanger plays a vital role in your gas furnace. This is the part of the system that makes heat creation both possible and safe. So it isn’t hard to see why a problem with your heat exchanger is a pretty big deal. If this is your first time hearing about this issue though, you may not know just how big a deal it is.

Let’s discuss why a cracked heat exchanger is a problem for your comfort and your safety and what you can do to address it.

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