Furnaces

It’s the dead of winter. You’re reliant on your heating system. If it were to stop working, you would find yourself in a world of hurt. 

So, how can you ensure that it doesn’t stop working? Are there signs that you can look out for to determine whether an emergency heating repair is needed? The answer is yes, and we’re going to discuss those signs below. 

1. Your Heating System Is Making Unusual Noises

A sure sign that you need emergency heating repair is that your heating system is making unusual noises. If this is happening, it almost certainly indicates an impairment in one of the system’s components. We’ll discuss some of the more common noises now. 

Banging Noises

Banging noises in a furnace are often indicative of clogged gas burners. These burners are not releasing gas in a timely manner, causing it to build up within the combustion chamber, and resulting in a loud, sudden banging noise. 

This is not a problem you should try to fix yourself. If you’re experiencing it, call in a furnace repair technician. 

Squealing Noises

Hearing squealing noises from your furnace? If so, you’re probably dealing with a loose or damaged belt. If this isn’t replaced, your furnace could very well shut down within the coming weeks or months. 

Rattling Noises

Rattling noises can indicate any number of problems in a heating system. Generally speaking, these noises indicate that something is loose. So, if you hear rattling noises from your furnace, bring in a heating repair specialist and have them assess the unit; they’re sure to find out what the problem is. 

Scraping Noises

Scraping noises can indicate a number of different things. These include everything from worn-down ball bearings to a loose blower wheel and more. To determine the specifics of the sound, call up a local repair technician and have them assess the unit. 

2. Your Carbon Monoxide Alarm Is Going Off

If you have a gas heating unit in your home, you should also have carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home. Why? Because, in certain situations, gas furnaces will release carbon monoxide, creating a toxic and potentially deadly environment. 

In short, if your carbon monoxide alarm is going off, there is likely something wrong with your heater, which could lead to your system being red-tagged. Yes, there could be carbon monoxide coming from other sources. However, the gas furnace is the most likely culprit. 

If this happens to you, get out of your house immediately. Then, call 911. Once the authorities arrive, they will deal with the issue of the leaking carbon monoxide. 

After that, you should call up an emergency heating repair company. They’ll inspect your heating system and determine the source of the carbon monoxide leak. They’ll then fix the issue, ensuring that your heating system runs as intended. 

3. Your Heating System Is Short Cycling

One of the most common heat issues is the heating issue of short cycling. This is when the furnace runs for a few seconds, turns off for a few seconds, and then repeats that process in perpetuity. While it might not necessarily impair the unit’s ability to create adequate heat, it’s still bad for the unit, and should be tended to. 

See, short cycling causes two problems: 1. it puts unnecessary wear and tear on the unit, causing it to die before its time, and 2. it causes the unit to use more energy than it would otherwise, resulting in higher energy bills. Both problems result in a loss of money. 

What causes short cycling? In some cases, it occurs due to an improperly sized unit. In other cases, it’s a result of dirty sensors or a malfunctioning thermostat. 

Regardless, if you’re experiencing this problem, you need to call up your local heating repair technician. They’ll determine the problem’s source and then take all necessary action in order to fix it. 

4. Your Energy Bills Are More Expensive Than Usual

You have a general idea as to how expensive your energy bills are. Unfortunately, over the past few months, they seem to have spiked. Why might this be?

While it could come as a result of a number of factors, odds are, it has to do with your HVAC system. And if it’s cold season, chances are that your heating system is to blame. 

There are a number of issues that could force your heating system to use more energy than is typical. There could be a broken component in your heating system; there could be something wrong with your thermostat, causing your heating system to run constantly; there could even be excess amounts of dust in your ducts. 

Regardless, you need to have this problem assessed by a professional. They’ll find the source of the issue and make all necessary repairs. 

5. You’re Not Receiving Hot Air

The surest sign that you need emergency heating services is that you’re not receiving hot air from your furnace. After all, that’s the entire point of a furnace: to warm up your home.

Now, what might be causing this problem? It could be a number of things, from a damaged motor to a faulty thermostat to dirty air ducts and more. The only way to know for sure is to have a professional HVAC repair technician inspect your heating system.

An Emergency Heating Repair Can Save the Day

The last thing you need in the middle of winter is for your heating system to stop working. That’s why you need to keep an eye on these signs. In doing so, you ensure that your system is running correctly and also alert yourself as to whether heating repair services are necessary. 

Check out our HVAC Glossary for definitions to common terms you’ll encounter when getting HVAC repair services, or browse our other helpful guides and articles.

No matter what time of year it is in Toronto, you know that a functioning HVAC is critical. More than global warming, climate change in the city has seen record-breaking low temperatures in early spring. This year, Toronto witnessed the lowest temperature in over 150 years. 

With the instability of weather patterns, heating issues need addressing in a hurry. Yet, the cost of heating repair in Toronto can fluctuate like the weather if you are not careful. 

So if you want to know how to repair your heater without costing more than it should, keep reading. Find out the cost of furnace repair in Toronto with this helpful guide.

What Causes the Need for Heating Repair

There are basic rates for heating repair, but the cost depends on the severity of the gas furnace issues. In many cases, dirt is the enemy that creates heating issues. If you haven’t had regular maintenance or cleaned the furnace recently, debris build-up can cause damage over time. 

Blowers and air filtration systems rely on clean operation to maintain efficiency. So if you notice your heating costs are unusually high, dirt might be causing the gas furnace issues. It’s critical to check these heating issues before problems worsen due to excess debris.

To avoid the high cost of heating repair, it’s worth investing in a regular maintenance schedule. Regular maintenance can prevent costly repairs. Scheduled cleaning can keep your furnace running at peak efficiency longer.

The age of your furnace might be a determining factor in heating repair costs. But if you know your furnace needs replacing, there is plenty of help available for finding a reputable installer. 

Types of Gas Furnace Issues

Among other common heating issues, sensors and thermostats get quickly addressed by trained professionals. Control boards can malfunction and need new parts. You will know if there are part malfunctions when your furnace does not react the way you expect sometimes.

If the furnace does not respond to thermostat changes or blows cold and shuts off quickly, it’s time to call an expert. These kinds of gas furnace issues might prevent your system from running, but a simple call will get help on the way. 

Of course, other heating issues arise from different heating sources. Whether you need heating repair for gas, electric, or oil, it’s best to leave the diagnostics to a professional. 

The heating issues might be nothing more than faulty wiring or a blown fuse. Yet, replacing parts without training can lead to more significant issues. Often, a heating repair visit will only cost minimal labour and inexpensive parts.

The Cost of Heating Repair

On average, gas heating repair in Toronto can range from $75 to $150 per hour for service calls. Several factors affect the hourly rate between companies. Several repair services charge for service calls based on the season. 

Summer and winter are times when repair services are in higher demand. You may save on the service cost if your heating issues occur during spring or fall. Still, the cost of furnace repair may depend on the parts required. 

Many minor service calls cost less than $300 to complete, including the hourly rate for visiting. Some of these heating issues include thermostats and ignitors. A burner or gas valve may cost up to $470 to repair. 

Circuit boards and blower fans are a little more expensive, up to $650. And if your gas furnace issues involve a motor or heat exchanger, the heating repair may cost as much as $2400. Considering the possible cost of extensive repairs, an annual inspection cost of $150 to $300 is a good investment to keep your investment in top condition. 

Before considering a heating repair on an older unit, weigh the cost of a new furnace first. If your furnace is over ten years old and you are having heating issues, the cost of furnace repair might be almost as much as a new unit. If the cost is less than 50% of getting a new furnace, you might consider heating repair first.

What to Look For in Repair Service

There are plenty of choices for gas furnace repair in Toronto, a city this size. Several criteria to look for will make your decision easier. First, your repair company must have proper certification and licences to work on your heating repair. 

Other factors to consider are the company’s experience in the community, its track record and its reputation. The best repair services will always be transparent with their pricing quotes, and they will carry suitable insurance.

You might also consider the company’s experience with your furnace manufacturer. Not all furnace repair services might be familiar with your brand of HVAC unit. Of course, you will also want to get fair pricing and a scheduled visit to meet your needs. 

It’s essential to be realistic about your expectations when you experience gas furnace issues. Some heating issues will cost more to repair because of parts or the time it takes to complete the furnace repair. At least, when you choose the best service for your needs and your budget, you will get someone that knows how to repair your heater without complications.

Gas Furnace Repair In Toronto

Diagnosing your heating issues and finding the best repair service to do the job might seem like a daunting task. Gas furnace repair in Toronto has a lot of competition. Choosing the appropriate heating repair for you doesn’t have to be challenging. 

There is a place where you can find pricing guides and reviews for heating repair companies in Toronto. We’ll even show you what to expect when the service call occurs. 

All the resources you need to make an educated decision are at your fingertips here. Get professional HVAC service from Certified local experts!

So you hear a loud screeching noise from your basement and you immediately think, “oh great, that doesn’t sound good and what is this going to cost me?”. Unless you’re keeping a bat horde in your basement, the noise is probably from your furnace.

Furnace noises indicate that something is wrong with your furnace, and it’s due for repairs. You can choose to ignore these noises, but doing so will work to your detriment. Your best bet is to find the source of the noise and solve the problem once and for all.

This post highlights some of the common causes of a noisy furnace. We also show you how to take care of these noises and keep your furnace in good shape.

Scraping Sounds

Scraping sounds from your furnace indicate that its ball bearings may have worn out. You could also have a loose blower wheel in your HVAC. 

Don’t make the mistake of trying to fix this on your own. These are super sensitive parts of the furnace, and you could worsen the situation. The best thing to do is to turn it off and contact a professional HVAC service ASAP.

Rumbling Noises

Incessant rumbling sounds signify that you have one or two loose parts. If you don’t address the issue immediately, these loose parts may come off completely. Once they do, they can interfere with the normal functioning of other parts of your furnace.

You’ll need to contact HVAC pros so they can get to the root of the problem. They’ll inspect the heat exchanger, blower motor, and gas burner. From there, they can tell you whether they can secure the loose parts or whether you need to replace them.

Banging Sounds

Banging sounds from your furnace can certainly be alarming. Instead, it might be a delay in your ignition that causes a mini-explosion, producing that loud bang. 

Gas continues to build up in the combustion chamber while the ignition delays. When the ignition finally comes on, all the gas will light up at once, leading to the bang. Delays in the ignition are primarily because of a clog or problems with the gas chamber.

We highly advise against fixing the ignition and combustion chamber by yourself. One wrong move could result in huge gas leakage, a recipe for disaster. To be on the safe side, call a professional HVAC service to help you handle the situation.

Whistling Sounds

Whistling sounds aren’t that bad, but they’re annoying nonetheless. An incessant whistling sound means there’s something restricting airflow in your filter. If you don’t change your filter frequently enough, dust and debris will clog the filter, leading to this whistling sound.

To solve this problem, consider swapping your filters for new ones. Ensure you change your filter every three months for the most significant effect. Remember, a filter that stays too long compromises your home’s air quality.

That said, you might want to check out our air filter buying guide if you’re looking to have pristine air quality in your home.

Humming Sound

Is your furnace making a humming noise that doesn’t seem to stop? Most homeowners ignore a furnace making a buzzing noise, assuming it will go away on its own. Of course, this only exacerbates the issue, and they eventually have to pay through the nose for repairs.

Humming noises are a sign that something could be wrong with your blower motor or capacitor. Furnace blower motor noise is nothing to smile about and deserves your attention ASAP. Contact your local HVAC repairman to help alleviate the issue before things get out of hand.

Shrieking Noises

Shrieking noises are hands down one of the scariest noises that could come from your furnace. This high-pitched sound almost feels like the furnace is screaming for your attention, and it is. This is another problem with the blower motor, and it likely has a worn or damaged belt.

If you hear even the slightest hint of a shrieking noise from your furnace, contact HVAC professionals ASAP. If you can catch the problem early enough, you may be able to solve it before it worsens. Shrug it off, and you may have to get another belt for your blower motor.

Popping Noises

The popping noises from your furnace almost sound benign, but they’re not. If your furnace is making a noise like this, it is most likely because your air ducts are expanding. 

The blower motor will disperse warm air into the air ducts when the air cycle starts. The metal forming the air ducts expands to accommodate the warm air from the blower fan, causing a popping sound. Alternatively, the sound may be a result of contamination in the burner.

The older your furnace gets, the more sediment collects on your burner. That’s why you must arrange to remove this debris from your burner every year. Failure to do so can result in improper combustion and may lead to damaging your heat exchanger, which would probably mean replacing the furnace.

Squealing

It’s normal for your furnace to make a tiny squeal when you turn it on. This is nothing to worry about unless this squeal turns into a screech. If it’s a screech, consider lubricating your ball bearings and calling an expert to check out the blower motor.

Clicking

Don’t panic when there’s a clicking sound whenever you turn the furnace on and off. However, if the noise persists, you might have an issue with the relay.

It’s worth noting that not all issues with your furnace make noise. In fact, some of the most severe furnace issues are dead silent. Arrange for professional furnace maintenance regularly to keep your furnace in tip-top shape.

Furnace Noises? Let the Pros Take Care of Them

The next time you hear furnace noises, don’t panic. These are just minor issues with your furnace that an HVAC professional can solve in a flash. However, if these furnace sounds don’t stop, you might have to replace your furnace entirely.

Request a quote today, and we’ll help you find the best HVAC contractor for your furnace.

Did you know there are over 14,000 repair companies in Canada? With so many options available, there’s no reason to not trust your furnace repairs to a professional.

If you’ve never gotten repairs done, though, the thought of hiring someone can be daunting. You might not know what to expect, or you might feel like it’s not worth it when you could save money just repairing yourself. You’d be wrong, though, and we’re here to tell you why.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about furnace repair, what you can expect, and why it’s always a smart decision.

Common Furnace Problems

Before you call a furnace repair service, you need to be able to tell them about the problem. Here are a few common problems that you might experience:

1. Thermostat Problems

Thermostats, like furnaces, can break down. When this happens, they’re not able to properly control the heating cycles for your home.

Sometimes, it’s as simple as needing to replace the batteries. Others, you’ll need to replace the thermostat itself.

2. Funny Noises

Owning a furnace is going to come with different noises, so it’s important to know what’s normal versus what’s not.

If there’s clicking, it could be ignition or the heat exchanger. If it’s popping or banging every time you start it up, it could point to the burner struggling to heat to the proper temperature. If you hear that same popping or banging when it’s cooling down too, though, then you might just be hearing your vents expand and contract.

3. Dirty Filters

Dirty filters are going to instantly mean less energy efficiency for your furnace. It’s also going to mean lower air quality and possibly high energy bills with all the extra work your system has to do.

No matter what, it’s important to change your filters at least every three months.

4. Improper Installation

If your furnace was installed improperly, it could mean lead to problems like gas leaks or your unit just overworking itself. Either way, the best way to avoid this problem in the first place is by hiring a certified professional.

When to Call In a Professional

You’re likely to face these common problems at some point with your furnace, but if it’s not a simple fix then it’s best to call in a furnace repair company. Finding a service you can trust is going to end up saving you a lot of time and money in the long run, even if it might seem like it won’t.

If you choose to repair your furnace yourself and something ends up going wrong, then you’re going to end up paying more to have it fixed again. Hiring a professional is going to help ensure it gets done correctly the first time around.

What to Expect

So, what can you expect when you finally call a professional service?

They’ll start with small things like changing your filter, cleaning out ducts, and cleaning out the unit itself. Any moving parts will be lubricated, they’ll ensure your thermostat is working properly, and they’ll also tighten up all your electrical connections if any are loose.

The voltage and amperage levels will be checked, and so will your condensate drain pan. They’ll also clean it if necessary.

These steps are just routine and maintenance. From there, if you’re experiencing any problems, then it’s going to vary. You can always expect a conversation to happen with the person working on your furnace, though. 

They’ll let you know what work needs to be done, and they’ll ask about any problems you’ve been experiencing. The more specific you can be with your answer here, the better. Depending on your answers, they’ll be able to better diagnose the problem and come up with a solution.

Depending on the problem, they’ll be able to fix it during your initial appointment, or they might have to come back at a later time. Rescheduling is likely to happen if they need to order a new part for your furnace, or if they need a team to fix the problem and only one person came to your appointment.

You’ll also receive an updated quote at your appointment if it becomes necessary. From there, you can trust that the problem will be fixed in no time!

What Can You Do Yourself?

While it’s best to call a professional a lot of the time, there are still some normal furnace maintenance tasks you can do yourself.

Replacing your filter, for example, is simple and easy to do. So is replacing the batteries in your thermostat whenever it’s needed. If you’re experiencing other problems and don’t know where to start, you should take these steps first:

• Check your breakers
• Ensure the gas is on
• Look for blocked or leaky ducts
• Remove leaves and debris from heat pumps or intake and exhaust vents

If the problem persists after you’ve completed all these steps, then you’ll know you need to call in a professional.

Ready for Your Furnace Repair?

Now that we’ve gone over the basics and you have a better idea about what to expect, are you ready for your furnace repair? Whether you need a professional right now or you’re looking for the future, it’s important to find a service you can trust and count on.

That’s where we come in.

With our streamlined process, all it takes is a simple search and you’ll have free quotes to local contractors no matter where you live in Canada. Check out our automated tool today to get started.