Furnace Repair, Service, and Installation in Eudora, Kansas
When Your Furnace Quits on the Coldest Day of the Year
It never fails. Your furnace always seems to break down when you need it most – usually during that first cold snap in November or right in the middle of a February ice storm. We’ve been getting those 3 AM emergency calls for over 40 years now, and we know exactly how frustrating it is when your family is shivering in their own home.
The good news? Most furnace problems aren’t as bad as they seem, especially if you catch them early. But when Kansas winter hits hard, you don’t want to mess around trying to troubleshoot things yourself.
Why Furnaces Struggle in Kansas Weather
Living in Kansas means dealing with some pretty wild temperature swings. Your furnace might be running in 70-degree weather one day, then working overtime when it drops to 15 degrees two days later. That kind of stop-and-start operation is tough on any heating system.
We often see furnaces that function well in mild weather but struggle to keep up when temperatures drop significantly. Usually, that’s not because the furnace is broken – it’s because it’s either undersized for the house, hasn’t been maintained properly, or air leaks are letting all the warm air escape.
Common Furnace Problems We Fix Every Winter
The Furnace That Won’t Start. Nine times out of ten, this comes down to the thermostat, a tripped breaker, or a clogged air filter. Before you panic, check your filter – if you can’t see light through it, that’s probably your problem right there.
Heating Some Rooms But Not Others. This one drives people crazy, especially in older Lawrence homes with additions that were added over the years. Sometimes it’s a ductwork issue, but often it’s just a matter of balancing the system or dealing with rooms that are naturally harder to heat.
The Furnace That Runs But Doesn’t Heat. When you hear the furnace running but no warm air comes out, you’re usually looking at either a gas supply issue or a problem with the heat exchanger. Don’t try to fix this one yourself – call us instead.
Strange Noises. Furnaces make noise, but they shouldn’t sound like a freight train coming through your basement. Banging, screeching, or rumbling sounds usually mean something needs attention before it turns into a bigger problem.
What We Actually Do During a Furnace Tune-Up
Many companies claim to perform “complete system inspections,” but what does that actually mean? Here’s what our guys do when they come out for maintenance:
We start by checking all the electrical connections and testing the thermostat. Then we look at the heat exchanger for cracks or corrosion – this is the part that can actually be dangerous if it fails. We clean the burners, check the gas pressure, and make sure the venting system is working correctly.
The air filter is changed (we always bring extras), and we inspect all visible ductwork for leaks or damage. If you’ve got a humidifier connected to your furnace – and you should in Kansas – we service that too.
Most importantly, we test everything to make sure it’s running efficiently. A furnace that’s working but not working well can cost you hundreds of extra dollars every winter.
When to Repair vs. Replace Your Furnace
This is probably the question we get asked most. Nobody wants to spend money on a new furnace, but nobody wants to keep pouring money into repairs either.
Here’s the reality: if your furnace is over 15 years old and needs a major repair (like a new heat exchanger or gas valve), you’re usually better off replacing it. The new furnaces are so much more efficient that the energy savings often pay for a big chunk of the replacement cost.
But if your furnace is newer and needs routine maintenance or minor repairs, it makes sense to fix it. We’ll always be honest with you about what we think makes the most financial sense.
The American Standard Difference
We’ve been selling and installing American Standard furnaces for years because they work. They’re built to handle our Kansas weather, they’re efficient, and when something does go wrong, parts are easy to get.
Most name-brand furnaces are pretty reliable these days. What matters more is having them installed correctly and maintained regularly.
Furnace Installation: Getting It Right the First Time
Installing a furnace isn’t just about hooking up gas lines and electrical connections. The sizing has to be exactly right – too small and it won’t keep up on cold days, too big and it’ll cycle on and off constantly, wasting energy and wearing out faster.
We make sure you’re getting the right size equipment. We also inspect your ductwork to determine if any modifications or upgrades are needed. Sometimes spending a little extra on ductwork improvements makes a big difference in how well your new furnace performs.
Emergency Service When You Really Need It
When your furnace quits working in January, you need help fast. We keep trucks stocked with common parts, and we’ve got technicians on call 24/7 during heating season.
Emergency calls cost more than regular service calls – that’s just reality. But we try to be fair about it, and if we can get your heat back on with a simple fix, we’ll do that first before recommending expensive repairs.
Keeping Your Energy Bills Reasonable
Kansas gas prices aren’t too bad compared to many other places, but your heating bill can still be a shock in January and February. The best way to keep costs down is by ensuring your furnace is running efficiently and that your house isn’t leaking heat.
Simple things like changing filters regularly, keeping vents open and unblocked, and setting your thermostat to a reasonable temperature (68-70 degrees is fine for most people) make a bigger difference than you’d think.
If your bills seem high, give us a call. Sometimes there’s an easy fix, and sometimes it’s worth investing in upgrades that’ll save money every month.
Questions People Ask About Furnaces
How often should I change my filter? Check it every month during heating season. If it looks dirty, change it. Most homes need a new filter every 1-3 months, depending on how often the furnace is used.
Should I close vents in unused rooms? Generally no. Your ductwork is designed to move a certain amount of air, and closing too many vents can actually make your system work harder.
Why does my furnace smell when I first turn it on? A slight dusty smell when you first fire it up for the season is typical. Gas smells, burning smells, or musty odors are not normal – call us if you notice those.
Ready to Get Your Furnace Running Right?
Whether you need emergency repairs, routine maintenance, or you’re thinking about replacement, we’re here to help. We’ve been keeping Kansas families warm since 1977, and we’re not planning to stop anytime soon.
Call us at (785) 542-2707 to schedule service or if you have questions about your heating system. We’re always happy to talk through your options and help you figure out the best solution for your home and budget.
