Furnace Repair in Lago Vista, TX
Licensed & insured · Texas AC contractor TACLA22663C · Responsible Master Plumber RMP44420 · Family-owned since 2018 · Nextdoor Fave 2024 and 2026
Furnace not heating? We find out why and give you the price first.
Furnace repair for Lago Vista homes
Real Texas Plumbing - Heating and Air repairs natural gas, propane and electric furnaces in Lago Vista, Jonestown, The Hollows and around Lake Travis. A licensed technician finds out why the furnace will not start, will not stay lit, blows cold air or keeps shutting off, shows you what failed, and gives you a written price before any repair. Our shop is in Lago Vista at 20811 Dawn Dr, we are licensed and insured (Texas AC contractor TACLA22663C, Responsible Master Plumber RMP44420), and we have been family-owned since 2018.
Call (512) 662-2949. A $65 trip charge applies and is applied toward the work when you go ahead.
Smell gas or hear a carbon monoxide alarm? Do this first
If you smell gas, leave the house, leave the door open behind you, and do not use light switches, the thermostat or a phone inside. From outside, call 911 and your gas company or propane supplier. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get everyone outside and call 911. Call us after the house is safe. Do not relight or restart the furnace until it has been checked.
What is your furnace doing?
Start with what you see and hear. These are the furnace calls we get most, and what usually sits behind each one.
Furnace will not turn on. Thermostat batteries or settings, a tripped breaker, the furnace power switch turned off, an open door panel, or a failed control board or transformer.
Clicks but never lights. A worn hot surface ignitor, no gas reaching the furnace, or a gas valve that is not opening. On propane, an empty or low tank.
Lights, then shuts off after a few seconds. A dirty flame sensor is the usual cause. The furnace cannot prove it has a flame, so it closes the gas for safety.
Blowing cold or lukewarm air. The fan set to On instead of Auto, a burner that is locking out, or on an electric furnace, one or more heating elements not coming on.
Turns on and off every few minutes. A clogged filter or blocked vents overheating the furnace until its high-limit switch shuts it down, or a thermostat problem.
Blower runs and never stops. Fan setting, a stuck relay, or a limit switch holding the blower on because the furnace ran hot.
Banging, squealing or grinding. A delayed ignition bang at startup, a worn blower motor or bearings, or a loose blower wheel.
Burning smell. A dusty smell for the first hour of the season is normal. A smell of hot plastic or wiring is not. Turn the furnace off and call.
Water around the furnace. High-efficiency furnaces make water as they run, and a clogged drain line or trap will shut them down.
A blinking light behind the small window on the furnace door. That is an error code. Count the flashes and tell us when you call.
Check these before you call
These take five minutes and sometimes save a visit.
Set the thermostat to Heat, fan to Auto, and a few degrees above room temperature. Replace the batteries if it has them.
Look at the air filter and change it if it is gray or clogged.
Check the breaker panel. An electric furnace often has two breakers.
Find the furnace power switch, which looks like a light switch on or near the unit, and make sure it is on.
Make sure the furnace door panel is fully seated. Most furnaces will not run with it loose.
On propane, read the tank gauge. Below about 20 percent, call your propane supplier.
Open any vents and returns that are closed or covered.
Leave the burner compartment, gas valve and wiring to a licensed technician. For a longer walk-through, see our guide to what to check when the heat is not working.
Gas, propane and electric furnaces around Lake Travis
Homes here heat three different ways, and each one fails differently.
Propane furnaces. Propane is the gas we see most at lake homes, because a lot of lots out here were never reached by a gas main. A propane furnace has the same parts as a natural gas one, set up for propane, plus a tank, a regulator and a line you own. When a propane furnace will not light, the tank level, the tank valve and the regulator get checked along with the furnace. If a furnace was ever switched between natural gas and propane, it has to be converted with the manufacturer's kit, and a furnace set up for the wrong fuel is a safety problem we look for.
Natural gas furnaces. The usual repairs are the ignitor, flame sensor, pressure switch, inducer motor, gas valve, blower motor and control board. We also look at the heat exchanger and the vent pipe, because those are the parts that keep exhaust out of your air.
Electric furnaces. An electric furnace is an air handler with heating elements inside. There is no flame, so there is no gas or carbon monoxide risk from the unit, but elements, sequencers, limit switches and breakers fail, and the house gets lukewarm air instead of heat. Electricity in Lago Vista comes from Pedernales Electric Cooperative, and an electric furnace running on half its elements often shows up as a long run time and a high bill before anyone notices the air is cooler.
If your outdoor unit runs when the heat is on, you have a heat pump, not a furnace. See heat pump repair.
Why furnaces fail in Lago Vista
Furnaces here sit idle for eight or nine months and then get asked to run hard on the first cold front. Dust on the burners and flame sensor, a filter left in since summer, and a drain line that dried out and clogged are the first-cold-night calls. Many furnaces around the lake are in attics, where summer heat is hard on control boards and wiring. Lake and weekend homes add one more pattern: nobody is there to notice a furnace that quit, so the first sign is a cold house on arrival, and in a hard freeze that puts the pipes at risk too. If your home sits empty part of the winter, have the furnace checked before your first cold stay with a heating tune-up.
What we check on a furnace repair visit
Controls and power. Thermostat, wiring, breakers, the furnace switch, door switch, transformer and control board, and any error codes stored on the board.
Ignition and flame. Ignitor, flame sensor, burners, gas valve and gas pressure. On propane, the regulator and supply to the furnace.
Safety switches. The pressure switch, high-limit switch and flame rollout switches, and why any of them tripped. A tripped safety is a symptom, so we look for the cause instead of resetting it and leaving.
Venting and heat exchanger. The inducer motor, the vent pipe, and a visual check of the heat exchanger for cracks or rust.
Airflow. Blower motor, capacitor, blower wheel, filter and the ductwork we can reach. Leaky or crushed ducts make a good furnace look weak. See duct sealing and air duct repair.
Electric furnaces. Each heating element, the sequencers that bring them on in stages, and the amperage each one draws.
Furnace parts we repair and replace
Hot surface ignitors, flame sensors, pressure switches, inducer motors, gas valves, blower motors and capacitors, control boards, transformers, limit and rollout switches, condensate drains and pumps, heating elements, sequencers and thermostats. If the trouble is on the gas line or propane line feeding the furnace, we handle that too. See gas line services. If the thermostat is the problem, see thermostat installation.
How much does furnace repair cost in Lago Vista?
It depends on which part failed. Cleaning a flame sensor and replacing a blower motor are very different bills. Here is how we price it: a $65 trip charge covers the visit and is applied toward the work when you go ahead, the technician diagnoses the furnace, and you get the repair price in writing before anything is replaced. If you say no, you owe the trip charge and nothing else. Real Home Care members do not pay the trip charge and get 10% off the repair.
Emergency furnace repair in Lago Vista
We answer the phone Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. We do not send technicians out overnight, and we would rather tell you that now than have you find out at midnight. If the furnace quits after hours: for a gas smell or a carbon monoxide alarm, get out and call 911. Otherwise turn the furnace off, close off rooms you are not using, open the cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls, and let faucets drip if a freeze is forecast. Use space heaters only on a hard floor, away from anything that burns, and never while you sleep. Call us when the office opens. More on this on our emergency heating repair page.
Repair or replace your furnace?
Most furnace problems are repairs. A furnace under about 15 years old with a failed ignitor, sensor, motor or board is usually worth fixing. We bring up replacement when the heat exchanger is cracked, when the furnace is past about 15 to 20 years and needs an expensive part, or when it has needed repair after repair. If another company told you the furnace has to be replaced, we will give you a second look for the same $65 trip charge. We install gas, propane and electric furnaces. See heating replacement, and heat pump replacement if you are thinking about getting off propane.
Keep the furnace from quitting next winter
A furnace checked in the fall rarely fails on the first cold night. Real Home Care covers your plumbing and your heating and air in one plan for $45 a month. Members get priority scheduling, the $65 trip charge waived and 10% off repairs. See Real Home Care.
Where we repair furnaces
We repair furnaces across Lago Vista, including Highland Lake Estates, Bar-K Ranches, Tessera, Lakeshore Ranch, Waterford on Lake Travis, Marshall's Point, Montechino and North Shore Colony. We also serve Jonestown, The Hollows, Point Venture, Northshore on Lake Travis and Leander, with a second shop in Lakeway, and we serve homes across Greater Austin. Our Lago Vista shop is at 20811 Dawn Dr, Unit 706, Lago Vista, TX 78645. For everything else we do with heat, see heating services and heating repair.
Hours: Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to noon.
Our Furnace Repair Process
Four steps, and nothing starts until you say yes.
You Call
Tell us what the furnace is doing, what fuel it runs on (natural gas, propane or electric) and about how old it is. A $65 trip charge applies and goes toward the repair.
We Diagnose
The technician runs the furnace through a full heating cycle and tests the parts that light it, prove the flame, move the air and shut it down safely.
You Get a Written Price
We show you the part or the reading and give you the price in writing before any repair.
You Decide
Nothing starts until you say yes. If the furnace is not worth repairing, we tell you and show you the numbers.
Furnace Repair FAQs
Straight answers to what Lago Vista homeowners ask when the furnace quits.
What Our Customers Say
Real reviews from neighbors in Lago Vista and around Lake Travis.
"Very trustworthy team! I will definitely be using this company again!"
"Fast service. Didnt charge me anything for coming out."
"Efrain was outstanding, honest in his assessment of the situation. Very nice and personable. Willie was my installation technician. Very professional and efficient."
"We had a great experience with Real Texas Plumbing! We came home to our grinder pump being out. They were here first thing in the morning on a Sunday replacing it. They beat our first estimate by around $1500. They will be our go to company for plumbing and HVAC in the future."
"Friendly and knowledgeable techs came out, confirmed the problem and replaced what was needed. A very fair price compared other companies I had come out the day before."
"Very prompt arrival to fix leak in-ground, fixed everything in about an hour, very reasonable price, and glorious to be able to turn on a faucet or shower and get WATER!. I would/will use them again should any need arise. RECOMMENDED!"
"Amazing service. The day I called about my hot water heater, they came right out, tested it and replaced it!"
"Efrain, who is actually the business owner, did the service. He’s very nice, helpful and professional. We’re hoping that the grinder pump they installed lasts 2 decades."
"I had a fantastic experience with Real Texas Plumbing Heating & Air! Our grinder pump backed up, but their team responded quickly. The technician arrived on time, diagnosed the issue immediately, cleaned and serviced the unit, and tested the alarm and float switches before leaving. They were prompt, honest, and kept the area spotless. Exceptional service from start to finish."
"Super impressed with the detail of real Texas, plumbing and heating and air-conditioning. It was a Superfast transaction I’m really thankful they came out. Took care of everything. My hats off to Efrain and the whole company I live in Leander, Texas and for your heating and air-conditioning needs check out real Texas."
"Great service! These guys do a detailed inspection at a great rate. I wouldn’t use anyone else!"
"These guys are great. Scheduling was quick and easy. Derek came out and got my AC back up and running in no time. Polite and professional. I will be using them for my HVAC services in the future!"
"Same day service. Replaced the capacitor. Fast, reliable. Will use in future."
"Real Texas is the only company i will ever use after going through 3 others. They are fast, reliable and trustworthy. Derek is the best and truly cares about getting the job done right"
"Efrain and his team are phenomenal! Responses were timely with same day service. They went above and beyond to get our grinder pump running again on a holiday weekend. I highly recommend Real Texas Plumbing and Heating! Mary X."
"Prompt, professional, and all around EXCELLENT!! Thank you for the attention to our sump system, we are very happy!"
"Honestly, great service.They made an appointment.They were on time, they were prepared.And they got the job done."
"Great service! I’m extremely happy with the experience. It was very easy to schedule, they arrived when they said they would within an 1 hr window so I didn’t have to wait around all day, and they were able to fix my issue in short time. Very happy with the work and the fair price, will definitely use them going forward and recommending to everyone."
"I found Efrain four years ago and have used him for all of my plumbing needs since. Reasonably priced, responds quickly, and does a great job! I have used him to find and fix a leak near the valve by the street, replace exterior faucets, and replace a busted water heater. I consider him “my guy” for all plumbing needs."
"We called Efrain Saturday day about noon with a leaking disposal. He was out here in the 2 hours he promised with a new garbage disposal in hand. Took about an hour to replace and we don't have anymore to worry about. Appreciate his quick response and competent work. We will call Real Texas Plumbing in the future."
"Excellent service. Efrain and his buddy are heros. They fixed the grinder pump professionally, great attitude, no up selling, fair to good deal on pricing. Even triaged a sink leak for me. Highly recommend Efrain."
"We were out of town when we were notified that our septic alarm was going off. Real Texas Plumbing came out right away and replaced our lift system pump with one that should last for many years. They sent photos and explained what they had done which brought me a good deal of relief. Happy to have them on my team in case of an emergency."
"My grinder pump quit working this morning. I called Efrain and less than three hours later he had replaced the broken line and fittings inside the tank. He also bundled and tied up the electrical wires to get them away from the floats. I am very pleased with the quick response and excellent work."
"Hot water heater went out...shopped for "best" deal I could get on short notice. Efrain gave me "BEST" of 4 quotes...And came out same day and Removed and Replaced my water heater for MUCH less than other local in area dealers! He SAVED our Christmas!!!"
"Efron and his guys were at my home within a couple hours of my SOS for the dreaded grinder pump red light! They were on top of it and sent me a diagnosis quickly. Thank you so much for all of your assistance.!"
"They did a great job with fixing my ac unit and arrived on time and professional highly recommended"
"Excellent service! Efrain did an amazing job replacing my pump. He was on time, professional, and made sure everything was working perfectly before he left. Highly recommend!"
"These guys (Efran and his brother) are great. Efran answered his phone and came out the same day to fix my grinder pump. Great to work with and very knowledgeable. I would recommend highly."
"I ended up not needing service but they were so helpful on the phone while trying to reset my water heater! I will definitely use them in the future!"
"We are so grateful to have the team at Real Texas to help us w our plumbing and other needs at our house. We've had them come out for big issues and small and the price is always fair and the team friendly and reliable. Peace of mind for our home."
"New go to plumbing service! They came out to fix our water heater. They were prompt and thorough and very reasonable. Will definitely call Real Texas Plumbing for any future plumbing needs."
"If you have a grinder pump, these guys are the people to call! I had a grinder pump poorly installed by another company, and Real Texas Plumbing came out the same day I called and took care of everything."
"Used Real Texas for many projects at multiple properties and they consistently do top of the line work. They are our absolute go to for all things plumbing"
"I had a great experience with texas plumbing. They were professional on time and explained everything clearly before starting the work. The job was done quickly, i highly recommend them for anyone needing reliable plumbing service!"
"Great service, worked with me on the price and recommended a good brand on the new grinder pump they installed. Would work with them again."
"Had a great experience with Real Texas Plumbing! Efrain & Ben were polite, professional, and took the time to throughly explain my hot water heater replacement. The work was completely promptly and for a reasonable price. I will be using them in the future for any plumbing repairs."
"Real Plumbing was quick, clean and very respectful when they came to my home to replace 2 toilets. I will definitely have them back to do more plumbing work!"
"These guys were great. Upfront about everything and explained what was wrong with my laundry drain issue. Very professional and took care of my problems as soon as they arrived. Highly recommend. Thank you Efrain and Ben!"
"They were very professional and helpful at my new house, took care of grinder pump service for a good deal and helped check out other hvac issues in the home!"
"We called Real Texas Plumbing Heating and Air when we lost heat at our house in Lago Vista. They came out the same day, found the issue, and fixed it. They did a great job. I would definitely recommend them to anyone."
"Very happy with the service and quality of the work done at our home. They came out the same day I called and completed the work within a day!"
"Always quick to respond and get the needed work completed. Efrain is very knowledgeable about his work and simply, a nice guy to do business with!"
"Real Texas Plumbing came out early to repair my water heater and repair a tub faucet with new parts and did a great job. He took extra care to make all was working correct. I will recommend this company for good honest reliable work."
"Efrain is such a breath of fresh air and an asset to the Lago Vista community. His work is impeccable. He shows up on time and gets the job done in a timely manner. Highly recommend."
"Real Texas Plumbing replaced our hot water heater today. We are very happy. *price was fair *great appliance *Efrain (owner) arrived on time, was knowledgable and installed the heater perfectly. I recommend Real Texas Plumbing and will use them again!"
"Efrain is honest, reliable, gets the job done and no up-selling. He diagnosed, replaced a water heater pump that sprung a leak because of a faulty install of sub standard materials & parts by the builder. Would recommend him 100%"
"I had a broken grinder pump and my usual plumber wasn't responding to my calls. Efrain offered his services and came to my rescue. He is professional, experienced, trustworthy, and best of all, he shows up exactly when he says he will. Needless to say, my "usual" plumber has been replaced by Efrain."
Licensed, insured and family-owned in Lago Vista since 2018. You get a written price before we start.