Heating FAQs

HVAC installer shows homeowners how to use their newly installed furnace.

Our Experts Answer Your Top Heating FAQs

At Interstate Heating, we know that, unless something goes wrong, you tend not to think about your furnace or boiler. Fortunately, our experts are always here to help—even when you just need a simple question answered. Find the information you’re looking for in our heating FAQs below, and call us at 262-246-4772 with questions, concerns, or to schedule service.

1. How can I save money on my monthly heating bill?

Simple steps are your best bet—change your filter at the recommended intervals so your system doesn’t get bogged down with dust, pet hair, and mold. And commit to annual maintenance because a clean unit will run more efficiently and need fewer emergency repairs.

2. Should I close the registers and doors to areas of the home that I don’t use on a regular basis?

No, because your system was sized to heat your entire home. When you change the area it services, it actually affects airflow in a way that makes your system work harder and less efficiently. A better way to customize temperatures in different rooms is with zoning that’s designed for this purpose, or with a ductless system that can address comfort issues one room at a time.

3. Why is my furnace blowing cold air?

If you have your thermostat fan set to “On,” it will blow air all the time—even when your furnace isn’t heating, which could be why you feel cold air coming from the registers. Also check your filter—if it’s dirty, it can cause the furnace burners to overheat and shut down for safety. Change the filter and check the fan, then call Interstate for experienced furnace repair if you still need help.

4. How do I know if I need to call a service technician for my furnace or if it’s just my thermostat?

Many of today’s smart control panels will notify you of system failures that require professional help. Check for alerts, and note that if the screen is blank, you may just need new batteries in the thermostat. After that, check to make sure the gas valve and power switches are on, the filter is clean, and the temperature setting is higher than room temperature. Then, if you’re still having trouble, give us a call before things get uncomfortable.

5. Why is there water under my furnace?

The easy answer is that the condensate line may be clogged and you just need to clean the line running to your floor drain. More complicated issues usually involve the evaporator coil, but you’ll need to call a service tech to check this out.

6. How do ductless systems work?

As the name implies, a ductless system doesn’t need ductwork—instead it delivers treated air to one or more indoor units through small, flexible conduits connected to a single outdoor air handler. The system uses a heat pump, which can heat air as needed, so it’s a great option to make rooms more comfortable all year long. It’s also very efficient because it doesn’t create hot air—it simply transfers energy in or out of a room to adjust the temperature.

7. What can I do about dry winter air?

Because cool air can’t hold as much humidity as warm air, it’s common for homes to feel dry in winter. This is especially true when air is then heated by a furnace, which wrings even more moisture out of it, causing dry skin, itchy eyes, chapped lips, bloody noses, and other problems. It can even affect hardwood floors, furniture, wallpaper, and more. Adding a whole-home humidifier brings moisture levels back up to the recommended 35 to 50 percent, without the hassle of constantly moving a portable unit or refilling a reservoir.

8. Does it matter who fixes my furnace?

Choosing an experienced heating and cooling contractor can actually save you time and money. Instead of looking for a coupon or whoever can fit you in their schedule first, go with a company like Interstate that has installed thousands of systems and stands behind its work. As a Carrier® Factory Authorized Dealer, we have been carefully trained and must adhere to the highest standards of customer service and honest business practices. We can handle even the most difficult job, and we’ll do it right the first time, guaranteed.

If you have additional questions, our team is ready to help. Call us at 262-246-4772 and see why more homeowners and home builders turn to us for answers.