What Does a Red Tag on a Furnace Mean?

September 30, 2026

A red tag means an HVAC professional has identified a potentially dangerous condition and disabled the furnace to prevent it from operating until the safety issue is addressed. Why Did the HVAC Tech Red Tag My Furnace? If your furnace has been “red tagged” by an HVAC technician, your unit has been disabled, and it was done to protect your safety. A red tag means the furnace has been found to be unsafe to operate because it could lead to carbon monoxide exposure, a gas leak, or a fire inside your home. Technicians are ethically obligated to shut down equipment...

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The Pilot Light that Won’t Stay Lit: Troubleshooting Why Your Flame Sensor or Thermocouple Is Failing

February 10, 2026

Winter in Kansas City can be unforgiving. Heating systems often run nonstop to keep families safe and comfortable. When a system won’t start or won’t stay running, it quickly becomes a serious concern. One common culprit is a pilot light that won’t stay lit. Although small, this component is critical in fuel-burning systems. Without a steady flame, you have no heat. At Summit Heating and Cooling, we frequently diagnose pilot light and ignition system issues, and we want to help you understand why they happen. Most older furnaces and boilers rely on a thermocouple, while many modern systems use a...

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The Myth of the FREE Furnace

January 9, 2025

The holidays are behind us and winter is setting in. It’s time to start looking forward to the new year and all the hope it brings. HVAC companies across the Metro are in the giving spirit and have decided to start offering FREE Furnaces! This is a fantastic deal, right? I mean how could a FREE furnace actually cost you more? Unfortunately, often those FREE furnace deals that you hear about do exactly that. One way or another, the FREE furnace isn’t FREE or even cheaper. It’s a great marketing strategy that has been used for over 30 years in...

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Why is My Furnace Making a Burning Smell?

October 20, 2022

Has your furnace just started making a new smell, or have you gotten used to furnace smells you think are normal? Odors from your home’s heating system can be like a set of status lights, revealing problems that the Summit Family’s service technicians can take care of. Some of them are yellow lights for developing problems like fan belt wear that will lead to failure and an urgent call later. Others are red light warnings of potentially dangerous problems that need immediate attention. Whatever they are, your safety is our number one priority, and we’re ready to help. Ducted heating...

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A Basic Understanding of How a Heat Pump Functions

January 12, 2022

A heat pump transfers heat from one location to another. The basic operation of air and ground source heat pumps is the same. Ground source heat pumps move heat between the ground outside and the inside air. Heat pumps that get heat from the air exchange heat between inside and outside the home. Your Heat Pump’s Inner Workings Heat pumps, unlike a furnace, do not create heat. Rather, their sole purpose is to transfer heat between two locations. A furnace uses a flame, a heat exchanger, and a blower to create and distribute heat in a house. Heat pumps work...

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The Role of Combustion Analysis in HVAC Efficiency

November 20, 2021

A high-efficiency heating system is vital in every home. It not only cuts utility bills but also increases your home’s value. One crucial way to maintain the efficiency of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is conducting a combustion analysis as often as is necessary. However, many people don’t understand the importance of conducting a combustion analysis and what it tells you as a homeowner. At , we are determined to educate property owners about why this simple exercise is critical. Read on for all the information on this lifehack and why you need to incorporate it into...

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Importance of Heating Maintenance

September 15, 2021

During times of severe winter weather, heating systems are essential for keeping every comfortable and safe. Unfortunately, having a functional heater in your Kansas City home is hardly enough. If you aren’t doing all that you can to properly maintain this equipment, it may fail right when you need it. Without proper care, this important building feature can lose efficiency, underperform, or not perform at all. Following are five reasons why regular heating system maintenance is absolutely essential. 1. Well-Maintained Heaters Work Better and Cost Far Less to Use You aren’t getting optimum value from your heater if you aren’t...

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Understanding the Importance of Combustion Analysis

December 18, 2020

Properly maintaining your furnace is one of the best ways to ensure that it lasts a long time and does not cause any safety hazards. This is especially important in the case of a gas furnace, given the inherent risks that come with burning natural gas in your Kansas City home. One crucial part of maintenance for gas furnaces is something called combustion analysis. While you have likely never heard of this term, it is vital that you hire a company like to ensure that a combustion analysis is performed as part of your furnace maintenance service. What Is Combustion...

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How Does a Heat Pump Boost the Energy-Efficiency of Your Home?

November 19, 2020

Heat Pumps are starting to become very popular with Midwestern homeowners. There are several benefits to installing these systems in your home. Under the right conditions, heat pumps are more efficient than those traditional heating systems. Here are a few things you’ll want to know about these heating and cooling units. Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling System If you live in a climate with mild winters and summers, you might want to use a heat pump as an alternative to air conditioners and furnaces. A heat pump uses electricity to move the heat from your cool spaces to those warmer areas....

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Benefits of Fall Furnace Maintenance

October 15, 2020

As the winter months approach the Kansas City area, the experts at are busy performing annual maintenance checks on home heating systems. It is not unusual for homeowners to want to skip this important appointment. After all, if nothing seems to be wrong with the system, there is no reason to pay for a professional to examine it. With years of experience in furnace care, we can tell you that the benefits of an annual tune-up greatly outweigh the cost of the appointment. How Time Affects Your Furnace An area like Kansas City puts a lot of wear and tear...

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