Furnace Repair: When to Tinker, When to Call a Pro

Furnace problems you can check yourself:

• Check the power switch or the stair switch. Also check for oil in your tank if your system uses oil. These small checks could avoid a service call for a furnace repair that is really within your control.
• On an oil fired boiler or furnace, the burner reset should only be pressed once. A dangerous build up of fuel can result if it is pushed more than once and the ignition fails to light it when it should.
• Check the furnace filter and change it, if necessary.  During winter, change it once a month. Change filters every three months during the rest of the year.
• If your furnace has a fan belt, check it for wear and cracks and schedule a service call to replace it, if necessary.  You should be able to press on it and feel it give about a half-inch. If your unfamiliar with how to do this safely call a professional.

Furnace repair issues that require a professional:

• If your pilot light is burning yellow or orange, it may be a combustion issue and should be addressed urgently as it could cause carbon monoxide buildup.
• Many gas furnaces made in the last ten years utilize an electronic ignition. The failure of the equipment to light or produce combustion could be related to the failure of a safety control which prevents the equipment from lighting. Often there is a series of blinking lights that will indicate what has failed. Call a professional when a furnace repair is needed. Oil and Gas and the proper combustion of these fuels is critical to life safety and the proper operation of the equipment.
• When more than one push of the reset button is needed and the burner fails to light; call a professional for a furnace repair.
• If a carbon monoxide detector in the room where your furnace is located goes off, go outside for fresh air and call a professional. The furnace repair could prevent a disaster.
• If your furnace still makes strange noises after cleaning the filter and checking the fan belt, it could be the symptom of a larger issue. Call Rodenhiser for a furnace repair.

Rodenhiser has been doing furnace repairs in Metro-West area of Massachusetts for more than 80 years, so you know you can trust our expertise when it comes to maintaining your heating system.  If you're not sure what to do about a furnace issue, call us for guidance or service. We're happy to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about furnace repair and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.

Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning serves the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.