Heating & Cooling help in Southern Indiana

Local guides by town

• Heating & Cooling in Boonville
• ChandlerTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• ChrisneyTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• CynthianaTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• DaleTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• DarmstadtTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• ElberfeldTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• EvansvilleTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• FerdinandTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• Fort BranchTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• FranciscoTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• GrandviewTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• HaubstadtTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• HighlandTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• HollandTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• HuntingburgTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• JasperTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• LynnvilleTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• Melody HillTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• Mount VernonTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• New HarmonyTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• NewburghTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• Oakland CityTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• OwensvilleTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• PatokaTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• PoseyvilleTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• PrincetonTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• RichlandTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• RockportTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• Santa ClausTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.
• St. MeinradTown overview for now. A local heating and cooling guide is on the way.

Furnace Repair

Warning signs

• Frequent repairs and rising bills. Equipment that needs frequent repairs while energy bills keep rising is a sign it may be time to replace it. Source
• Uneven room temperatures. Some rooms in the home being too hot or too cold is a sign the heating system may need replacing. Source
• Noise, dust, or humidity problems. A noisy heating system, excessive dust, or humidity problems in the home are signs the equipment may need replacing. Source
• Carbon monoxide symptoms. The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Source
• Several people feeling sick at once. If more than one person in the same place has CO poisoning symptoms, it may be carbon monoxide; go outside right away and call 9-1-1. Source
• Gas smell. If you smell gas, do not light the appliance; leave the building immediately and call 9-1-1 and the gas company. Source

When it happens

• Schedule heating tune-ups in fall. Contractors get busy once winter comes, so it's best to have the heating system checked in the fall. Source
• Heating fires peak in January. Residential heating fires peak in January, which accounts for 20% of them, and drop to their lowest point in June, July, and August. Source
• Winter furnace and vent check. Each winter season, have your furnace system and vent checked by a qualified technician to make sure they are working properly. Source
• CO detector checks at clock changes. Check carbon monoxide detector batteries when you change the clocks each spring and fall, and replace the detector per the manufacturer's instructions or every 5 years. Source

Doing it yourself

• Monthly filter checks (DIY). Inspect, clean, or change the furnace air filter once a month, because a dirty filter can raise energy costs and damage equipment, leading to early failure. Source
• Annual professional service. Furnaces need to be inspected and serviced at least once a year by a licensed professional. Source
• What a pro tune-up checks. A contractor's heating check-up should cover gas (or oil) connections, gas pressure, burner combustion, and the heat exchanger, since improperly operating gas connections are a fire hazard and can contribute to health problems. Source
• CPSC yearly inspection advice. CPSC urges a yearly professional inspection of all fuel-burning home heating systems, including furnaces, boilers, water heaters, chimneys, flues, and vents. Source
• Carbon monoxide alarms (DIY). Install CO alarms in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level including the basement, and test them at least once a month. Source
• Clearance around the furnace. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from the furnace, and keep the furnace area clean and uncluttered. Source

Good to know

• What AFUE means. AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) is the percentage of the heat in the incoming fuel that is converted to space heat instead of being lost. Source
• Minimum efficiency for an ENERGY STAR gas furnace in the U.S. North. 97 percent AFUE Source
• Efficiency of older furnaces. Older furnaces typically have AFUE ratings in the 50s or 60s. Source
• Condensing (high-efficiency) furnaces. Condensing gas furnaces have an efficiency of at least 90 AFUE. Source
• Savings from an efficient furnace. ENERGY STAR certified gas furnaces for the northern U.S. are up to 18 percent more energy efficient than baseline models and can save about $160 a year in energy costs. Source
• Furnace age at which ENERGY STAR says it may be time to replace. 15 years Source

What it costs

These are published estimates, not quotes. Prices depend on the house, access and season, and a provider should confirm the price before any work starts.