Quick, Dependable Furnace Repair in Downers Grove
We’ve been there. You turn on your furnace, and notice something isn’t quite right. That’s never an experience a homeowner wants to deal with. Fortunately, our team at Fire 'n' Ice Heating & Cooling, Inc. makes scheduling a furnace repair in Downers Grove a painless experience.
Oftentimes, you’ll notice an issue like a new noise coming from your furnace and still have hot air coming from the vents. It can be tempting to ignore the issue if things still work, but we encourage you to call our crew at the first signs that something isn’t quite right. If nothing is really wrong or a minor adjustment needs to be made, we’ll let you know! The downside to waiting and hoping the problem goes away on its own is that it will likely get worse.
Make sure to call a professional if you’re experiencing any of the following with your furnace issues:
- Your heating system is not producing heat
- Your furnace is blowing cold air
- You have uneven home heating
- Your heating system is making unusual noises
- Your heating system does not cycle off
If there is a mechanical failure, more damage will likely occur to your heater over time, and operating costs for your system will start to rise due to poor efficiency. We want to help you avoid this dilemma! Whether it’s a simple fix or a need for some more detailed work, we’re always upfront and honest about our recommendation. You won’t get any sales pitch from our technicians, but rather courteous service suggestions to help you make a decision you’ll feel confident is the right one for you and your home.
Furnace Short Cycling: Common Causes and Solutions
Clogged Exhaust Vents
The exhaust vents in a gas furnace play a crucial role in expelling harmful carbon monoxide gas. When blocked, either by debris like birds, spiders, ice, bugs, or animals, the furnace can overheat and short cycle. If your furnace is running cycles of 5 minutes or less, inspect the exhaust pipe for blockages to ensure the safety of your home.
Broken Flame Sensor
Gas furnaces are equipped with a flame sensor that monitors the gas valve and flames. A malfunctioning sensor can lead to overheating and gas leaks, causing short cycling. If your furnace cycles every 10 minutes, it may indicate a broken flame sensor. Reach out to our technicians for assistance in resolving this short cycling issue.
Closed Vents
Furnaces overheating and deactivating every 3 to 5 minutes may be a result of closed vents. When warm air gets trapped due to closed vents, the furnace can’t effectively circulate excess heat, leading to overheating. To prevent this, ensure all vents in every room are open to allow proper airflow.
Contaminated Air Filter
A clogged air filter obstructs the flow of cold air to the gas burners, causing the furnace to overheat. If your furnace cycles every 5 minutes, a dirty air filter may be the culprit. Replace the air filter to restore proper airflow and prevent damage to furnace components.
Advantages of Gas and Electric Furnaces
Gas Furnace Benefits
- Minimal Noise: Gas furnaces produce minimal noise during heating cycles, providing a quieter environment.
- Low Operating Cost: Natural gas costs are lower than electricity in many areas, resulting in significant monthly utility bill savings.
- Increased Home Value: Adding a gas furnace can enhance the value of your property, appealing to potential buyers in the real estate market.
Electric Furnace Benefits
- Efficiency: Electric furnaces do not use natural gas, eliminating the risk of carbon monoxide leaks and providing a safer operation without flames.
- Life Cycle: Electric furnaces have a longer life cycle (20 years or more) compared to gas furnaces (10 to 15 years) due to fewer parts and components.
- Availability of Energy: Electric furnaces are suitable for areas without access to oil or natural gas, ensuring widespread availability.
- Cost: While gas furnaces may have a higher upfront cost, electric furnaces offer cost-effective installation and operation.
Consider these factors when choosing between gas and electric furnaces based on your specific needs and preferences.
Top-Rated Heating Repair Service
We strive to be the best in the business in Northeast Illinois. We know that the experience of scheduling a heating service can be a real pain. Not with Fire 'n' Ice Heating & Cooling, Inc.! Our team strives to make your Downers Grove heating repair experience as easy as possible. From 24/7 emergency availability to friendly customer service and fast response times, we tailor our service to earn your total satisfaction.