HVAC Repair in Polson, MT
If your system quits, tell us what it's doing and a licensed contractor who covers Lake County will get in touch.
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Ten months of heat, and not much room for error
Your furnace in Polson runs September through June. That is ten months of the year with almost no break, and on winter nights that average 20°F it is working hard the whole time. That kind of run time wears on the igniter and the blower motor before their time. Most homes here heat with electricity, so when the power goes out, the heat goes with it.
Lake County sees real winter weather. Ten years of records show 125 winter storms and 57 damaging wind events, and across Montana, 18% of households lost power for a full day or more in 2024. A furnace that depends on the grid is only as reliable as the grid is, and here that is worth planning around.
- 10 months
- September through June, your system heats
- 20°F
- the average winter night it heats against
- 76°F
- the average summer afternoon it cools against
Montana requires HVAC contractors to hold a state license.
Montana tested this contractor before issuing that license, and the license is tied to the contractor rather than to any single job. That record sits with the Department of Labor and Industry, so a contractor working in Lake County under that license has already met the state's standard, not just made a promise to this one customer.
For a repair job, that license is what stands behind the work. Montana does carve out an exception. Work under $2,500 does not require a licensed contractor. A repair can land on either side of that line depending on what the job turns out to need, so it is worth knowing which side yours falls on before the work starts.
Source: Montana Legislature
- Why is my heat not working?
- Most often it comes down to the thermostat, the igniter, or a safety switch that shut the furnace down. Check that the thermostat is set to heat and the temperature is above room temperature first, and check the batteries if it has a screen. Then check the filter. A filter clogged enough can choke off airflow until the furnace overheats and shuts itself off. If the furnace is not lighting at all, or it lights and then quits, that points to the igniter or the flame sensor, and that is a job for a contractor. With winter nights here averaging 20°F, a furnace that will not hold heat needs attention right away.
- Why is my system running but not cooling the house?
- If the system runs but the air coming out is not cold, check the filter first, since a blocked filter starves the coil of airflow and stops it from cooling properly. Check the outdoor unit too, and clear away any leaves, grass, or debris around it. If the filter is clean and the outdoor unit is clear and the house still is not cooling, that usually means low refrigerant or a failing part, and a contractor will need to check it with gauges.
- What can I check before calling for HVAC repair?
- Start with the thermostat. Confirm it is set to the right mode and the batteries are good. Then check the filter and replace it if it is dirty, since a clogged filter is behind a lot of heating and cooling complaints. Check the breaker for the system too, since a tripped breaker will stop it cold with no other warning. If the outdoor unit is involved, make sure nothing is blocking it. If all of that checks out and the system still is not working right, a licensed contractor can diagnose it and price the job for your house.