Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Furnace Repair’

Heed These Signs of a Furnace in Disrepair

Monday, December 27th, 2021
technician-working-on-furnace

As an Illinois homeowner, the last thing you should have to worry about is a heating system that is going to break down at any second. Fortunately, if you’ve kept up on your annual furnace maintenance appointments with a trained and experienced professional, you won’t need to worry about this. Also, if you know the signs to watch out for that your furnace is, in fact, in disrepair, you can keep the system in good shape.

Oh, what’s that? You don’t know what signs to watch out for? Well, then you’ve come across the right blog post!

Before we continue though, we want to mention the “M” word again. That’s right, maintenance. Whether you have a gas-powered furnace or an electric one in place, you should have professional tune-ups done every year. This helps your heater work as effectively and efficiently as possible throughout its entire lifespan and can help you avoid the majority of surprise repair needs that ill-maintained furnaces face.

Still, though, it’s good to know those aforementioned signs. So, read on!

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Don’t Ignore These End-of-Season Furnace Noises

Monday, May 3rd, 2021
woman-holding-hand-to-ear-to-listen

It’s the end of the heating season, and you’re probably just about ready to shut your furnace down in favor of your cooling system, right? Before you do that though, it’s important to make sure you address any heating repair needs you might have, so that you don’t find yourself with an inefficient or even completely broken down furnace next fall when you need the system again.

One of the most apparent signs that something is amiss with your furnace is loud, unfamiliar noises. Now, your furnace is always going to make some noise. You’re probably even used to the standard sounds you hear from it… like the whir of the motor starting up for the blower fan or the whoosh of the air coming through the vents.

However, you know the typical noises you hear on a daily basis better than anyone. So if your furnace starts making unfamiliar or loud noises, it’s time to give our team a call for repairs. Read on as we uncover some of the most common signs we get called for and what they might mean.

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Is It Ever Too Late for a Furnace Tune-Up?

Monday, December 28th, 2020
woman-huddled-under-blanket-drinking-from-mug

There is one scenario where it would be too late for a furnace tune-up, and that’s if your heating system is completely broken down to a point that it’s beyond repair. We are going to assume that if you’ve come across this blog post, that is hopefully not the case for you! If you’ve made it to winter without having your heater maintained yet, it’s not too late.

True, we typically recommend this service in the fall. The reason for this is because it’s before you need your system the most. Maintenance allows our technicians to make sure it’s in the best shape possible for the cooler season. But what matters more than timing is consistency. So long as you’re having your furnace tuned-up once a year, you’ll be able to keep it in good shape throughout its service life. Read on as we uncover why consistent professional maintenance is so important.

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The Problem with a Cracked Heat Exchanger

Monday, October 19th, 2020
furnace-burners

Did you know that over 64 million homes in the United States are equipped with natural gas-powered heaters? Most of these homes use a furnace for heat, and Chicagoland residents make up a considerable handful of these households. It’s no surprise that gas-powered furnaces remain the leading choice for winter comfort around here—they deliver powerful heat and do it quickly without draining your household budget.

There are, however, risks to using a gas-powered heating system of any kind if you don’t care for that system properly. Sure, they’re constructed to be safe, and have safety features that force them to shut down if the unit overheats or whatnot. However, there are hazards to be aware of, and one potential is a cracked heat exchanger. Read on as we uncover why this is a problem and what to do about it.

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How to Tell an Experienced HVAC Pro from an Amateur

Monday, February 24th, 2020
technician-in-front-of-van

It’s easy for someone to call themselves a “heating professional” or “HVAC expert,” but how can you find someone who will make promises they can guarantee about the services they offer? Whether you need a new heating system installed, need your AC repaired, or want to know how to improve your indoor air quality, you need someone with experience and training to turn to.

We’ve provided some basic guidelines to think about when deciding to work with any HVAC professional. Read on, and if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our team!

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Don’t Let a Cracked Heat Exchanger Haunt You This Fall

Monday, October 21st, 2019
jets-of-a-furnace

Do you use a gas-powered furnace in your home? Well, then there is one safety risk that is essential you know. This isn’t to say that that gas furnaces are inherently dangerous—they’re not! But there is a component within it that can be dangerous if you ignore it for too long, and that’s its heat exchanger.

Like most powerful appliances or any type of equipment that creates combustion gases, a furnace can potentially create health hazards if it’s not regularly maintained, or repaired as soon as symptoms of a malfunction appear.

Cracked heat exchangers aren’t a problem that typically afflicts new furnaces—old gas-powered heaters are more prone to such a problem. When we say old, we mean about 10-15 years—this is the average lifespan for a well-maintained furnace.  

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It’s That Time of Year: Have you Scheduled Your Furnace Tune-Up?

Monday, October 7th, 2019
technician-working-on-furnace

It’s October! That means it’s time for pumpkin spice latte’s, planning your kids’ Halloween costumes (or your own), and enjoying fall activities like prepping your furnace for the heating season!

Wait, what’s that? Did you forget about that last one? Don’t you worry, it’s not too late to schedule this service. In fact, now is the perfect time to schedule a furnace tune-up, also known as furnace maintenance. After all, the best time for this service is before the consistent cold weather hits.

During maintenance, our technicians thoroughly inspect your furnace, checking for cleanliness, any parts that need adjusting, and any repair needs that exist. This benefits you in a number of ways, including:

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As the Weather Warms, Take Care of Furnace Repair Needs

Monday, March 25th, 2019

technician-looking-over-furnaceIt may still be plenty cold enough for now to use our heating systems on a regular basis, but soon enough the temperatures will rise and you’ll be ready to use your air conditioner again. As a result, you might be tempted to put off any furnace care you may need or suspect.

Of all the heating services you should never neglect, a late-season furnace repair is at the top of the list. Ignoring your heating system when it needs work done on it can have costly and inconvenient consequences—and may even threaten your safety.

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Midwinter Furnace Woes to Watch Out For

Monday, December 31st, 2018

HVAC Return Air Wall Register VentWinter has just begun, but chances are you’re using your furnace every day. And of all the appliance repair needs you might have in your home throughout the course of a year, few are more concerning or frustrating than a broken down furnace in the middle of winter. After all, when you live where we do, a fully effective and efficient heater isn’t just a luxury, it’s a vital necessity.

Of course, the best way to prevent any surprise furnace repair in Northbrook, IL, the first step is to schedule routine maintenance in the fall. Haven’t scheduled your tune-up yet? Don’t worry, it’s not too late! Yes, it’s most convenient for you to schedule it in the fall, but it’s actually more important that you have it done consistently—once a year to be exact. Next, you’ll want to make sure that any repair needs that you’re alerted to during maintenance are addressed right away. Otherwise, you may find yourself facing one of the two following midwinter furnace woes:

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Noises That Your Furnace Shouldn’t Be Making

Monday, December 3rd, 2018

woman covering her ears, on a white backgroundSure, it can be easy to ignore some of the noises that the systems and appliances in your home make. We often deny that something might be wrong because fixing it can be a nuisance. However, certain noises should not be ignored. While a rattle, for instance could simply indicate a loose panel, it could also suggest a cracked heat exchanger, which could lead to a carbon monoxide leak.

Here at Shavitz, we know just how important it is to protect yourself and your family. If you are hearing some suspicious noises, don’t hesitate to schedule a visit with one of our technicians. Below, we have listed some sounds your furnace definitely should not be making.

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