A furnace becomes a source of comfort for every household when the weather turns bitterly cold during the winter season. Even if the temperature outside lowers, it can keep your house cozy and toasty.
Furnaces, on the other hand, are best used in the winter. As a result, it is turned off for a few months each year, particularly during the summer. Your unit might be damaged without you noticing it during this period.
When you discover a problem with your furnace, you must have it examined and repaired by a qualified technician. But how can you determine if your appliance needs to be inspected by a professional? Before your system starts to break down, there are a few symptoms that you can do to extend the life of your furnace.
1. Set Temperature Not Being Met
One of the instances, when a furnace repair is necessary, is when it’s not doing its job. If the furnace is producing a low level of heat or no heat at all, you should schedule repairs immediately.
The most common cause for this problem is leaking ductwork. The warm air produced by the furnace escapes through the leaks in the ductwork around your house. An issue like this can cause your unit to work harder to meet the temperature you want to achieve. This can also cause damage to other components of your HVAC system and make your energy bill go up.
A furnace should provide even heating throughout the house. Naturally, different rooms will have different temperatures, but if you find that your temperature is drastically different in areas of your home, there is a problem. In the end, your heating system is making your home less comfortable and costing you more money than it needs to.
2. You Have A Hard Time Starting The Furnace
Like all things, once a furnace becomes old, it’ll require more service and maintenance. Eventually, you’ll find yourself having a hard time turning on your unit and keeping it running.
If turning on the furnace or keeping it running has become too much of a hassle for you, then you should call a professional to get it looked at.
The most common cause of this problem is dirty filters and coils. It could also be that the flame sensor is already dirty, which causes the unit to run inconsistently. Additionally, worn-out or malfunctioning furnace parts might contribute to the difficulty in starting and maintaining the unit. It’s best to address this issue right away and get your furnace back in working condition as soon as possible.
3. High Electricity Bills
Rising electricity bills are also a good indicator that there’s something wrong with your furnace. Several furnace problems can lead to higher energy bills. As such, it’s recommended that you let a professional inspect your unit and get it fixed. You should consider calling a certified specialist to repair any issues you have with your unit.
4. Strange Noises
Strange noises. While you might think this is an ordinary sound, it could indicate that you need to repair your furnace. These noises can be caused by a broken part or a faulty component. If you notice any of these noises, turn the furnace off immediately and call a professional HVAC technician. In some cases, strange noises indicate that a part is defective or needs to be replaced. If the noises continue, you should call a repairman to assess the situation.
5. Funky Smell
A funky smell coming out of a furnace is never good. This could mean a few different things. The most obvious is a dirty or clogged air filter, but it can also mean more serious issues.
Burning electrical wires can also cause a funky odor. This could be a sign of a malfunctioning heating system, though. A burnt-out electrical wire or metal in the furnace will produce a strong odor. This means that some of the furnace’s components are overheating.
6. Carbon Monoxide Alerts
If your carbon monoxide alarm keeps going off, then there’s a serious issue that needs to be resolved immediately before it can become a health hazard.
You should know by now that carbon monoxide is dangerous. It is often caused by a gas leak, which is a result of a cracked heat exchanger. A carbon monoxide leak is even more dangerous, especially if your home has no carbon monoxide alarm.
Get out of your house as soon as the alarm goes off, and contact HVAC specialists right away.
Final Thoughts
If your furnace isn’t keeping you warm, you should contact a professional as soon as possible. A qualified and experienced technician can also ensure that your furnace is performing at optimal levels. They will be able to swiftly and properly diagnose the problem, saving you money on repairs.
