When your furnace or heat pump is running right, you hardly think about it. When it’s not, you notice quickly. Ignoring the warning signs can mean higher bills, bigger repairs, or waking up to a cold house in the middle of no-heat season.
This article answers the most common questions we hear from customers about furnace and heat pump issues—and shares five red flags to watch for that mean it’s time to call an HVAC pro.
Your heating and cooling system works year-round to keep your home comfortable. Regular maintenance is the first line of defense. Clean your system. Change filters. Schedule seasonal inspections. Stay on top of it, and you’ll dodge expensive repairs, improve indoor air quality, and extend the life of your equipment.
But even with proper care, systems age and parts wear down. That’s when the warning signs start showing up.
Bangs, squeals, grinding, or constant cycling on and off—those aren’t “normal.” A well-tuned system should hum along quietly. Odd sounds usually mean something’s loose, worn, or struggling. Don’t wait until that small rattle becomes a full breakdown.
A skilled tech can quickly diagnose the source of the noise and get the job fixed right the first time, using an honest approach to identify issues. Customers have appreciated our clear communication and trustworthy service.
If one room feels like a sauna and another like an icebox, or the air just doesn’t feel as strong as it used to, your system could be fighting a clogged filter, duct issue, or a failing blower motor. Weak or uneven airflow can affect both heating and cooling systems, impacting comfort in homes and office spaces alike, whether for personal or business needs. Weak airflow puts strain on the whole system and drives up your energy bill. Sometimes, damaged ductwork or a failing blower motor may need to be replaced to restore proper airflow.
If your utility bill is climbing but your usage hasn’t changed, unexpected increases in cost can be a sign that your system is running less efficiently. A tune-up can restore performance, catch hidden issues, and save you money long-term.
Enrolling in a maintenance plan offers advantages such as lower energy costs and improved system reliability.
A healthy furnace or heat pump should run in steady, consistent cycles. Systems that were not properly installed may be more prone to these issues. If it’s flipping on and off every few minutes—or running nonstop without keeping up—it’s signaling a problem. That could be a thermostat issue, dirty coil, or deeper mechanical trouble.
If repairs do not resolve the issue, it may be time to replace the unit to ensure it meets your expectations for comfort and efficiency.
A musty odor, burning smell, or dust blowing through your vents isn’t just annoying—it’s a warning sign. These warning signs can occur in both heating and air conditioning systems. You could be dealing with electrical issues, mold, or poor filtration that needs to be addressed before it gets worse.
When facing these problems, it’s important to choose a company known for reliability to ensure your system is properly inspected and repaired. Prompt repairs help protect your investment and the health of your family by ensuring clean, safe air and reducing the risk of health issues related to poor indoor air quality.
Your furnace and heat pump do the heavy lifting to keep you warm and breathing easy when the valley fog rolls in.
Clean filters and regular service catch the dust, pollen, and crud before they float through your home or shop. Modern equipment takes it further with air purification.
Want real control over your comfort and air quality? Ductless mini splits provide room-by-room control, meaning you're not heating spaces you're not using. Smart and efficient. For homeowners watching their energy bills, that's money in the bank.
Catching these signs early can mean the difference between a simple fix and a costly replacement. At Santiam Heating & Sheet Metal, our licensed HVAC technicians know how to spot problems before they snowball. Most repairs can be completed within a week depending on part availability, ensuring prompt and reliable service.
Every Oregon home is different. We've been serving homeowners in the broader Salem community for 30+ years, and we've learned that one-size fits all solutions don't cut it when you're dealing with older homes and Oregon's weather. Need a new furnace? We'll size it right. Heat pump acting up? We'll get back up and running. Ready to upgrade your whole HVAC setup? We build it solid—the kind of install that keeps running through twenty winters, not just until the warranty runs out.
Expert installation, maintenance, and repairs done right the first time.