Furnaces are an absolute blessing in the chilly winters. They keep your home comfortable and also ensure you do not run into seasonal issues like pipes bursting. That said they do stay off for the more significant part of the year so they can get damaged or dysfunctional in the downtime. This is why you need to keep them in good condition. You should schedule a repair appointment the moment you notice an issue with your unit. However, according to https://www.centralhtg.com/blog/furnace-repair, “It may sound silly, but check the thermostat to ensure it is set on "heat" and that it is set at least, five degrees above room temperature. You might be surprised how many service calls are made without checking this!”
Here are some common signs that a servicing is due:
Odd Smells
The first time a furnace is turned on after an extended downtime, the smell of fuel around the unit is pretty standard. This should, however, subside after it is left on for a while. If you notice a persistent strong fuel smell or a sharp smell that suddenly appears, you might have an issue on your hands. A variety of topics can give way to these smells, like gas leaks or dust accumulation. They need to be checked out lest they should snowball into a more significant threat.
Problems Starting Up
Older or ageing furnaces might face trouble when starting up and might also not run smoothly. If you need multiple attempts to get it going and keep it running, then you should probably look for repairs. Usually, these issues arise from wiring faults or thermostat damage. A quick replacement should be enough to resolve the same.
Pilot Light Color Changes
The pilot light is the primary indicator of the health of your furnace. Healthy pilot lights are usually blue, but if you see it change colour to yellow or amber, for instance, you could be facing a severe ventilation problem. The colour change indicates that harmful gases like carbon monoxide are not escaping the room as they should. This could cause serious health issues and also start a fire if you are not careful. You could repair your furnace with AAA and other such reliable and reputed names in the business.
Not Enough Heat Generated
This is one of the more natural factors to notice- your unit will just not be doing its job, or not doing it well enough. If it produces no heat or a low level of heat irrespective of your thermostat settings, go ahead and call for repairs. Leaking ductwork causes treated air to dissipate before reaching you, and broken thermostats result in flawed temperature control.
Weird Noises
Furnaces aren’t silent by nature, but if you notice unnaturally loud noises that refuse to go away with time, then you might have a faulty unit. When you call an HVAC contractor for repairs, describe the sound to them and try to replicate it if possible when they come over to inspect the system. Groaning and banging noises usually signify loose or broken components, while whistling and squealing means the fan or belt could be suffering.
Bad Air Quality
Your furnace will positively impact the quality of air in your home. An ill-maintained system is likely to release dirt, bacteria, and suspended particulate matter along with the heated air. This should be noticeable and will also likely lead to an uptick in allergic reactions, colds, and respiratory issues. A filter replacement might actually be enough to resolve this, but severe cases might require full-scale cleaning.
Conclusion
Whenever you notice something off with your unit, do not shy away from calling the nearest HVAC contractor. Schedule an assessment so they can determine the source of the problem and repair it before it is too late.
