Common problems and how an HVAC technician fixes them
| The problem | Usual cause | What the technician does |
|---|---|---|
| No heat, or the furnace won't light | Dirty flame sensor, failed igniter, clogged filter or a tripped safety switch | Cleans or replaces the part and checks the safety controls |
| AC runs but blows warm air | Failed capacitor, low refrigerant or a dirty outdoor coil | Tests the electrical parts, checks refrigerant and cleans the coil |
| System turns on and off every few minutes | Clogged filter, a thermostat fault or equipment that's the wrong size | Checks airflow and controls, then recommends a fix |
| Water around the indoor unit | Clogged condensate drain or a failed condensate pump | Clears the drain line and tests the pump |
| Energy bills climbing | Dirty coils, leaky ducts or aging equipment | Tune up, duct check, or a replacement quote |
Heating or cooling problem right now?
Tell us what's happening and where you are. Calls are answered 24/7, and it's free to call.
What heating or cooling problem do you need fixed?
AC and heat pump repair
Warm air, ice on the lines, water leaking inside, or an outdoor unit that hums but won't run.
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Furnace repair
No heat, cold air from the vents, short cycling or a furnace that won't light.
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Replacement cost guide
What a new furnace, AC or full system typically costs in Indianapolis, with sources.
Get help with this →Heating and cooling jobs we take calls for
- Furnace repair and replacement: gas and electric furnaces, igniters, flame sensors, blower motors and controls
- Air conditioner repair and replacement: capacitors, contactors, fan motors, refrigerant leaks and compressors
- Heat pump repair and installation: heating and cooling modes, defrost problems and backup heat
- Tune ups: AC checks in spring and furnace checks in fall
- Thermostats, airflow and duct problems that leave some rooms too hot or too cold
- Commercial heating and cooling for offices, shops, restaurants and rental properties
Repair or replace your furnace or AC?
Repair usually makes sense when the system is younger than about 10 years and the fix is a single part. Replacement is worth pricing when a furnace is past 15 to 20 years, an AC or heat pump is past 10 to 15 years, the repair would cost a large share of a new unit, or an older AC still uses R22 refrigerant, which is no longer made. A licensed technician can tell you which parts have failed and quote both options.
How much does HVAC work cost in Indianapolis?
Published Indianapolis averages put a new furnace at about $4,626 and a new central AC at about $5,157, with a full system replacement averaging about $7,178. Common repairs such as a capacitor or igniter usually cost a few hundred dollars. See the full figures and sources in our furnace and AC replacement cost guide.
Who licenses HVAC contractors in Indianapolis?
Indiana has no statewide license for heating and cooling contractors, so licensing is set locally. The City of Indianapolis licenses heating and cooling contractors through its Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, and other towns set their own rules. Before work starts, ask the contractor for their license and proof of insurance, and whether the job needs a permit. Furnace, AC and heat pump replacements usually do.
Indianapolis weather is hard on heating and cooling systems
Central Indiana summers are hot and humid, and winters bring hard freezes and the odd subzero cold snap, so the same system works hard in both seasons. Search demand for furnace repair in Indianapolis peaks in November, and AC repair peaks in late summer and fall. Booking an AC tune up in spring and a furnace check in fall avoids most peak season breakdowns.
If you smell gas or your carbon monoxide alarm sounds
Don't try to fix it yourself. Leave the building, don't switch lights or appliances on or off, and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. Citizens Energy Group supplies natural gas in Indianapolis; suburbs may have a different gas utility. Once the utility says it's safe, call us to be connected with a licensed technician for the repair.
Where can I get heating and cooling repair near me?
We take heating and cooling repair calls from across Indianapolis and Marion County and from these central Indiana towns. Call 317-314-8486 with your ZIP code and we'll connect you with a licensed technician who works near you.
- Indianapolis, IN
- Carmel, IN
- Fishers, IN
- Westfield, IN
- Noblesville, IN
- Zionsville, IN
- Lebanon, IN
- Greenwood, IN
- Franklin, IN
- Avon, IN
- Brownsburg, IN
- Mooresville, IN
- Greenfield, IN
- Shelbyville, IN
How this works: Plumbers in Indianapolis Today is a referral service. When you call 317-314-8486, we connect you with an independent, licensed heating and cooling contractor who serves your area. The contractor quotes, performs and stands behind the work, not us.
Related heating and cooling help
- Heating and cooling in Indianapolis
- AC and heat pump repair
- Furnace repair
- Furnace and AC replacement cost
Do you only help with plumbing?
No. Plumbers in Indianapolis Today also connects callers with independent, licensed heating and cooling contractors for furnace, AC and heat pump repair and replacement. Call 317-314-8486 for either.
Can I get HVAC repair at night or on a weekend?
Yes. Calls to 317-314-8486 are answered 24/7, and we take after hours furnace, AC and heat pump calls across Indianapolis and every town we serve. We'll connect you with a licensed technician who works near you.
How often should a furnace and AC be serviced?
Once a year each is the usual advice: the AC in spring before the heat arrives and the furnace in fall before the first cold night. Change standard filters every one to three months.