Every time your thermostat calls for heat, the furnace works through a fixed checklist. The inducer motor starts and proves draft by closing a pressure switch, the hot surface igniter heats up, the gas valve opens, the burners light, and the flame sensor confirms there is fire. Only after all of that does the blower start pushing warm air into the house. Finding the step that fails is most of the job. Around Kankakee, IL, the usual failure points are a flame sensor fouled with oxide, an igniter cracked by years of heating and cooling, a pressure switch that stays open because of a weak inducer or a clogged condensate trap on a high-efficiency unit, and control boards with burned relays. Any one of them halts the startup, and from the hallway they all look alike.
When the AC quits in summer, see AC Repair.
Warning Signs for Furnace Repair
Recognizing the warning signs early can save you time and money. Watch for these telltale signs:
- The furnace clicks and glows but the burners never light
- The blower runs constantly but the air never warms
- A bang or boom when the burners ignite late
- Flames that start, last a few seconds, and go out again and again
- Soot, rust, or moisture near the furnace cabinet or vent pipe
- A furnace that shuts off every few minutes before the house warms up
- Squeals, scrapes, or grinding noises behind the blower door
- Yellow, wavering burner flames where they should be sharp blue
Act Before It Gets Worse
Left unchecked, even a small fault or temperature swing often signals a system working its way toward a breakdown. Call (815) 454-9871 at the first sign of trouble.
