9 Warning Signs that your Furnace Requires Repairing
Breakdown of your furnace or heating system in the middle of the season will cost hundreds of dollars. And, if it's not just money, no one wishes to freeze in the cold while their furnace is repairing. Isn’t it? Thus, furnace repairs become essential to get connected with proficient experts for repair and maintenance. Moreover, seeking HAVC maintenance/ furnace repair will help to go easy on your budget and ensure the long life of appliances.
Frankly speaking, a newly installed furnace or one that has been installed for less than 3 years may not worry you. But, if it’s older than that or showing certain signs, then it's a clear indication to get in touch with experts.
From this post on The Ofmum, you can quickly conclude from these warning signs your furnace requires repair. These 9 warning signs are:
1. Household Odors That Are Too Strong to Ignore
As the furnace operates, most unpleasant odors will dissipate. There should be cause for alarm if a pungent odor of fuel suddenly begins to permeate the area around the unit. Many other problems, such as leaking gas lines or too much dust, can cause unpleasant odors.
An explosion can occur from even a small spark near gas. Problems with the combustion process can also result in foul odors and the emission of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide into the home. You should call in an HVAC expert to investigate the smell and find out what it is.
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2. The heating cost increased unexpectedly
Air duct problems become more noticeable as your furnace ages. The furnace may not work properly if the air ducts don't have a good seal. Disconnected wiring or broken thermostats are common causes of these functional problems. The problem should be fixed after you replace the broken component. A sudden and significant increase in your electricity bill could result from this. Giving a call to a professional who can fix your furnace would be your safest bet.
3. The Carbon Monoxide Detector Sounds an Alert
If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, get out of the house immediately and contact the authorities as well as a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning repair agency. Carbon monoxide is released into the air as a gas furnace burns, and it must be expelled via the flue system to prevent potentially fatal indoor levels from reaching unsafe levels. Problems with combustion or ventilation, or a damaged heat exchanger, are all potential sources of this poisonous gas. This issue is urgent and must be fixed immediately to prevent further harm to your loved ones.
4. Changes in Airflow
Without adequate airflow throughout the furnace and ductwork, running your furnace continuously won't be enough to adequately heat your home. As time passes, you might detect a shift in the air pressure. Perhaps the airflow from one vent is noticeably weaker than usual. In some cases, the temperature or humidity in a particular space may fluctuate throughout the year.
There's little doubt that reduced airflow can cause serious problems and expensive repairs over time. There hasn't been a better moment to adjust the filters than now if you've lost track.
5. House Takes Forever to Heat Up
If your heating system is putting out less heat than usual, there may be something wrong. Without preventative maintenance, faulty heating system components like thermostats can wreak havoc.
The first thing you should do if your furnace is only providing a little heat or none at all is to schedule HVAC maintenance. In most cases, the thermostat is to blame for the problem.
In this case, the technician merely needs to reset the thermostat settings and the issue will be fixed. Some cases, however, may have faulty ducts that are causing the treated air to escape.
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6. The Pilot Light Turns Yellow
The furnace's pilot light, which burns constantly, must be a pristine bright blue. This is evidence that the gas is not being burned entirely. It is also an indicator that your heating system may be creating a higher-than-normal level of carbon monoxide.
If the furnace's gas-burning rate drops, it will typically become a different color. Even if your furnace is only a few years old, the pilot light could go out. This is especially true if the carbon monoxide isn't being properly vented out of the building. Leave the house and contact a furnace repair service immediately if you suspect a carbon monoxide leak.
7. Scheduled Countless Maintenance
Like any other machine, furnaces require upkeep and services to function properly. However, problems that keep coming up should be taken seriously as an indicator of deeper issues. The more often the furnace service calls within the first two years, the more likely it is that more serious problems lie ahead.
If your heating system has been running for 20 years or more, you should probably get a new one.
8. Houses have cold spots or ice accumulation
It's likely your furnace isn't heating enough to keep your house warm if you've noticed cold spots in your home or that your heating system isn't performing its job. Heat output from boilers and furnaces declines as they age, making it less efficient to heat your home. Although a repair can provide a temporary answer, installing a new heating system that’s correctly sized for your home’s heating needs is the best alternative.
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9. Difficulty with starting the furnace unit
When your unit won’t startup, there are numerous techniques to troubleshoot your furnace to detect potential problems. During the winter season, when furnaces need to function practically all the time, recurrent hitches during starting may be a genuine issue. Wiring problems are a common root cause of this problem. Another reason could be the furnace's age which can cause it to have trouble starting and staying lit again.
Last Words:
Your family and house will benefit from your informed selection when you have a deeper understanding of your HVAC system. Repairs for your furnace should be scheduled without delay when any problems have been detected. Hopefully, you will have these signs in mind whenever facing any trouble with your furnace.