Heating Archives - Dogtown Heating, Air & Plumbing

Common Reasons Furnaces Stop Heating During Illinois Winters

January 10, 2026

As an Illinois homeowner, you understand that winters can be brutal. Your furnace must operate optimally throughout the season to keep your home and family warm and comfortable. If your furnace isn’t heating your home, you need fast answers to get it working again. Here are five common reasons your furnace might not be properly heating your home and how our HVAC professionals at Dogtown Heating, Air & Plumbing can get it back online quickly. 1. Thermostat Issues In many cases, the reason why a furnace doesn’t heat as it should lies with the thermostat. Check your thermostat’s setting to

Troubleshooting a Furnace That Blows Cold Air

December 8, 2025

Few things can seem more frustrating than your furnace not blowing hot air during the frigid winter months. Unfortunately, it can happen from time to time due to various issues. Below, we’ll address how to troubleshoot this problem on your own and when to contact our experienced technicians for professional assistance. Dirty Air Filter One of the most common culprits behind a furnace that seems to be blowing cold air is a dirty air filter. When the filter clogs with debris, it restricts airflow through your ducting. When your system can’t pull in enough air, it can overheat

Radiant Floor Heating vs. Forced-Air: Which Heating Method Suits Your Home?

September 9, 2025

Your home’s heating method shapes how you feel stepping out of bed on a cold morning or moving from room to room. Radiant floor heating delivers warmth from below, while forced-air systems push hot air through ducts. At Dogtown Heating, Air & Plumbing, in Urbana, IL, we guide you through the choices so you find the right fit for your space. How Radiant Floor Heating Delivers Even Warmth Radiant floor heating weaves warm water pipes or electric coils beneath your floor surface. As the floor surface heats, it radiates warmth upward into the room. This approach eliminates cold

Furnaces Noises and What They’re Telling You

December 13, 2023

Furnaces commonly make some noise, such as humming sounds while running. Some noises, however, can indicate that the furnace has a problem and needs to be checked out by an HVAC technician. These are some common noises a furnace may make and what the problem likely is. Rattling A rattling noise can mean several things. The furnace might have a loose part that needs to be tightened back into position. The part might also be worn down and need to be replaced. More rarely, it could mean your furnace is about to fail. In the worst-case

Which Is More Efficient: Furnaces or Heat Pumps?

November 18, 2022

When it comes to heating your home, you may be considering whether to install a furnace or a heat pump. Because of the way they operate, heat pumps are more efficient when the temperature is not too cold, but they lose efficiency during the worst winter days. There are ways to pair the components to maximize their efficiency throughout the year, however. Understanding Heating Efficiency Heat pumps work most efficiently when the temperature stays above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it dips below this temperature, heat pump efficiency starts to decline. Once outside temperatures reach about 25

How Can Heat Pumps Operate in Freezing Temperatures?

October 19, 2022

Homeowners here in Paxton, IL know how important a reliable home heating system is in the winter. So, when we tell residents about the latest in heat pump technology, they all ask the same question. They want to know if heat pumps continue to work in freezing temperatures. It’s a reasonable question, given that heat pumps rely on the outdoor air to heat homes. Here’s the answer. How Heat Pumps Work Air-source heat pumps boast efficiency that other heating systems can’t match. It’s because they don’t use fuel or electricity to generate heat. Instead, they capture

Everything You Need to Know About Heat Exchangers

December 20, 2021

Many homeowners are not aware of a heat exchanger until something goes wrong on their furnace. However, a heat exchanger is the largest component of your furnace, and if you have a worn-out heat exchanger, it can result in cracks or holes in the furnace. You don’t want this to happen because it will result in faulty fuel combustion and carbon monoxide that is too high. Here is all you need to know about heat exchangers. A Heat Exchanger Works by Holding to a Specific Design Heat exchangers usually work by transferring heat from one side

How Can I Heat My Home This Winter?

November 18, 2021

You have several options to heat your home in the winter. Some initially cost more but save you money on your monthly energy bills. Which option is best depends on your home, budget and other factors. Electric Furnace This is the least expensive option to install in your home. However, it’s the most expensive way to heat your home. An electric furnace is not a good option unless you don’t have other choices. Gas Furnace Gas furnaces are very efficient nowadays. They’re the most common way of heating a home in the

Why Is There a Smell When I First Start My Heater?

October 13, 2021

When you first turn your furnace on for the year, there’s a good chance you’ll notice the smell of something burning. Is this something to be concerned about? It’s usually normal, but there are some burning smells that indicate a serious problem. Why There’s a Burning Smell Your furnace has likely sat unused for months when you first turn it on for the year. During this time, the air has continued to circulate through your ductwork and heater. This causes dust to settle on your heater’s parts. When you first fire up your

5 Tips to Help You Save on Your Heating Bill

September 15, 2021

If you have a heating bill that gets high in the winter, consider these five tips to keep your energy costs manageable. Whether you need repairs or just a few household changes to keep your heating bill reasonable, it is better to start practicing conserving heat as soon as possible. Also, don’t forget to have maintenance done before the coldest seasons so that you can have a great working heating system during the coldest months. 1. Check Windows and Doors Check the windows and doors in your home to make sure they seal well. You