Furnace Repair

Trusted Heating Repair Across Winnebago County, IL and Beyond!

When winter temperatures drop in Rockford, you need a heating company you can count on. Gilley’s Heating & Air Conditioning provides fast, reliable, and affordable furnace repair with same-day emergency service, upfront pricing, and a 1-year warranty on all parts and labor. Since 1985, we’ve repaired over 2,400 furnaces, and 94% of customers continue choosing us for future heating services.

 

Water heater and furnace in a garage. Metal ducts and pipes are visible.

Same-Day & Emergency Furnace Repair in Rockford, IL and surrounding areas

Heating problems rarely happen at a convenient time. That’s why we offer:

 

  • Often Same-day repairs available for calls before 3 PM
  • Emergency furnace service during heating season (November–March)
  • Fully stocked service trucks with 200+ parts on board
  • Licensed, insured technicians
  • Honest, upfront pricing before work begins


We restore heat quickly, safely, and correctly—without surprise fees. Call (815) 962-1927 to schedule today.

Signs You Need Furnace Repair

Catching furnace issues early prevents mid-winter breakdowns and reduces repair costs by up to 60%. Common warning signs include:

  1. Weak Airflow: Rooms stay cold; airflow slows, or vents feel weak, often caused by blower motor problems, dirty filters, or duct leaks.
  2. Strange Noises: Banging, screeching or rattling
  3. Yellow or Flickering Pilot Light: A properly burning pilot flame should be blue. Yellow or flickering flames indicate incomplete combustion or carbon monoxide risk.
  4. Rising Energy Bills: If your heating bill jumped 20% or higher compared to last winter, your furnace is losing efficiency.
  5. Frequent Cycling (Short Cycling): Turning on and off every 5–10 minutes points to thermostat issues, overheating, dirty flame sensors, or airflow restrictions.
  6. Furnace Is 15+ Years Old: Older units fail more frequently and take longer to repair due to outdated parts.
  7. Burning or Metallic Smells: Dusty smells are normal at first startup, but electrical or metallic odors require immediate service.
  8. Thermostat Won’t Respond: If your furnace doesn’t react to thermostat changes, you likely have wiring, sensor, or control board issues.

Common Furnace Problems We Repair

Our technicians fix all major furnace brands and models, including:

  • Furnace Won’t Turn On - Often caused by a dead ignitor, tripped breaker, faulty control board, dirty flame sensor, or thermostat failure.
  • Weak or No Airflow - Clogged filters, failed blower motors, broken capacitors, or disconnected ductwork.
  • Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit - Thermocouple failure, dirty pilot, low gas pressure, or failing gas valve.
  • Uneven Heating - Blocked vents, duct leaks, zoning problems, or undersized equipment.
  • Loud Noises or Strange Smells - Indicate worn motors, ignition delay, damaged heat exchanger, or electrical faults.
  • Short Cycling - Dirty filters, oversized furnace, bad limit switch, or restricted airflow.
  • Blowing Cold Air - Ignitor malfunction, burner issues, flame sensor failure, or thermostat fan setting turned to “On” instead of “Auto”.


Why Local Homeowners Choose Gilley’s Heating & Air Conditioning

  • 40 years of trusted local experience
  • 2,400+ furnace repairs completed
  • 94% customer retention rate
  • Licensed, insured, background-checked technicians
  • Transparent pricing, no hidden fees
  • Emergency service available
  • Service for all furnace brands
  • Your comfort and safety come first, always.

Our 4-Step Furnace Repair Process

Step 1: Schedule Service

Call (815) 962-1927 or book online. Same-day service is generally available for 90% of Rockford, Machesney Park, and Belvidere appointments.


Step 2: Diagnostic Inspection (30–45 Minutes)

We check:

  • Thermostat calibration & wiring
  • Gas pressure & safety shutoff systems
  • Heat exchanger condition
  • Ignitor & flame sensor performance
  • Blower motor amperage
  • Airflow measurements & temperature rise
  • Carbon monoxide levels

You receive clear repair options and upfront pricing, no surprises.


Step 3: Professional Furnace Repair (1–5 Hours)

Most repairs are completed same visit:

  • Ignitors
  • Flame sensors
  • Blower motors
  • Gas valves
  • Control boards
  • Inducer motors

We use OEM or approved equivalent parts for long-lasting, safe heating performance.


Step 4: System Testing & Warranty

We complete 2–3 heating cycles to verify:

  • Temperature rise
  • Thermostat accuracy
  • Burner operation & flame color
  • Airflow to each room
  • CO levels and safety controls

Schedule Furnace Repair in Rockford, IL and surrounding areas

Don’t wait for your furnace to fail during freezing temperatures. Our team proudly serves Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Belvidere, Roscoe, South Beloit, Freeport, Oregon, Byron, and all surrounding Winnebago County communities.


Call (815) 962-1927 or email us to schedule fast, reliable furnace repair today!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is my furnace blowing cold air?

    This usually means the flame sensor is dirty, the ignition system isn't firing, or the furnace overheated and shut itself down. Our techs diagnose this quickly on site. The ignitor may not be lighting the burners, the flame sensor could be shutting off the gas valve as a safety measure, or the limit switch triggered from overheating. Our technicians diagnose this issue in 15-20 minutes and typically resolve it within 1-2 hours. Cost ranges from $150-$400 depending on which component needs service.


    You may also notice higher gas or electric bills compared with previous winters despite similar thermostat settings, which often means the furnace is wasting energy as internal components wear out. If a major part such as the heat exchanger or control board fails on an older system, the cost of that repair can approach a significant percentage of a new system, making replacement the smarter long‑term investment.​

  • Why does my furnace keep turning on and off?

    Short cycling happens because of airflow issues, clogged filters, dirty burners, or a failing thermostat. Restricted airflow from clogged filters is the most common cause in Rockford homes, followed by dirty flame sensors causing safety shutoffs, failing thermostats giving incorrect temperature readings, or an oversized furnace heating the space too quickly. We measure airflow, test the flame sensor, and check thermostat calibration to identify the root cause. Repair typically costs $150-$450 and takes 1-2 hours.

  • How fast can Gilley's come out for a repair?

    Most Rockford furnace repairs can often be scheduled same-day, especially during cold weather. We offer same-day service for 90% of calls received before 3pm, with emergency availability during heating season (November-March). Emergency service includes 2-4 hour response for heating failures when temperatures drop below 20°F, prioritizing homes with young children, elderly residents, or medical conditions.

  • How much does a typical furnace repair cost?

    Most repairs fall between $150-$600 depending on the part, brand, and issue. Common repairs include ignitor ($200-$350), flame sensor cleaning ($150-$250), thermostat ($150-$280), blower motor ($400-$650), gas valve ($300-$500), and control board ($400-$750). We always diagnose first and give you options with written estimates before proceeding with any work—no hidden fees, no surprises.

  • Should I repair or replace my furnace?

    If the repair is minor and the furnace is under 12 years old, repair usually makes sense. For older Winnebago County units with repeated breakdowns or repairs exceeding $800, replacement can be more cost-effective. A new 96% AFUE furnace saves $300-$600 annually on heating bills compared to older 80% AFUE models, paying for itself in 8-12 years while eliminating mid-winter breakdown stress.

  • How often should I have my furnace serviced?

    Furnaces should be professionally serviced once per year, ideally in September or October before Rockford's heating season begins. Annual maintenance costs $140-$185 but prevents 75-80% of mid-winter breakdowns, extends furnace lifespan by 5-7 years, and maintains efficiency (dirty furnaces use 15-20% more gas). We offer maintenance plans with priority emergency service and discounted rates.

  • Do you repair all furnace brands?

    Yes—we repair all major gas furnace brands common in Northern Illinois homes, including Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Bryant, Rheem, Goodman, York, Amana, Coleman, Heil, Payne, and Armstrong. Our technicians receive ongoing factory training and maintain relationships with parts suppliers for even discontinued models. We stock common parts for popular Rockford-area brands on our service trucks.