As winter appears, the last thing you want is to be stuck in a cold house. Are you worried about your furnace? Is it working properly?
Most Americans prefer to keep their home around 68 degrees in the winter. However, with HVAC problems, that temperature could fall drastically.
You may not think about your heat until it’s no longer working. However, there are some actions you can take if you see any of these early signs of heating problems.
1. Turns On and Off Constantly
If your furnace is working as it should be, it turns on, increases the temperature, and turns off until the temperature decreases again. Your furnace should not turn on and off and have issues heating your home.
If you notice your furnace keeps turning on and off, you may have a clogged air filter that is causing an issue to your thermostat.
Average furnaces can cycle about three to ten times an hour, depending on your home and the outside temperature. However, if it randomly turns off and on, you should have your furnace inspected.
2. Furnace Doesn’t Match the Thermostat
Thermostats have a very important job, and they are just as important as your furnace. If your temperatures on your thermostat do not line up with your air temperature in your home, you have a connection issue. Thermostats tell the furnace how much heat to produce.
If it isn’t connected properly, you may have an electrical issue. It could be as simple as a loose wire or blown fuse. Check your connection to your furnace by bumping up the temperature a few degrees and see if the furnace clicks on.
3. Loud Noises in Air Ducts
If you hear some noises from your air ducts that you don’t recognize, you may need to take a look at your system. You can start by changing your filter to see if the noises stop. A clogged filter can cause more static pressure in the system, creating noise.
If the weather seems colder than normal, your system may just be running at a higher speed to compensate, so it could be the blower. This is normal.
However, if you changed your filter and it is the average temperature outside, you may have something wrong with your system and need heating repair.
4. Blowing Cold Air
Cold air coming out of your heat register is an obvious sign you have a furnace problem. Your furnace should not produce cold air.
You may get a few seconds of cold air when the furnace first turns on, but it shouldn’t last longer than that.
5. Pilot Light Is Not Blue
If you have a gas furnace, your pilot light should be blue. If the pilot light is yellow, this means the air intake valve may be clogged. A yellow flame does not burn as hot as blue flames, which won’t adequately heat up your thermocouple.
This could mean you need HVAC repair. A yellow pilot light could also be dangerous because carbon monoxide isn’t burned by this lazy flame, so some excess gas can escape without you knowing. Carbon monoxide is odorless and is dangerous to you and your family’s health.
6. Drasticย Utility Bill Changes
If your furnace isn’t running properly, you may notice an increase in your utility bills. Some furnace problems that can increase your monthly bills include a failed compressor on your heat pump. When this happens, the unit continues running to make sure the home is heated.
You should always watch your utility bills for any drastic changes. Of course, you have to take into account extreme weather.
7. Hardly Blowing Any Air
If you notice minimal air coming out of your registers when your furnace is on, you may have a problem. Your furnace should produce a steady stream of warm air from your registers when it is running properly.
With little air stream, you may have problems with your furnace’s belt, fan, or even motor.
8. Leaking Water Near the Unit
Any time there is random water in your home, it’s a sign something is wrong. It can also lead to mildew and mold growth.
It’s important to go check your furnace every so often throughout the year to make sure you don’t see a pool of water. If you do, you should call for help immediately.
9. You Haven’t Had Maintenance in More Than a Year
This is important. Just like any other mechanical equipment such as your car, your HVAC system needs to be properly maintained so it can last its expected life span. If you haven’t had any maintenance done recently, you may want to have a service. The technician can help spot any small problems and prevent early failures.
10. Your Furnace Is Near the End of Its Life Cycle
The average furnace lasts about 15 to 20 years. If your furnace is older than that or nearing that age, you will probably start noticing you need repairs. It’s always important to keep an eye on your system as it nears the end of its life expectancy and be ready to call an HVAC company.
Be Aware of These Heating Problems
It’s best not to let these heating problems go. If you notice any of these signs or know your furnace is close to the end of its life cycle, you should call an HVAC company immediately to inspect. No one wants to be left in the cold in the winter, especially inside.
Interested in more home advice? Keep checking out our site for more advice on the interior and exterior of your home to make it as comfortable as possible.
