Boehmer Heating & Cooling Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Furnace Repair’

Common Furnace Repair Needs

Monday, October 7th, 2019

It may not be chilly enough to use our heating systems on a regular basis quite yet, but soon enough colder weather will be here. The best way to make sure your heater is ready for that colder weather is to schedule maintenance before it hits. Maintenance allows our technicians to thoroughly inspect, adjust, and clean your furnace.

All of this works to lessen the chance you’ll run into a sudden breakdown. Still though, even with maintenance, it is probable that at some point, you will need furnace repairs. Some are more serious than others (more on that below) but all should be managed with the same level of care if you expect your furnace to operate effectively and efficiently all winter long this year.

Tags: Canonsburg, Furnace Repair
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A Furnace That Does This May Fail On You Soon

Monday, March 11th, 2019

This time of the year, when spring is almost here but winter temperatures are still gracing us with their presence, is a lousy time to have your heating system develop problems. It’s also the time of the year when heating system problems are most likely to happen, thanks to the stress they’ve been put under all season long. If you can detect problems in your heater early enough, though, you can have them repaired before they develop too far.

A furnace system that’s clearly showing signs of disrepair, though, that isn’t inspected, can fail you before the season is over, or never even start up next fall.

We can’t stress enough how important it is to watch for signs that something is amiss. One of the most common signs is a furnace that’s making strange noises. Keep reading to learn more about common problem noises, and what causes them.

Tags: Furnace Repair, Pittsburgh
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Don’t Underestimate This Potential Gas Furnace Hazard

Monday, December 17th, 2018

First, we want to start by saying that if you have a gas furnace warming your home each winter, it is not inherently hazardous in any way. What can make it a danger, however, is not keeping up with system maintenance once a year, and/or not following up on furnace repair needs that your system may have.

Over 64 million homes in the U.S. use natural gas for winter heat. If they did pose a basic health threat to a home, this number would not be as high. The fact of the matter is, current standards for the manufacturing of natural gas furnaces places a special emphasis on maintaining safety in operation. So, what’s up with the title of this blog post?

Tags: Cracked Heat Exchanger, Furnace Repair, Pittsburgh
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Never Ignore This One Furnace Problem

Monday, October 22nd, 2018

There are a number of reasons a homeowner may choose to invest in an electric furnace over a gas-powered system. For one, they may not even have access to their municipal’s gas line. Another reason might be that they’re worried about the safety hazards that a gas-powered system presents.

That’s not to say gas furnaces are inherently dangerous. In fact, today’s systems are built much sturdier than those of the past, and so long as you have your system professionally installed and serviced by trained professionals, you shouldn’t have much to worry about.

However, just like any other powerful appliance, gas furnaces do need routine maintenance done. And skipping this service certainly can leave you in danger—in danger of a carbon monoxide leak due to a cracked heat exchanger.

Tags: Furnace Repair, Heat Exchanger, Mt Lebanon
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Common Heating Repairs in Old Furnaces

Monday, January 29th, 2018

When a problem comes up with a newer furnace, there are a few things you can probably pin the issue on. Unfortunately, new furnaces often run into problems because they were not properly installed. Incorrect sizing or sloppy installation lead to long-term and short-term issues within the system, likely causing an early breakdown. However, most problems with a newer furnace have to do with a smaller issue, like a small wiring issue or even a dirty filter.

But older furnaces are a different story. Problems that come up with an older furnace are often the result of a long history of wear and tear on the system, and the issues can be complex. That’s why you should always contact qualified technicians when you need furnace repair!

Tags: Furnace Repair, Heating Repair, Whitehall
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How to Prevent Furnace Repair

Monday, November 6th, 2017

The furnace is a durable heating system that works well for nearly any home, as long as there is a ventilation system in place. That does not mean, of course, that your home heating system will never require repairs. A furnace is strong and efficient, but it can be finicky if you do not get your system the service it needs.

In many cases, furnace repair is entirely preventable. Other times, we show up to find a heating system broken down, when sooner repairs could have helped make the problem a lot less severe. Learn how to prevent major and minor heating repairs from our guide, and call our team when you need routine service for your gas or electric furnace.

Tags: Furnace Repair, Furnaces, Heating Repair, Whitehall
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It’s Time for Annual Heater Maintenance!

Monday, October 9th, 2017

As we transition into cooler weather, technicians tend to catch a break, as AC systems are shut off and heating systems have barely started to run. You probably won’t be able to tell if your heating system is not working correctly quite yet (unless it’s completely broken down), so we don’t expect a lot of calls for heating repair or replacement until late fall or winter, when temperatures really begin to take a dive.

You might think that we’d be excited to get some relief from emergency AC and heating calls, but the truth is that we care about your heating system, your health, and your home. We don’t want you to have to make emergency heating calls in the winter, and we definitely don’t want you to risk your health and safety by putting off service. That’s why it’s time to call in technicians for annual heating maintenance!

Tags: Furnace Repair, Heater, Heater Maintenance, Heating Maintenance, Whitehall PA
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Why Won’t My Pilot Light Stay Lit? Pittsburgh Heating Repair Tip

Monday, January 14th, 2013

There are a few different reasons why the pilot light in your Pittsburgh home may have trouble staying lit. While not all of them are particularly serious, any malfunctioning pilot light should be recognized as a potential safety hazard. If your pilot light just does not want to stay lit, we encourage you to contact the Pittsburgh heating experts at Boehmer Heating & Cooling. We have the skills, training and tools necessary to determine if your pilot light issues are just a matter of a faulty component or if there is a serious issue in your basement.

One reason that your pilot light may not stay lit is a faulty thermocouple. A thermocouple is a safety feature that gas furnaces and water heaters feature designed to stem the flow of gas to the appliance in the event that the combustion process is not safe to perform. Basically the thermocouple detects heat at the burner of your furnace. If there is not sufficient heat to keep the combustion of the fuel going safely the thermocouple will sense this and trigger the shut off of the gas supply. If your thermocouple malfunctions it may not sense sufficient heat even if it is there, causing it to shut off the flow of gas even when there is no threat to your safety.

A more serious issue that may cause your pilot light to go out frequently is a problem with the supply of gas itself. For instance, if there is a gas leak en route to your furnace there may not be enough gas coming in to keep the pilot light lit. Anytime that you are dealing with a combustible fuel like natural gas you need to be sure that it is provided in a safe, effective manner. A natural gas leak can lead to exposure to carbon monoxide, a toxic gas.

For more information on potential reasons that your pilot light will not stay lit, contact the Pittsburgh heating professionals at Boehmer Heating & Cooling. We want to make sure that you are safe in your Pittsburgh home. Let us help you heat your home and water in a safe, efficient manner. Schedule service today.

Tags: Furnace Repair, Heating, Pilot Light, Pittsburgh
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Does Your Heating System Need Repair Service? A Pittsburgh Heating Guide

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

The winters here in Pittsburgh can be brutal. We all love the occasional outing into the snow, but when it comes down to it, you really need your home to stay warm and cozy. In order to make that happen, you need your heating system to be in good working order. However, sometimes it can be difficult to tell when your heating system needs repairs.

Low Air Flow

This is a very common heating problem in Pittsburgh. Here are a few causes of low air flow.

Air filter – If you have a forced air system like a furnace or heat pump, then you likely have a filter to keep dust and dirt from building up on the moving parts inside. If this filter isn’t changed regularly, it can cause a bunch of problems.
Fan – The fan inside your air handler is responsible for pushing the heated air throughout your home. If it isn’t working right, it could result in not enough air coming out of the registers.

Insufficient Heat

This is another common problem that we get calls for service for in Pittsburgh – here are common causes of insufficient heating:

Air filter – Again, regularly changing the air filter can keep your heating system working effectively.
Thermostat – Your thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature in your home. If it isn’t working correctly, it could be telling your heating system that the home doesn’t need heat, so it doesn’t turn on when it needs to.
Dirty burner – Sometimes, the burner in your heating system can become so dirty that only a part of the burner is actually working. This can cause insufficient heat in your home as well.

No Heat

Finally, if your heating system isn’t producing any heat, here are a few reasons why this could be:

Thermostat – Like before, a faulty thermostat can cause your heating system not to turn on at all.
Pilot light and/or Thermocouple – It’s expected that your pilot light will go out occasionally. But if it starts to happen often, you may want to call a heating technician. Also, the thermocouple is a fantastic safety device for your gas-fired system. It sits next to the pilot light and detects when there is flame. If it senses that the pilot has gone out, it shuts off the flow of gas. This keeps your gas-fired heating system from filling your basement with gas fumes. If it is malfunctioning, it could be shutting off the flow of gas and keeping you from getting any heat.

If you’re experiencing any of these heating problems in your Pittsburgh home, call the heating experts at Boehmer Heating & Cooling. We have experience working on all types and brands of heating systems. We can diagnose the problem quickly and get you back up and running soon. Call us today!

Tags: Carnegie, Furnace Repair, Heating, Heating Repair, Oakmont, Pittsburgh
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Pittsburgh Heating Guide: Is Your Furnace Not Blowing Enough Air?

Monday, October 15th, 2012

Have you ever been in your Pittsburgh house in the winter, listening to the furnace churn away trying to heat the house, but noticed that the whole place is still cold? If you checked the heating vents in this situation, you would probably find that there is not much air flow coming out of them, which is why you are still freezing.

It is entirely possible for the furnace to be burning away, producing hot air, without enough of that warm air ever actually being distributed through your home. So it continues to run and run, resulting in excess wear and tear on the heating system that will probably shorten its productive life, as well as keeping your whole home too chilly.

Why does that happen? There are a several common culprits for insufficient air flow from a furnace. Below is a list of the most frequent offenders, along with solutions for each:

Cause: Dirty or broken air filter. An air filter that has accumulated too much build up or is damaged will slow down air flow in a hurry.
Solution: Clean or replace the air filter as necessary. This should be part of routine furnace maintenance in order to ensure efficient operation. Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations to see how often you should check your air filter(s).
Cause: Damaged, corroded, broken or collapsed ductwork. Your ducts are like the road that warm air travels on. If the road is out, then no one can get through. Simple as that.
Solution: Have a professional inspect and repair your ductwork. A routine ductwork check is also part of a professional’s annual maintenance inspection.
Cause: Blower fan not blowing enough. This can be caused by a loose fan belt, or a dirty motor.
Solution: First, clean the blower fan and the area around it. It has to deal with a lot of air, so it naturally becomes dirty over time. If that doesn’t fix it, the fan belt probably needs to be replaced.

There are some other causes of improper furnace air flow, but those are the most common and easiest to detect and repair. If your heat registers are not returning any warm air at all, that is likely a different problem and you should call Boehmer Heating & Cooling to look at the system right away.

Tags: Furnace, Furnace Repair, Heating, McCandless, Pittsburgh, Upper St Clair
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