Sandison Heating and Furnace Services in Oakland and Macomb Counties
Furnace diagnosis, repair, maintenance, installation, and replacement for homes and businesses throughout Oakland and Macomb Counties.
Michigan winters demand reliable heating. Sandison diagnoses the root cause of heating failures — not just the presenting symptom. Michigan Mechanical License 7115733.
Heating Services
Furnace diagnosis and repair
Systematic diagnosis of no-heat and intermittent-heating problems. Sandison identifies the root cause — not just the presenting symptom — before recommending any repair.
Furnace maintenance
Annual furnace tune-up including burner cleaning, heat exchanger inspection, ignition system check, flame sensor cleaning, blower motor inspection, and safety switch verification.
Furnace installation and replacement
New furnace installation and replacement for residential and commercial applications. Includes sizing, equipment selection, venting, gas supply, electrical, and startup.
Emergency heating service
Emergency heating calls accepted 24/7. After-hours response depends on technician availability, location, and work type. Call (248) 467-1761 for after-hours emergencies.
No-Heat and Intermittent-Heating Problems
A furnace that does not produce heat, starts and shuts off, or heats intermittently can have several different root causes. Sandison's diagnostic process works through the full system rather than replacing the most common failed component and hoping it resolves the problem.
Common causes of no-heat and intermittent-heating problems include:
Many of these conditions produce the same symptom — a furnace that starts and shuts off — but require different repairs. Sandison identifies the actual cause before recommending any work.
Sandison's Diagnostic Process
Sandison's furnace diagnostic is systematic. The technician works through the full system — thermostat and controls, ignition, combustion, heat exchanger, venting, blower, and airflow — rather than replacing parts based on the most common cause of a given symptom.
Thermostat and control board
Verify setpoints, wiring, and control signals. Check for error codes on communicating systems. Test control board outputs.
Ignition system
Test hot surface ignitor resistance and operation. Test spark ignitor and electrode gap. Verify ignition sequence timing.
Flame sensor
Measure microamp signal. Clean or replace fouled sensor. Verify flame sensor rod position and grounding.
Gas valve and burners
Verify gas pressure at manifold. Check valve operation and solenoid function. Inspect burners for fouling or damage.
Inducer motor and pressure switches
Verify inducer motor operation and amperage. Test pressure switch operation and tubing for blockage or cracks.
Heat exchanger
Visual inspection and thermal imaging for cracks, holes, or corrosion. Document findings. A cracked heat exchanger is a safety concern.
Blower motor and capacitor
Test motor operation, speed, and amperage. Test capacitor. Inspect blower wheel for debris or damage.
Airflow and ductwork
Check filter condition. Measure temperature rise. Identify restricted airflow that causes limit trips.
Heat Exchanger Inspection and Safety
The heat exchanger separates the combustion gases — including carbon monoxide — from the air circulated through the home. A cracked or failed heat exchanger can allow combustion gases to enter the living space. Sandison inspects heat exchangers as part of every furnace diagnostic and uses thermal imaging to identify cracks and defects that visual inspection alone may miss.
If a cracked heat exchanger is found, Sandison provides written documentation of the finding and presents repair and replacement options. A furnace with a confirmed cracked heat exchanger should not be operated until the heat exchanger is replaced or the furnace is replaced.
Gas and Electric Furnace Applications
Gas Furnaces
Gas furnaces are the most common heating system in Oakland and Macomb County. Natural gas is widely available and provides lower operating costs than electric resistance heating. Sandison installs and services gas furnaces from 80% AFUE atmospheric-vent models to 96%+ AFUE two-stage and modulating condensing furnaces. Proper venting, gas supply, and combustion air are critical to safe and efficient operation.
Electric Furnaces and Heat Pumps
Electric furnaces use resistance heating elements and are used where natural gas is not available or in applications where a heat pump provides primary heating and the electric furnace provides backup. Heat pumps are increasingly common in Michigan as cold-climate models have improved. Sandison installs and services both electric furnaces and heat pump systems. See heat pumps for more information.
Bryant Heating Equipment
Sandison installs and services Bryant heating equipment for residential and commercial customers throughout Oakland and Macomb Counties. Bryant forced-air furnaces and air handlers are available in a range of efficiency levels — from standard 80% AFUE models to high-efficiency two-stage and modulating condensing furnaces at 96%+ AFUE.
Bryant's Evolution and Preferred series furnaces offer variable-speed and two-stage operation, which provides longer run cycles, improved dehumidification, and more consistent temperatures compared to single-stage equipment. Sandison evaluates the right equipment tier for each application based on the home's ductwork, the owner's comfort priorities, and the project budget.
All Bryant equipment installed by Sandison is sized to the building load, connected to properly sized ductwork and venting, and commissioned to manufacturer specifications before the job is complete.
Repair Versus Replacement
Sandison evaluates several factors before recommending repair or replacement:
- Age of the system — most gas furnaces have a service life of 15 to 20 years under normal conditions.
- Cost of the repair relative to replacement — a major component failure on a 17-year-old furnace may not be the best investment.
- Efficiency of the existing equipment — older furnaces may operate at 80% AFUE or lower; current equipment reaches 96%+ AFUE.
- Condition of other components — if multiple components are showing wear, a single repair may be followed by additional failures.
- Heat exchanger condition — a confirmed cracked heat exchanger is a strong indicator for replacement.
Sandison presents both options with honest guidance. Financing is available for qualifying replacements — see financing options.
Residential Heating
Sandison provides residential furnace repair, maintenance, installation, and replacement for homeowners throughout Oakland and Macomb Counties. Residential heating service includes all major furnace components — ignition, combustion, heat exchanger, controls, blower, and venting.
Commercial Heating
Sandison services commercial heating equipment for offices, retail, medical, and light industrial facilities throughout Oakland and Macomb Counties. Commercial heating service includes rooftop units, packaged systems, and split systems. Sandison's thermal imaging capabilities are particularly useful for commercial facilities with complex systems or recurring problems.
Emergency Heating Service
Emergency heating calls are accepted 24/7. For after-hours heating emergencies, call (248) 467-1761. After-hours response depends on technician availability, your location, and the type of work required.
For scheduling during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.), call (248) 453-1227.
Heating and Furnace — Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sandison check during a furnace diagnostic?
My furnace starts but shuts off after a few minutes. What is the likely cause?
How serious is a cracked heat exchanger?
When should a furnace be replaced rather than repaired?
Is emergency heating service available after hours?
What is the difference between a gas furnace and an electric furnace?
What does furnace maintenance include?
Schedule Heating Service
Call Sandison at (248) 453-1227 or submit a service request online. For after-hours heating emergencies, call (248) 467-1761.