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North Texas winters are short, but when a cold front blows through, you want your furnace to fire up without a fight. These are the furnace questions we hear most often from homeowners in Carrollton and across DFW.

Why does my furnace smell like it’s burning the first time I turn it on?

A dusty, burning smell for the first few minutes of the season is normal. Dust settles on the heat exchanger over the summer and burns off. If the smell lasts more than an hour, smells electrical, or smells like gas, turn the system off and call a professional. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas company first.

How often should I change my furnace filter?

Check it monthly and replace it every 1 to 3 months. Homes with pets, allergies or recent remodeling may need more frequent changes. A clogged filter is one of the most common reasons a furnace overheats and shuts itself off.

Why does my furnace keep turning on and off?

Frequent short cycles can come from a dirty filter, a faulty flame sensor, an overheating heat exchanger, a thermostat in the wrong spot, or a furnace that’s too big for the home. Short cycling wears out parts and wastes energy, so it’s worth having it checked.

My furnace is running but blowing cold air. What’s wrong?

First, make sure the thermostat is set to “heat” and the fan is on “auto,” not “on.” If it still blows cold, the problem may be the ignitor, flame sensor, gas supply or a safety switch. Those repairs are best left to a trained technician.

How long does a furnace last?

Most gas furnaces last 15 to 20 years with regular maintenance. Because Texas furnaces don’t run as many hours as northern ones, they often last a long time. The air conditioner they share a blower with usually wears out first, which is why many homeowners replace both together.

Do I need a carbon monoxide detector?

Yes. Every home with a gas furnace, water heater or stove should have working carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas and on each level. An annual furnace inspection includes checking the heat exchanger and venting for problems that can cause CO leaks.

Should I repair or replace my furnace?

If your furnace is over 15 years old, needs a major part such as a heat exchanger or blower motor, or has had several repairs in recent years, replacement often makes more sense. We’ll give you an honest recommendation and a free estimate on new systems. See our heating and furnace services.

Talk to a Local HVAC Pro

Furnace acting up? Call J & Sons Air Conditioning and Heating at (214) 274-1610. We’re a family-owned company based in Carrollton, and we answer the phone 24/7.

Picking the right air conditioning contractor matters as much as picking the right equipment. Even a top-of-the-line system will run poorly if it’s installed wrong. Here’s what to look for before you hire anyone to work on your heating and cooling in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

1. Check the Texas License

In Texas, air conditioning and refrigeration contractors must be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). A licensed contractor’s number usually starts with “TACLA.” You can look up any license on the TDLR website in a minute. Be cautious of anyone who can’t give you a license number.

2. Ask About Insurance

A reputable company carries liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, or your home is damaged, you could end up paying for it.

3. Get It in Writing

A good estimate lists the exact equipment model numbers, what’s included (refrigerant lines, thermostat, permits, haul-away) and the total price. Be wary of quotes given over the phone without anyone looking at your home. A proper replacement quote should start with an in-home evaluation.

4. Understand the Warranty

Ask about two warranties: the manufacturer’s parts warranty and the contractor’s labor warranty. Find out who registers the equipment, how long each warranty lasts, and whether maintenance is required to keep it valid.

5. Read Real Reviews

Google reviews from your neighbors tell you a lot about how a company treats people. Look at how recent the reviews are and how the company responds to problems, not just at the star rating.

6. Look for a Local Company

A local, family-owned contractor lives in the same community you do and depends on word of mouth. That usually means faster response times, technicians who know local homes, and someone who will still answer the phone after the job is done.

Why Homeowners Choose J & Sons

J & Sons Air Conditioning and Heating is a family-owned company based in Carrollton. Our technicians are licensed and insured, we give free estimates on new systems, we explain your options and pricing before any work starts, and we’re available 24/7 for emergencies.

Talk to a Local HVAC Pro

Have a question about your system? Call J & Sons Air Conditioning and Heating at (214) 274-1610. We’re a family-owned company based in Carrollton, and we answer the phone 24/7.

Skipping HVAC maintenance is like never changing the oil in your car. Everything seems fine until something expensive breaks, usually on the hottest or coldest day of the year. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where an AC can run for six or seven months a year, regular maintenance matters even more.

What Maintenance Does for You

• Fewer breakdowns. Most emergency calls come from problems a tune-up would have caught: weak capacitors, clogged drain lines, dirty coils and low refrigerant.
• Lower energy bills. A clean, properly charged system uses less electricity to keep your home at the same temperature.
• Longer equipment life. Keeping the compressor and blower from overworking can add years to your system.
• Warranty protection. Many manufacturers require proof of regular maintenance to honor a parts warranty.
• Safety. A furnace check includes the burners, heat exchanger and venting, which protects your family from carbon monoxide.

When to Schedule

We recommend two visits a year: an AC tune-up in spring, before the North Texas heat arrives, and a furnace or heat pump check in fall, before the first cold front. Scheduling early also means you’re not waiting in line during the summer rush.

What a Good Tune-Up Includes

• Cleaning the outdoor condenser coil and checking the fan motor
• Testing capacitors, contactors and electrical connections
• Checking refrigerant pressures and temperature split
• Flushing the condensate drain line so it doesn’t back up and leak
• Inspecting the blower, belts and evaporator coil
• For heating, checking the ignition, burners, flame sensor, heat exchanger and venting
• Testing thermostat operation and safety controls

What You Can Do Between Visits

• Change or check your air filter every 1 to 3 months, more often with pets
• Keep at least two feet of clear space around the outdoor unit
• Keep supply and return vents open and unblocked
• Call us if you notice new noises, odors, water around the indoor unit or ice on the lines

Learn more about our HVAC maintenance service for homes and businesses.

Talk to a Local HVAC Pro

Want to schedule a tune-up? Call J & Sons Air Conditioning and Heating at (214) 274-1610. We’re a family-owned company based in Carrollton, and we answer the phone 24/7.

In North Texas, your air conditioner works harder than almost anything else in your home. When it starts struggling through a Carrollton summer, the question of repair versus replacement comes up fast. Here’s what to weigh before you buy a new A/C system.

Signs It’s Time to Replace, Not Repair

• Age. Most central AC systems last 12 to 15 years in our climate. If yours is older than that, replacement usually makes more sense than another major repair.
• Repeat repairs. If you’re calling for service every summer, those bills add up quickly.
• R-22 refrigerant. Systems built before about 2010 often use R-22, which is no longer produced. Recharging one is expensive, and the price keeps climbing.
• Rising electric bills. An older, worn system can use far more electricity than a modern one to keep the same temperature.
• Uneven comfort. Hot upstairs rooms, high humidity or a system that never shuts off are signs the equipment is failing or was never sized correctly.

Getting the Size Right

Bigger is not better. An oversized system cools the house quickly, shuts off, and never runs long enough to pull humidity out of the air. An undersized system runs nonstop and still can’t keep up on a 105° day. A good contractor sizes the system from your home’s square footage, insulation, windows and layout, not just by matching the tonnage of the unit you already have.

Understanding Efficiency Ratings

Efficiency is measured in SEER2. The higher the number, the less electricity the system uses for the same amount of cooling. Federal minimums for Texas went up in 2023, so every new system is more efficient than what most older homes have. Higher-SEER2 systems with two-stage or variable-speed compressors cost more up front, but they run quieter, control humidity better and lower your monthly bills through long Texas summers.

Newer systems also use lower-impact refrigerants such as R-454B. That’s another reason to replace a very old system instead of investing more in it.

Comparing Quotes

When you get estimates, make sure you’re comparing the same things:

• The exact equipment brand and model numbers, for both the indoor and outdoor units
• Whether new refrigerant lines, a new thermostat, a drain pan and permits are included
• The manufacturer’s parts warranty and the contractor’s labor warranty
• Whether the contractor will register the equipment so you get the full warranty

At J & Sons, our installed price includes the equipment, materials and labor, and every system is tested and commissioned on site. See our good, better and best Trane options, or ask about financing.

Talk to a Local HVAC Pro

Ready for a free estimate on a new system? Call J & Sons Air Conditioning and Heating at (214) 274-1610. We’re a family-owned company based in Carrollton, and we answer the phone 24/7.