Furnace Repair

Furnace Repair in Oak Park

Getting Furnace Problems Handled Quickly in Oak Park or Chicago

Safe Heating & Cooling is well known for providing high quality furnace repair services. Our reviews reflect the many happy customers we've made since we started in 2008Chicago, Oak Park, and Lincolnwood.

Setting up a furnace tune-up with Safe Heating & Cooling, Inc. is fast and easy. Your year-round comfort is as important to us as it is to you and your family.

Call us at (312) 858-0358 today to schedule your furnace tune-up in Oak Park.

Signs Your Furnace Has a Problem

There are times when something goes wrong in the heating process. Though this sometimes leads to an obvious problem—a complete furnace breakdown—this isn’t always the case. Much of the time, the signs you need to call a Oak Park HVAC contractor are much more subtle. To prevent big problems from snowballing into larger ones, it’s important to be on the lookout for the following:

  • Weird Smells: When you first turn your furnace on for the year, you might notice a musty smell. This is typically dust burning off that settled over the months your furnace sat idle. This will dissipate as the unit operates and isn’t anything to be concerned about. If you notice an odor that suddenly appears or refuses to go away, however, it’s time to call a Oak Park HVAC professional.
  • Odd Noises: Is your furnace banging or making some other kind of noise? This can be the result of numerous issues with the unit and is best diagnosed by a heating repair expert. Call (312) 858-0358 to schedule a furnace repair in Oak Park and Chicago .
  • More Service Calls: Every furnace in the Chicago or Oak Park area will have a part fail and need service in its life. In fact, one out of four people in the US will have an HVAC technician in their home each year. But if you’re making multiple calls in a heating season, it’s a sign you’ve been propping up a system that is aging out. Note that service calls don’t include preventative furnace maintenance visits.
  • Climbing Utility Bills: There are many reasons your electric or gas bills can rise. Cooler temperatures are an obvious reason. But, if your fuel usage suddenly increases dramatically, you probably should have our Oak Park HVAC experts take a look. This increased cost often indicates a furnace that's being pushed past its limit.
  • Visual Rust: While some amount of rust is expected with age, excessive amounts—especially on the flue—can be a sign of improper venting. If a roof or plumbing leak is causing furnace corrosion, it’s not just an eyesore. It can be dangerous. If the system rusts through to the heat exchanger, your home could be contaminated with deadly carbon monoxide. So, if you notice an issue with furnace rust, give Safe Heating & Cooling, Inc. a call.
  • Frequent Cycling: If your furnace is constantly turning on and off, there’s something stopping the unit from working properly. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to diagnose due to a variety of potential causes. To get the problem located and fixed quickly, rely on our Oak Park heating repair experts.
  • Start-Up Problems: Does your furnace not turn on when it drops below the indicated temperature on your thermostat? Are you hearing clicking noises on start-up? These issues often signal an upcoming furnace breakdown. So, if you ever notice them, reach out to Safe Heating & Cooling, Inc. by phone or form.

Fortunately, no matter the scope or size of the problem, Safe Heating & Cooling, Inc. can handle your furnace repair. Though we do most of our work in Lincolnwood, Chicago, and Oak Park, we are also well known and trusted throughout the surrounding areas.

The Top 5 Causes of Furnace Failure

It’s important that homeowners understand what parts of their furnace are most likely to fail. This can better prepare them to communicate with us about their heating problems. When fixing heating systems in Oak Park, we often find the following culprits, some of which can save you a service call:

  1. Clogged Filters: When was the last time you swapped out your furnace filter? If the answer is more than a few weeks ago, it might be time to check it, especially if you have pets. When running, your heating system pulls in dust, dander, and dirt. This is kept out of the mechanical parts by your furnace filter. A clogged filter restricts airflow, making your heating system work harder. Replacing it not only helps efficiency, but also improves air quality.
  2. Bad Thermostats: Your thermostat is responsible for signaling your furnace when to turn off and on to maintain the set temperature. If it’s not working properly, you’ll struggle to get warm. For instances where the thermostat may be at fault, make sure its batteries are good, if it uses any. Also, double-check that it is set to HEAT with the run method on AUTO.
  3. Ignition Failure: Sometimes the pilot light or surface ignitor will fail and refuse to light the burners. If this happens your furnace won’t be able to heat the air, leaving you in the cold. To prevent this, have it checked and cleaned regularly by an Oak Park-area HVAC professional. If it's the middle of winter, though, just give our Oak Park HVAC contractors a call at (312) 858-0358 instead.
  4. Exhaust Blower Issues: The furnace exhaust blower is what takes the combustion gasses out of the heat exchanger and vents it safely outdoors. If this component fails, the furnace will cycle on and off or shut down. Regular inspections and maintenance visits can prevent this from happening.
  5. Blower Motor Failure: The blower motor is essentially what keeps the air moving around your home. Should this component fail, it doesn’t matter how efficient your furnace is, the hot air won’t be distributed around your home. The blower can fail from overheating or from it becoming clogged with debris. Have your ducts cleaned and your furnace tuned up to keep the blower working effectively.
  6. Bad Heat Exchanger: The heat exchanger is one of the most important components of a conventional furnace. It is the component that safely transfers heat from the flame into heated air that is circulated in the home. When the heat exchanger develops holes or cracks, replacing it can be quite expensive. Some people prefer to simply replace their furnace. An expert evaluating your system can best advise you. If the stress on your heat exchanger is due to excess cycling due to having too large of a furnace, only replacing the heat exchanger will result in the same problem developing again.

Fortunately, we can handle all of these issues and more! Safe Heating & Cooling, Inc. is your trusted partner for furnace maintenance and repairs in Oak Park. Don't let a need for Oak Park furnace repair ruin your day. Contact us at (312) 858-0358 instead.

Trust Us with Your Furnace Problems in Oak Park or Chicago

Don't go with just any company when it comes to furnace repair in Oak Park or Lincolnwood. You may have many HVAC contractors to choose from, but not all are bonafide professionals who put your satisfaction first.

Whether your furnace needs to be repaired or replaced, look to the experts at Safe Heating & Cooling, Inc.! As our reviews reflect, many of your neighbors turn to us already! Given our 16 years of experience serving homeowners in the Oak Park area, we have the experience needed to fix your broken furnace or replace the old one. Our array of services and detailed procedures ensure we can handle everything needed to do the job right. Safe Heating & Cooling, Inc. can be counted on for exceptional products and workmanship. Don't delay—contact us today to schedule your furnace repair in Oak Park.

Frequently Asked Furnace Repair Questions

Why Isn’t My Furnace Reaching the Temperature I Set?

If your furnace in Oak Park isn’t keeping up with the thermostat, several issues could be at play. The most common is a clogged air filter that’s restricting airflow and lowering efficiency. Other potential reasons include:

  • An old or failing furnace
  • A malfunctioning thermostat
  • Blocked or closed vents
  • Problems with the pilot light or flame sensor

For expert help, contact Safe Heating & Cooling today.

When your furnace in Oak Park blows cold air, it might be due to something simple or more complex. Start by checking your thermostat to ensure it’s set to heat. If the thermostat isn’t the issue, the problem could be with the flame sensor or ductwork leaks. Our technicians can quickly diagnose and fix the problem for you.

Furnace repair costs in Oak Park vary based on the issue. Smaller problems like sensor replacements can cost as little as $100, while major repairs like heat exchanger replacements may cost thousands. Most standard repairs range between $300 and $800. Older systems tend to have more expensive issues, so regular maintenance is key.

Before contacting a professional for furnace repair in Oak Park, check these items:

  • Replace dirty air filters
  • Confirm your thermostat is set correctly
  • Ensure the pilot light is lit
  • Verify the furnace circuit breaker hasn’t tripped
  • Open any closed air vents

If these steps don’t solve the problem, call Safe Heating & Cooling for professional assistance.

If your furnace in Oak Park is making unusual noises, it’s likely due to a mechanical issue. Common causes include:

  • Dirty burners causing booming sounds
  • Cracked heat exchangers making popping noises
  • Faulty blower motors buzzing or grinding
  • Loose screws or bolts rattling during operation
  • Expanding or contracting ductwork

Ignoring these noises could lead to further damage. Contact (312) 858-0358 to schedule a repair.

Some signs it’s time to call for furnace repair in Oak Park include:

  • Persistent burning smells
  • Thermostat error codes
  • The furnace cycling on and off frequently
  • Weak airflow or no heat
  • Unusual popping or banging noises
  • A sudden increase in energy bills

Contact (312) 858-0358 to schedule a repair if you notice these issues.

Water leaking from a furnace might seem odd, but newer high-efficiency systems often create condensation. Common causes include:

  • Clogged condensation drains
  • A damaged heat exchanger
  • Faulty condensate pumps
  • Air conditioner or humidifier issues

Leaking water can damage your furnace, so call (312) 858-0358 to address the problem right away.

Older furnaces in Oak Park may have a standing pilot light that occasionally goes out. To safely relight it:

  1. Turn off the gas and wait five minutes.
  2. Adjust the gas valve to “Pilot” and press the reset button.
  3. Use a long lighter to ignite the flame.
  4. Once the light is steady, release the button and turn the valve to “On.”

If it doesn’t stay lit, contact Safe Heating & Cooling for assistance.

A cracked heat exchanger is a serious safety issue for furnaces in Oak Park. It can cause incomplete combustion, allowing carbon monoxide—a deadly gas—to leak into your home. Replacing a heat exchanger is costly, so it’s often more economical to replace the entire furnace. Our experts can assess the best option for your home.

If your furnace seems to be running endlessly, it’s likely due to a thermostat malfunction, clogged air filters, dirty flame sensors, or an obstructed flue. These issues waste energy and can overheat your system. Call (312) 858-0358 for fast diagnosis and repair.

A cheap furnace repair might seem like a good deal, but it often leads to problems like:

  • Inferior parts that fail quickly
  • Incomplete system inspections
  • Unskilled technicians
  • Pushy contractors recommending unnecessary replacements
  • No warranty on the work

Choose Safe Heating & Cooling for reliable, high-quality furnace repairs.

At Safe Heating & Cooling, we repair all major furnace brands in Oak Park, including Lennox, Carrier, Trane, and Goodman. No matter the make or model, our experienced technicians know how to diagnose and fix any issue your system might have.

Loud furnaces are often due to high fan speeds, unbalanced ductwork, or obstructions. Start by lowering the blower fan setting, if possible. If that doesn’t work, call (312) 858-0358 to adjust the system for quieter operation.

Strange smells from your furnace in Oak Park can be caused by:

  • Burning dust during startup
  • Mold or mildew in the system
  • Electrical burning from a short circuit*
  • Rotten egg smells from a gas leak*
  • Grime in the heat exchanger

If you smell gas or burning, turn off your furnace and call (312) 858-0358 immediately.

Routine maintenance is key to extending your furnace’s lifespan. Schedule annual tune-ups with Safe Heating & Cooling, replace filters regularly, and address minor issues like strange noises or thermostat problems before they worsen. Preventative care helps avoid costly repairs.

If your furnace clicks on and off repeatedly, it might be time to clean the flame sensor. Here’s how:

  • Turn off power and gas to the furnace
  • Locate the flame sensor near the burner
  • Remove the sensor and clean it with fine-grit sandpaper
  • Replace the sensor and restore power

If you’re uncomfortable doing this, call Safe Heating & Cooling for help.

While minor fixes like changing filters are fine for DIY, most furnace repairs should be left to professionals. Furnaces involve electrical, gas, and mechanical components, making them potentially hazardous. For safe and effective repairs, contact Safe Heating & Cooling.