My Furnace Was “Red Tagged”: What It Means and How to Get Heat Back

Quick Answer

When a furnace is red tagged, a licensed professional has found a hazardous condition—usually a carbon-monoxide risk, gas leak, or fire danger—and must shut the system down until it’s repaired. Heat can be restored once the hazard is corrected and the furnace passes a safety re-inspection.

Why Your Furnace Was Red Tagged—and Why It Feels Overwhelming

A red tag can be stressful, especially during cold months. It often catches homeowners off guard, and most aren’t sure why their heat was shut off or what to do next.

If your furnace was red tagged in Steubenville, Wintersville, Weirton, Toronto, Mingo Junction, Brilliant, Follansbee, Wellsburg, New Cumberland, or Colliers, you’re not alone. Many families in our region experience this each winter and need clear answers—without pressure or confusing explanations.

With more than 20 years of experience and advanced NATE certification, I’ve inspected hundreds of red-tagged furnaces across the Upper Ohio Valley. Some were urgent safety issues. Others were simple fixes that looked worse than they were. Knowing the difference is the key to getting your heat back safely.

What a Furnace Red Tag Means

A red tag means your furnace has a condition that makes it unsafe to run. Red tags are issued by licensed HVAC technicians or gas utilities, and they are required when a furnace could pose danger to people inside the home.

Type A — Immediate Hazard

The furnace must be shut down immediately. This is common when there is:

• A gas leak
• A cracked heat exchanger
• High carbon-monoxide levels
• Burnt wiring
• A blocked or failed venting system

Type B — Repair Required

You may have a certain number of days to correct the issue before the utility shuts the furnace off. This is used when the problem is serious but not immediately life-threatening.

Red tags are meant to keep your home safe—not to force you into unnecessary repairs.

Most Common Problems That Lead to Red Tags

Knowing the common causes helps you understand what went wrong and how serious the situation might be.

Cracked Heat Exchanger

This is one of the most common and dangerous issues. A crack can allow carbon monoxide into the home’s air.

Gas Leaks

Even small leaks must be corrected before the furnace can operate again.

Unsafe or Blocked Venting

If the furnace can’t vent exhaust safely, the system must be shut off.

Burnt or Overheated Wiring

These issues create fire risks and require immediate attention.

Improper Combustion or High CO Output

If combustion readings fail safety tests, the furnace can’t run until corrected.

These problems are especially common in older basements, tight mechanical rooms, and aging systems across the Ohio Valley.

How to Get Heat Back After a Red Tag

A red tag doesn’t mean you’re stuck. There is a clear path to restoring safe heat.

1. Get a Second Opinion
   A second opinion helps confirm that the red tag was correct and that no steps are being missed or exaggerated.
2. Verify the Exact Hazard
   A professional should document the problem with photos or video so you can see exactly what’s wrong.
3. Complete the Required Repair or Replacement
   Depending on the issue, repairs may include:
• Gas-valve or piping correction
• Wiring or sensor repair
• Venting fixes
• Heat-exchanger replacement
• Full furnace replacement if the system is old or unsafe
4. Pass Utility Clearance
   Your utility may require documentation or a follow-up inspection before the furnace is turned back on.
5. Restore Heat Safely
   Once the system passes inspection, it can be legally and safely reactivated.

How Much It Costs to Fix a Red-Tagged Furnace

Furnace Installation Costs (Installed):

• Good: $4,200–$4,600
• Better: $5,400–$6,050
• Best: $5,700–$7,175

Typical Repair Ranges:

• Small corrections: $200–$650
• Wiring or gas-valve repairs: $400–$950
• Heat-exchanger replacement: $1,500–$4,000

A heat-exchanger replacement often approaches the cost of a new system when factoring in labor and age.

Financing Options Available:

• 0% for 18 months
• 9.99% for 78 or 132 months
• Service repair financing: 0% for 12 months

These options help families across all 10 cities restore heat quickly without delaying essential work.

Repair or Replace? A Simple Guide

Repair Makes Sense If:

• Your furnace is under 10 years old
• The problem is minor
• There is no heat-exchanger crack

Replacement Is the Better Choice If:

• Your furnace is 12–20+ years old
• A heat exchanger is cracked
• Replacement parts are discontinued
• Repair costs are half or more of a new furnace

Homeowners across Wintersville, Toronto, Mingo Junction, and Follansbee often choose replacement when long-term reliability or safety is a concern.

What to Avoid After a Red Tag

Avoiding these steps helps protect your safety and prevents repair delays:

• Do not turn the furnace back on yourself.
• Do not accept a diagnosis without proof.
• Do not skip the utility re-inspection.
• Do not let anyone pressure you into a quick decision.

The Guarantees That Protect You

Service Trust Guardian (for repairs)

• 5-year labor warranty
• 60-day satisfaction support
• No-overtime guarantee
• Clean-work-area guarantee
• On-time arrival credit

Lifetime Trust Shield (for new installations)

• 15-year labor warranty
• 90-day money-back protection
• No-lemon policy
• Energy-savings guarantee
• Price-match guarantee

These guarantees are designed to protect families across the Ohio Valley and reflect Honest Fix’s commitment to transparency, skill, and long-term safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a second opinion?
Yes. We provide second opinions every day across all 10 cities.

Does a red tag always mean carbon monoxide was found?
Not always. It means a condition exists that could cause CO or another hazard.

Can a cracked heat exchanger be repaired?
No. It must be replaced—or the furnace replaced—before the system is safe to operate.

Can Honest Fix handle utility clearance?
Yes. We handle the re-inspection process and provide all required documentation.

Your Next Step to Get Heat Back

If your furnace was red tagged in Steubenville, Wintersville, Weirton, Toronto, Mingo Junction, Brilliant, Follansbee, Wellsburg, New Cumberland, or Colliers, we can help you verify the issue, fix it correctly, and restore heat safely.

Call Honest Fix today for a free exact quote. Learn about our guarantees before you decide.