While it may not be a crucial component of your home during the summer, your furnace is the most valuable item in the winter. Like all other household items, your furnace, too, can become a victim of wear and tear, and trying to get it repaired in the winter can make you wait in a long line.
7 signs you need to get your furnace repaired now, not later:
You must pay heed as soon as there is some noticeable damage or a point of concern.
To determine if you need emergency furnace repair services, use our expert guide, where we enlist the signs to look out for and explain what they mean:
a. Does your furnace sound okay?
All furnaces have some noise and sound coming out of them, but if your furnace has recently started producing really weird whistling and squealing sounds, then there may be a problem with its belt or fan. Similarly, groaning and banging sounds could point toward some loose or broken parts.
b. Not heating like it used to:
If you’ve noticed that your furnace no longer heats your home like it used to or is not achieving a certain temperature despite correct thermostat adjustment, then this is another sign of damage.
2 common causes for poor heating are:
- Such an issue could indicate problems with the blower motor, thermostat, or pilot light.
- Another component that could cause this issue would be a leaky ductwork that’s causing all the heated air to escape.
c. The air feels unfiltered:
Does your air feel unfiltered? Here’s what’s happening:
- Damage to the filter or unclean ductwork could lead your furnace to produce low-quality air that is full of toxic foreign particles like bacteria or highly noticeable dirt.
- This can pose a risk to the health of your family by increasing the chances of colds, coughs, and various other respiratory illnesses.
- You should either try replacing your clogged filter or get your ductwork cleaned professionally.
d. Is your furnace pilot flickering?
As alarming as it is for human health, this usually means a high concentration of CO in the air. High intake of carbon monoxide can cause fatal health risks as well as increase the combustibility of your living space. This is a very serious issue, and you should get emergency furnace repair services from a professional HVAC technician.
| Did you know?The normal color of a pilot light is blue, but if yours appears to be yellowish, then this could be a warning sign for a ventilation problem! |
e. Does it take ages to start your furnace?
Over time, it gets harder to turn your furnace on as quickly as you once could. But if this issue is combined with your furnace turning off multiple times during the day, then it requires some attention.
Here are some explanations:
- Mostly, such an issue is caused by a damaged thermostat or wiring that is disconnected.
- Improper airflow or a blocked-up filter could also be putting a strain on your furnace, drastically increasing its energy consumption and ultimately your energy bills.
f. Does your CO detector keep tripping?
Frequent instances of a CO detector going off pose a huge risk to you and your family. It may be getting triggered due to the presence of toxic gases. An immediate step you should take in this case is to turn the furnace off instantly, open windows for ventilation, and call a technician to troubleshoot the gas leak.
| Know your facts:Up to 17 people die each year from either a gas leak or fatal explosions caused by it, according to ACS Publications. |
Conclusion
Your family’s health and safety should be your priority, which is why if you notice any of the above signs, don’t waste time. Give the issue the attention it needs. If you’re having difficulty troubleshooting the issue, get furnace repair services from an HVAC professional.
FAQs
How often should I consider gas furnace repair and inspection?
Twice a year is more than enough if you don’t have any prevailing issues.
What are some oil furnace repair tips?
The most important components would be the thermostat and fuel oil supply. If they’re not working properly, get professional help.
Should I do repairs or just replace my furnace?
If your furnace is subject to wear and tear and the repair costs exceed the replacement costs by a huge margin, get it replaced.
My furnace is not igniting. Do I need to replace it?
No, if you can try to resolve the problem by fixing your ignition pilot or thermostat, then go for it.
What does a yellow pilot mean on a furnace?
This issue requires immediate attention because it is a sign of high CO levels in the air.
