Questions we answer every week
Collected from actual Fox Valley service calls. Answered the way we would answer standing in your basement.
My house heats unevenly. Some rooms are fine, others freezing. Why?
Nine times out of ten it is airflow, not the furnace: long undersized duct runs, missing return air paths, or leaky joints in unconditioned spaces. Occasionally it is zoning worth adding. A duct evaluation finds the actual cause; guessing with a bigger furnace usually makes it worse.
How long should a furnace last in Wisconsin?
15 to 20 years with maintenance, and ours work harder than the national average. Past 15, plan your replacement on your schedule rather than the furnace's. It will pick a January night otherwise.
How long should an air conditioner last here?
12 to 17 years is typical in the Valley. Our short cooling season is gentler on ACs than southern climates, but cottonwood, humidity, and long idle periods bring their own failure modes.
Is a banging, squealing, or booming furnace an emergency?
Booming at ignition means delayed ignition and deserves a prompt call. Squealing is usually a belt or bearing dying, fix it before it strands you. Occasional duct popping from metal expansion is normal.
Do I really need my furnace checked every year?
Combustion equipment deserves an annual look, yes. It is a safety check (heat exchanger and CO) as much as a performance check, and most manufacturer warranties require documented maintenance to stay valid.
What thermostat setting saves money in winter?
Setbacks of 5 to 8 degrees while asleep or away save real money with a furnace. One caveat: if you have a heat pump or a boiler with high thermal mass, aggressive setbacks can backfire. Ask us for your system's right answer.
Why does my AC run constantly but the house stays humid?
Probably oversized, which means it cools fast and shuts off before dehumidifying, or airflow and refrigerant problems are cutting capacity. Both are diagnosable. A dehumidifier bolted on as a first resort is treating the symptom.
Are smart thermostats worth it?
For most forced-air homes, yes, they pay for themselves in a season or two. On boilers and heat pumps the picture is more nuanced and the wrong model can hurt. We install and configure them matched to your equipment.
Should I close vents in rooms I do not use?
No. Closing vents raises duct pressure, strains the blower, and can crack a heat exchanger over time. Duct systems are designed as a whole. If a room is over-served, balance the system properly instead.
What should I do before calling for a no-heat visit?
Check thermostat batteries, the furnace power switch, the breaker, and the filter. A shocking number of midnight calls are one of those four. If it is none of them, call us, that is what the on-call tech is for.
Question not here?
Call the shop. If we can answer it on the phone in two minutes, we will, no visit required.