10 Alarming Signs Your Furnace Needs Repair
Just because your furnace is running, doesn't mean it is working in your favour.
Below we take a look at 10 alarming signs that suggest that your furnace needs repair or needs replacement.
1. If you have not properly maintained your furnace for more than one year
Try to remember the last time you tended to your furnace, if not by you, then by a certified HVAC professional.
If you cannot remember the date, it means you are long overdue for a check-up.
The least you can do in this case is have your filter replaced since it is a maintenance job that needs to be done once a month.
Most HVAC companies have a service that provides monthly check-ups, on top of the regular automatic annual maintenance check-ins they have with your furnace.
Put that in your calendar and keep your furnace working at an optimal level.
2. Your furnace is surrounded by a pool of water
There is always a possibility that your furnace is leaking either gas or water, this is something you should always take into consideration.
So, to maintain a working furnace, this needs to be properly inspected.
Just make sure to check whether there is a pool of water under your furnace or just around it.
This usually happens if there is a clogged line somewhere within the furnace, so this is a particular type of problem that has to be checked out by a professional furnace repair company.
3. Smelling gas in the air
This differs from identifying a pool of water since gas cannot be easily spotted in the air.
If this is the case, you should take immediate action and shut off the entire furnace, as well as the gas valve.
Avoid lighting a match, lighter, or cigarette, and immediately call a professional HVAC company to help you out.
4. Hearing weird thumps or noises in the night
If your furnace is making strange noises, day or night, then this is a clear sign that it needs repair.
If you hear bangs, thumps, scrapes, or any other unidentified noises then it means it is time to contact your HVAC professional, since they will be able to determine whether the noise can go away on its own or it is time to do some damage control and maintenance of your furnace.
5. A diminished capacity of the blowing air
Let’s start with a similar example here: If the heater in your car is not working properly, you immediately notice because hot air fails to blow out the vents, right?
Well, the same thing can happen to your home furnace too.
There are a few reasons why this would happen and it can be from a minor issue such as clogged fans or vents to a major problem connected to the belts and motors.
The simplest solution to this is to get in touch with your regular HVAC professional that maintains your furnace, have them check out the issue, and resolve it in a heartbeat.
6. When your thermostat is not working anymore
This is a clear red flag when it comes to the longevity of your furnace.
In cases where the thermostat is not working properly, this is where you tend to turn the heat up so you can keep yourself warm.
This is a clear sign that your furnace is in a dire need of repair.
The thermostat has one job and that's to tell the HVAC system how much heat to produce.
So, if it stops doing its job, then you need to call a professional furnace repair company to fix this.
This usually happens if an electrical issue occurs, such as blown fuses, loose wiring, tripped circuit breakers, etc.
To avoid any risks of shocks, do not attempt to fix this issue by yourself, but rather get in touch with an HVAC professional and have them come in and fix the problem.
7. A massive increase in your utility bill
If you have not increased the use of heat, and your bill increases constantly, this could mean that there is trouble with your furnace.
Take a look at the system, since it might be time to have it repaired.
Make sure to call a professional, since it might be a bit difficult to find out the underlying issue.
8. Cold air is coming out of your furnace
It is an obvious sign of an issue when your furnace is blowing out cold air instead of hot air.
Some of the most frequent reasons for this particular issue are connected to the thermocouple or with the pilot lights, both of which are considered to be highly complex issues to solve.
And again.
This is why you should not try to do it yourself, contact a professional furnace repair company who can assist you and fix the problem.
9. The cycling becomes either very frequent or constant
This could be a clear indicator that your furnace is working overtime and is not able to handle it.
If the furnace is constantly shutting down and then turning back on again, it means it is cycling much more than it should.
The cause for this could be either a clogged filter, or improper ventilation of the air, or it can even be the thermostat in question.
10. You own an old HVAC system
The final one is something people rarely think of, and it is the life span of your HVAC system.
The average life span of the furnace is about 15 years, however, depending on the quality of the furnace and regular maintenance checks, it can function properly somewhere between 13 and 20 years.
So, before going into large repairs that require a certain budget, think about whether it is the right time to replace the entire furnace instead of investing in repairs that can cost about the same amount.
At the end of the day, no matter what happens, you need to be aware that constant checks on your furnace can decrease your chances of running into a potentially larger issue that can cost you a lot of your time and money.
Taking proper care of your furnace is the ultimate best way to ensure optimal functioning and a warm and pleasant home!
If you have any questions about furnace repair or furnace replacement feel free to call us at 416-335-0881 or chat with us in near real-time on our Facebook fan page.