5 Signs That You Need Furnace Maintenance
Winter is well on its way and the electric blankets or your spouse’s body heat can only go so far.
Is your furnace acting up? Have you started noticing strange smells, noises, or other unusual things? You cannot always tell when your furnace is not working properly. Sometimes changes come gradually that aren’t easily recognized. Still, it is essential to ensure that your furnace works properly especially during the winter season.
If you are wondering whether your furnace is in need of maintenance, here are 5 signs to look for:
1. Strange Sounds
Listen carefully to sounds emanating from your furnace. If you hear strange sounds coming from the furnace, it could be indicative of a problem. It could be that your system is running louder that it previously did. Wearing or worn out parts can cause your system to run louder. If you hear any strange sounds coming from your furnace, call a HVAC maintenance professional to find and replace or repair any faulty parts.
2. Rising Energy Bills
If you are surprised by a very large energy bill, it could be a sign that your furnace needs maintenance. Dirt, dust, and soot can build up in your furnace over time and gradually reduce its efficiency. Maintenance that includes furnace cleaning can help restore energy efficiency to your heating system and lower your energy bills.
3. Strange Smells
Smelling dust once your turn on the furnace is perfectly normal since dust in the ducts and heating elements burns off as the house heats up. However, odors such as burning rubber, smoke, or oil are not normal. Strange odors should be investigated since they could indicate a serious safety hazard. If you notice any strange smells coming from your furnace, turn it off and call your HVAC service technician immediately.
4. No Heat
The lack of heat is one of the obvious signs of a problem. Whether you have an old or new furnace, unexpected problems can prevent it from efficiently heating your home. If you are not getting any heat from the furnace, check the thermostat and pilot light. If all seems okay but you still have no heat, call in a professional HVAC maintenance service to check it out.
5. Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm Triggers
If your carbon monoxide detector alarm goes off, it means that you have a carbon monoxide leak, which can be very dangerous. It is thus important to protect your family and home from this odorless, colorless gas. Excess carbon monoxide is usually detected if too much soot has built up in the furnace or if there is insufficient ventilation. In case of a carbon monoxide leak, get out of the house immediately and call a HVAC furnace repair technician.
The Bottom Line
Your furnace is essential for keeping you and your family warm especially during the winter. It is thus important to ensure that it is always in proper working condition. Watch out for the five signs that your furnace is in need of maintenance to keep it running efficiently by performing the necessary maintenance activities. It is also important to find a reputable HVAC repair service to do the required maintenance.
*Pro Tip: How often do you need to change your furnace air filters? As a rule of thumb you should change your air filters every 2-3 months. Now, there are a few factors that can affect this, if you have pets, if you smoke, if your home is always dusty or you live on a dirt road or dusty area. If this is the case we would recommend changing your air filters every month. Air filters are a cheap and easy to replace, they keep the air quality good in your home and your family breathing cleaner air.
