Answers to common heating questions for homeowners across Warrendale, Cranberry Township, Butler, Ross Township, and greater Pittsburgh.
Western Pennsylvania winters are no time to be without a reliable heating system. Whether you have a gas furnace, an oil boiler, or a heat pump handling your home’s warmth, the questions below cover what homeowners in the Pittsburgh area most often ask before calling a technician. Spurk HVAC has been servicing residential and commercial heating equipment since 2018.
Yes. Spurk HVAC services gas furnaces, electric furnaces, and oil furnaces. Our technicians are trained on all fuel types and can diagnose issues across the full range of residential heating equipment — from standard single-stage furnaces to high-efficiency modulating systems. We also service oil furnaces and can advise on fuel-switching options if you’re considering a conversion.
Often yes. Many older boilers throughout the Pittsburgh and Butler area are still repairable, even if the brand has been discontinued or parts are no longer stocked locally. We source components through specialty suppliers and can give you an honest assessment of whether repair is a viable long-term option or whether replacement with a modern high-efficiency boiler would serve you better financially over the next several years.
A heat exchanger inspection should be part of your annual furnace tune-up — every year without exception. The heat exchanger is the component that separates combustion gases from the air circulating through your home. A crack or hole in the heat exchanger can allow carbon monoxide to enter your living space, which is a serious and invisible safety hazard. Annual inspection is the most reliable way to catch early damage before it becomes dangerous.
A cracked heat exchanger often doesn’t produce obvious symptoms at first, which is exactly what makes it dangerous. Warning signs can include:
A visual inspection by a trained technician — combined with combustion analysis equipment — is the only reliable way to confirm a crack. If you have any suspicion, schedule an inspection promptly and consider installing carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home.
A furnace heats air and distributes it through ductwork. Common furnace repairs involve the heat exchanger, burner assembly, igniter, blower motor, gas valve, and limit switches.
A boiler heats water and distributes it through radiators, baseboard units, or radiant floor tubing. Boiler repairs more commonly involve the circulator pump, expansion tank, pressure relief valve, zone valves, and piping connections.
Both systems require annual maintenance, and Spurk HVAC services both throughout the Pittsburgh North Hills area and into Butler County.
Yes. We serve Butler and surrounding Butler County communities in addition to our core Allegheny County service area. This includes the Warrendale corridor, Cranberry Township, and communities along Route 19 and I-79. Contact us to confirm availability at your specific address.
Replacement typically makes more financial sense when:
Newer high-efficiency furnaces can reach 95–98% AFUE ratings, which often produces meaningful savings on monthly gas bills compared to older 60–70% AFUE equipment. We’ll lay out both options honestly so you can decide what makes sense for your situation and budget.
Yes. If you smell gas near your furnace or anywhere in your home, leave the house immediately, do not operate any electrical switches, and call your gas utility from a safe location. Once the utility has addressed the immediate situation and cleared you to re-enter, contact Spurk HVAC to inspect and repair the affected equipment or gas line connections.
