Furnace & Boiler Repair

The life of a heating and cooling system is determined by many factors — the most important being regular maintenance. A well-maintained system will generally last its full design life, though that varies by equipment type and operating conditions. If you have a split system that is over 10 years old and one section fails, it's generally wiser to replace both the indoor and outdoor units at the same time rather than just the failed component — it's more cost-effective in the long run and avoids the efficiency and compatibility issues that come with mismatched equipment. If you do replace only one section, make sure the new component is matched by model and make to the existing unit — a mismatch will not work correctly.

A system that won't run can have several causes — from a tripped circuit breaker to a failed component inside the equipment. If your system has stopped running unexpectedly, it's worth having a licensed technician evaluate it to identify the actual cause and get it running correctly.

The decision to repair or replace a heating and cooling system depends on several factors — the age of the equipment, its overall condition, how efficiently it's running, and how much longer you plan to stay in your home. A system that's more than ten years old, has needed multiple repairs, or is driving noticeably high energy bills is often a better candidate for replacement than continued repair. A licensed HVAC technician can give you an honest assessment of where your system stands and what makes the most sense for your situation.

Air trapped in a hydronic system can prevent radiators from heating properly. Bleeding — the process of releasing that trapped air — is a relatively simple procedure but one that's best handled by a licensed technician who can also check the system's overall pressure and condition at the same time. If you need to bleed radiators frequently, it may indicate a larger issue with the system worth investigating.

Banging or knocking sounds from a radiator are most commonly caused by trapped air or water hammer — a pressure surge that occurs when steam or hot water moves through the system. In steam systems, banging often indicates a pitch problem with the pipes or a failed steam trap. In hot water systems it may indicate air in the lines. These sounds are worth addressing — they often point to issues that affect system performance and can cause component wear over time.

Some of the clearest signs that a furnace may be approaching the end of its useful life include: it has needed multiple repairs in recent seasons, heating bills have increased without a change in usage, some rooms are noticeably harder to heat than others, or the system is making unusual sounds. Age is also a factor — an older system showing any of these symptoms is a stronger candidate for replacement than a newer one with the same issues. A licensed HVAC technician can give you an honest assessment of where your system stands.

A gas smell near any appliance or equipment is a serious safety concern. Leave the home immediately without using light switches, phones, or anything that could create a spark. Once outside, call your gas utility's emergency line and 911. Do not re-enter the home until it has been inspected and cleared by the appropriate authorities.

Yes — carbon monoxide is a serious safety concern in any home with gas, oil, or other fuel-burning appliances. When combustion isn't complete, carbon monoxide enters the air — and because it's odorless and colorless, it's impossible to detect without a working CO detector. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advises that carbon monoxide detectors are the only reliable way to alert you to its presence. If you or a family member experiences unexplained headaches or difficulty waking, treat it as a potential emergency and seek medical care immediately. Annual maintenance of combustion heating equipment is an important part of keeping your system operating safely.

An old furnace can be very dangerous. All furnaces have a major component called a heat exchanger. A heat exchanger consists of a series of closed chambers that are heated with gas or oil burners. As the heat exchanger is heated the metal it is constructed from expands and as it cools it contracts. If you can imagine a paper clip that is being bent back and forth, it will eventually break. The same goes with a heat exchanger. After years of expanding and contracting it will eventually crack. When this happens, deadly carbon monoxide gas (which is normally vented through the flue) can get into your home. A furnace’s heat exchanger should be inspected every year before the heating season.

No — replacing only the outdoor unit on an older system will sacrifice comfort and reduce the overall efficiency of the system. Mismatched components can also cause the new equipment to fail sooner than expected, and most manufacturers' warranties require matched systems. Replacing the complete system is almost always the better investment.