What to expect from a professional furnace check
Homeowners in Ogden know the first cold snap can arrive fast. A professional furnace check keeps heat steady, bills reasonable, and safety tight. Here is what a complete visit looks like, based on what local systems need and what One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning techs see every week across Ogden, North Ogden, Washington Terrace, and South Ogden.
How long it takes and when to schedule
Most furnace checks take 45 to 90 minutes for a single system. Older units, oil-to-gas conversions, or systems with add-ons like whole-home humidifiers can take longer. The smart time to schedule is early fall, before sustained cold. That timing helps catch parts that may fail under December load. If the furnace already shows symptoms—short cycling, loud starts, or a burnt smell—request service the same week and mention “furnace repair Ogden” so dispatch prioritizes a repair-capable visit.

A clear start: interview and thermostat test
A good technician starts with questions. Any hot-cold spots, odd noises, or recent filter changes matter. Then the thermostat gets a basic test. The tech confirms the setpoint, mode, and temperature swing. Miscalibrated thermostats cause short cycling and lawnmower-like starts. If it reads 72 while the room is 68, the visit should include recalibration or replacement advice.
Safety first: gas, venting, and combustion checks
Safety checks come before performance tweaks. On a typical natural gas furnace in Ogden, the tech inspects:
Gas supply and shutoff valve: looks for leaks with detector fluid or an electronic sniffer. Venting and exhaust: confirms flue slope, joint integrity, and that no corrosion or nesting blocks the path. Combustion air: verifies the furnace has an adequate fresh-air source, especially important in tight homes or finished basements.
For mid- and high-efficiency models, the tech checks the heat exchanger surfaces for cracks using light, mirrors, or camera tools. A damaged exchanger is a no-heat or replace-only item because of carbon monoxide risk. If readings suggest abnormal CO in the flue, the system stays off until corrected. That prevents the common winter emergency call that starts with headaches and ends with the fire department.
Burner, igniter, and flame signal
The tech removes the burner compartment cover and inspects the igniter. Hot-surface igniters typically read 40 to 90 ohms; values outside that range forecast failure. Burners get brushed or vacuumed to clear rust flakes. The flame sensor gets cleaned; a thin film can drop flame signal voltage and cause nuisance shutdowns. These are small tasks that prevent midnight no-heat problems.
Blower and airflow checks
Strong airflow keeps heat even and parts healthy. The technician inspects the blower wheel for dust cemented to the fins and checks the motor amperage against the nameplate. Dirty wheels can cut airflow by 20 percent or more. The tech measures static pressure with a manometer. Many Utah homes run above 0.8 inches water column, which strains motors and shortens heat exchanger life. If pressure is high, the recommendations often include a better filter cabinet, duct corrections, or a blower speed change to match the system.

Filters, returns, and common Ogden duct issues
Filters are simple but critical. The tech checks size, MERV rating, and fit. A 1-inch high-MERV filter can choke airflow; a 4-inch media cabinet with the right rating protects the furnace without bottlenecking air. Returns in older Ogden homes are sometimes undersized. The tech may point out closed-door pressure issues that starve return airflow. Small changes, like leaving certain doors open during heat calls or adding a return path, can smooth comfort and reduce burner run time.
Electrical and controls
Loose connections create nuisance trips. The tech tightens low- and line-voltage connections, inspects wire insulation, and checks the control board for browning or bulging components. They test the inducer motor and pressure switch operation. If the pressure switch trips at 0.9 in. w.c. but the furnace needs 1.2 to prove, the tech will investigate vent restriction, condensate blockage, or switch drift.
Condensate and high-efficiency details
High-efficiency furnaces produce condensate. The tech flushes the trap, confirms the slope of the drain line, and checks for bio-growth in the tubing. A simple flush can prevent a lockout on the coldest night. If the condensate pump runs, it gets tested and cleaned. Frozen outside drains or crushed vinyl lines are common causes of midwinter shutdowns in Ogden.
Heat rise and temperature measurements
A proper check includes a temperature rise test. The tech measures supply and return air temperatures and compares the rise to the rating plate. If the furnace lists a 35 to 65 degree rise and the system is running at 28, that suggests too much airflow or a control issue. If it measures 75, airflow may be low. Readings guide adjustments to blower speed, duct recommendations, and burner tuning.
Carbon monoxide and air quality
Even a well-vented furnace can introduce CO if the exchanger is failing or if the space has negative pressure from powerful kitchen hoods. The technician uses a combustion analyzer to check flue gas CO and oxygen levels. They may suggest adding low-level CO monitoring. For clients with headaches near start-up or who notice soot lines on carpet, this step is essential.
Parts that usually need attention after 8 to 12 years
Based on local service calls, the most common replacements in Ogden include hot-surface igniters, flame sensors, inducer motors, and capacitor replacements on PSC blower motors. ECM motors last longer but can be sensitive to poor airflow. If the furnace is past 12 years, the tech may review cost-benefit trade-offs: one more repair now versus a planned HVAC Ogden onehourheatandair.com replacement before peak season. Clear numbers help—an igniter replacement often runs far less than a major inducer change, while two big repairs within a season can justify evaluating a new high-efficiency unit.
What a homeowner can do between visits
Change the filter on schedule. Keep the area around the furnace clean and open. Vacuum return grilles. Do a quick smell and sound check at the first fall start. If there is a rotten-egg odor, leave the home and contact the gas utility and a qualified HVAC company. If the furnace sounds like it hits, stops, and hits again, call for service. Short cycling stresses components and drives up bills.
What it costs and what value looks like
Pricing varies by system and findings. A basic tune-up often costs less than a service call with repairs. The value shows up in fewer breakdowns, lower gas use, and even heating from room to room. Many homeowners in Ogden see a 5 to 10 percent drop in heating bills after airflow and burner adjustments. More important, safe operation means no surprise shutdowns on a single-digit night.
Signs it is time to call for furnace repair, not just a check
A routine check turns into a repair visit if the tech finds cracked heat exchangers, inducer bearings screaming, or intermittent ignition. Homeowners searching for furnace repair Ogden or furnace repair Ogden UT usually notice at least one of these symptoms:
Repeated on-off cycles within a few minutes Burning smell that lasts more than the first 10 minutes of the season Loud metal-on-metal sounds or whistling from returns Cold air from vents during a heat call Rising gas bills without a change in weather or habits
If any of these show up, ask dispatch to send a repair-trained technician with common parts on the truck.
What a written report should include
A professional visit ends with clear notes. Expect a summary of safety tests, combustion numbers if taken, static pressure and temperature rise, parts cleaned or adjusted, and any code issues. Photos of the heat exchanger, burner compartment, or venting help show what was found. A good report lists next steps by priority, not a sales list, so the homeowner can budget and plan.
Local quirks in Ogden homes that techs watch
Basement furnaces with tight utility rooms often run low on combustion air. The tech may recommend louvered doors or dedicated vents. Many homes along Harrison Boulevard and the East Bench see strong winds; wind-driven downdrafts can trip pressure switches, so vent terminations matter. In older bungalows, unlined chimneys serving mid-efficiency furnaces can corrode; a liner may be the fix. These are small, local details that make a difference in reliability.
Why quick scheduling matters during cold snaps
Once the forecast shows a week below freezing, appointment slots fill quickly. That backlog can stretch to several days for non-emergency visits. Booking early keeps options open and reduces the chance of emergency rates. If heat fails, mention vulnerable occupants or frozen-pipe risk so dispatch can triage appropriately.
What One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning delivers on a furnace check
The team arrives within the promised window, in a stocked vehicle, ready to perform both the check and common repairs on the spot. The visit includes safety inspection, airflow and electrical testing, combustion checks where applicable, and a full cleaning of burners, flame sensor, and blower housing when needed. Clear pricing comes before work, and the final report is plain language. If replacement makes more sense, the tech explains costs and likely savings without pressure.
Ready for service in Ogden
Whether it is a preventive check before the first hard freeze or a same-day furnace repair Ogden homeowners can rely on, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning serves Ogden, North Ogden, South Ogden, Washington Terrace, and nearby neighborhoods. Call or book online to lock in a service window that works with your schedule. A thorough furnace check today can prevent a no-heat call on the coldest night of the season.
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning provides trusted furnace repair in Ogden, UT and full-service HVAC solutions for homes and businesses. Family-owned and operated by Matt and Sarah McFarland, our company is built on honesty, hard work, and quality service—values passed down from Matt’s experience on McFarland Family Farms, known across Utah for its sweet corn. As part of a national network founded in 2002, we bring reliable heating and cooling care backed by professional training and local dedication.
Our licensed technicians handle furnace and AC installation, repair, and maintenance, heat pumps, ductless mini-splits, thermostat upgrades, air purification, indoor air quality testing, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, duct cleaning, zoning systems, and energy-efficient replacements. We stand by a 100% satisfaction guarantee through the UWIN® program and provide honest recommendations to help Ogden homeowners stay comfortable year-round.
Call today for dependable service that combines national standards with a personal, local touch.
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
1501 W 2650 S #103
Ogden, UT 84401, USA
Phone: (801) 405-9435
Website: https://www.onehourheatandair.com/ogden