Common Signs That Your Furnace Needs Repair
When the weather gets cold, you rely on your furnace to keep your home warm and prevent seasonal issues like frozen pipes. Furnaces can develop problems over time that require repair. Timely furnace repair can keep furnace issues from worsening, preventing breakdowns. Below are common signs that your furnace needs repairs:
Uneven or Inadequate Heating
If you notice that some rooms in your home are colder than others, your furnace may be struggling to distribute heat throughout your home. Poor heating can result from a faulty blower motor, blocked ducts, or a clogged air filter. Your furnace may also produce low heat regardless of the thermostat setting. Inadequate heating can also result from a faulty thermostat or leaky ductwork.
Strange Noises
Unusual sounds when the furnace is running indicate component damage. A boom at startup is a sign that your furnace’s burners are dirty, which causes delayed ignition. The delayed ignition causes a loud boom when you start your furnace. The blast from delayed ignition might break your heat exchanger, requiring you to replace your furnace. Do not use your furnace before repairing it.
Grinding or scraping usually indicates a loose blower wheel that may be scraping against the metal inside the furnace. A broken motor mount may also produce a scraping sound. A high-pitched squeal implies that your furnace’s moving parts need more lubrication.
Increased Energy Bills
If you note a sudden spike in your electricity bill, it can indicate that your furnace has become less efficient. When a furnace no longer operates efficiently, it has to work harder to maintain the desired temperatures in your home. An overworked furnace consumes more energy, increasing your electricity bill.
Your furnace is no longer efficient if you continually turn up your thermostat to keep your house warm. A furnace inspection can reveal the issue causing your furnace to operate inefficiently, facilitating timely repairs.
Frequent Cycling
A furnace that keeps turning on and off is said to be short cycling. Short cycling happens when something causes your furnace to cut off before it can complete the heating cycle, forcing it to turn on once more. Some issues that can cause frequent cycling include:
- Dying fan motors
- Dirty heat sensor
- Thermostat malfunction
- Clogged air filters
- An overheating furnace
Frequent cycling puts unnecessary wear and tear on your furnace’s components and may increase electricity bills. Furnace repair can resolve the issues causing frequent cycling, restoring your furnace’s functionality.
Yellow Pilot Light
A pilot light is a little flame in your furnace that ignites your furnace’s burner. A furnace’s pilot light should have a bright blue color. This shows that there is enough air to combust the fuel your furnace uses. A yellow pilot light indicates incomplete combustion, which can produce harmful carbon monoxide gas.
Incomplete combustion typically occurs when the combustion chamber has an airflow problem. Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas, so call a repair technician immediately if you see a yellow pilot light.
Visible Corrosion
Inspect your furnace for signs of rust and corrosion. Rust can weaken the metal parts of your furnace. It can also cause holes and cracks in the heat exchanger, which poses a safety hazard. The carbon monoxide gas furnaces produce goes outside the home through flue lines.
Rusted flue lines may have small holes releasing carbon monoxide that should be vented outside your home. Have a furnace repair technician replace corroded components to keep your furnace running safely and efficiently.
Moisture Problems
If you observe a water puddle when running your furnace, there is a chance you have an internal drainage system clog or a clogged or leaky condensate line. A humidifier problem may also cause water leaks around your furnace.
Sometimes, moisture problems manifest as buildup in the ceiling or windows and dampness in the air. Such a moisture issue can point to a problem in the vents. All these issues are relatively easy for a professional to fix.
Furnace Repair for You
Recognizing and addressing furnace problems before they worsen can save you from an unexpected breakdown. Timely furnace repair also keeps your heating system working optimally, keeping your home warm and cozy throughout the cold season. Contact an HVAC professional for repairs if you observe the above furnace problems.
