When the cold months move into town, they arrive with a snap and a bite. Falling temperatures and icy, cutting winds quickly remind us how much we depend on our furnaces for seasonal comfort and safety.
Knowledge is important in making sure your furnace performs when you need it to. Here are some common causes and signs of a furnace in need of repair:
- Lack of maintenance (cause)
- Dirty filter (cause)
- Wear and tear (cause)
- Failing pilot light (sign)
- Malfunctioning thermostat (cause)
- No heat (sign)
- Insufficient heat (sign)
- Continual cycling (sign)
- Constantly running blower (sign)
- Noisy furnace (sign)
Lack of maintenance. Like any other machine, a furnace needs periodic review and attention for any developing problems or aging components. Scheduling an annual inspection and tune-up will help you avoid a heating malfunction or breakdown when you least expect it.
Dirty filter. If the air filter is dirty or clogged, it will reduce airflow and make the unit work harder to heat your home. This can strain the furnace and contribute to higher utility bills. In some cases, a clogged filter also can damage the limit switch controlling the fan.
Wear and tear. The normal attrition of time on a furnace can create issues with airflow, heat control and overheating.
Failing pilot light. A deficient pilot light can reduce the furnace’s ability to heat your home. Just a few contributors to a faulty pilot light can be drafts, clogs or thermocouple problems in the unit.
Malfunctioning thermostat. A thermostat that’s not communicating well with the heating system can lead to problems with the fan or temperature levels.
No heat. This suggests that furnace components such as the pilot light, the heat exchanger, the blower belt, or the gas or electric power supply could be compromised. Having no heat is usually a sure sign you need furnace repair.
Insufficient heat. Beyond a filter that’s dirty or clogged, a furnace may labor to heat your home if it’s the wrong size for the space it’s in. Heating/furnace repair professionals can help you determine if this is the case or if the source is something else.
Continual cycling. If you hear your furnace shutting on and off every minute or two, the unit could be “short-cycling,” as we call it. This means the furnace’s safety features are being overactivated. The issue could be with the induced draft motor (IDM), the IDM pressure switch or the flame recognition system. Here again, a heating/furnace repair professional can help you troubleshoot and resolve the root of the problem.
Constantly running blower. This may point to a faulty limit switch, which a heating/furnace repair professional can replace for you if needed.
Noisy furnace. A functioning furnace will make some noise. What you want to listen for are regular banging, rattling, humming, squeaking or popping sounds, as well as any louder-than-usual noises. These can indicate mechanical problems, airflow reductions or a clogged burner.
Choosing the Right Heating/Furnace Repair in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora and Plainfield
Now that you know some things to be aware of concerning furnace repair, the next step is consulting the right professionals for honest, accurate advice and a precise, efficient solution if you need one.
When you’re choosing a resource for heating/furnace repair, a few factors to consider include:
Experience. When you contact a professional to assist you, find out how long they have been working on furnaces for homes in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora and Plainfield. More years in the field usually means a broader understanding of the different heating systems in your area. Usually you’ll want to work with someone who has been at least seven to 10 years on the job.
Referrals and online reviews. Third-party feedback can be helpful. You might start with some online searches of reviews on a heating/furnace repair business. If you would like to reinforce those comments, you also can request customer referrals from the company you’re considering. A reputable business will be ready to provide them for you. You might ask for three to five referrals.
License. You might not always know if the business working on your furnace has the correct training and licensing to perform the repair. If you wish, you can ask the heating/furnace repair business to supply you with this information before you hire them. That would include their license number.
Insurance. A heating/furnace company’s insurance policy will protect your heating unit should something happen to it during a repair. If the service provider does not have insurance, you could be liable for the repair charge as well as any damage to the equipment. In some cases you could also be held liable for personal injury during a repair if the company does not have its own coverage.
Contact Us for Your Solution in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora or Plainfield
As experts in heating/furnace repair for your area, we offer you:
- thorough and clear education about your specific heating unit
- same-day service
- affordable payment options
- a five-year labor warranty for many repairs
- a special maintenance program with exclusive member benefits for optimal furnace performance
When your system appears to be not functioning properly, don’t wait to fix it. Contact us at (630) 731-1550 or e-mail us to further discuss our heating and furnace repair for Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora and Plainfield.
