Is Your Furnace Trying To Tell You It Needs Repairs?
Winter is the perfect time of year to bundle up, but bundling up is not what you want to have to do when you are in the comfort of your own home. However, when you are left inside your home in the cold as a result of a furnace breakdown, the truth of the matter is that there were warning signs of repair that you didn't notice or ignored. Here are some of the warning signs that your furnace gives you when you need to call a professional for repairs.
Weird Noises
As a general rule, your heating system should not make a lot of noise when it is running normally. So, if you hear weird noises like squealing, rattling, banging, or popping, coming from your unit, there is a good chance that a component has come loose, there is a leak, or a small gas explosion has occurred due to a defective pilot light.
Cold Air
The primary job of your heating system is to heat your home, so if it is not doing this, then repairs are necessary. The problem may be with the thermocouple or the burner, but the fact of the matter is that the repairs are beyond your own experience and need to be left to a professional.
Pooling Water
If your system's condensate line has become blocked, then you will generally see pooling water around the unit. A professional will need to come to your home to open up and unclog the line in order for the heating system to begin running optimally again. While leaks are not hazardous, it is important that they are handled in a timely manner so that water damage does not occur to your property.
Increasing Energy Bills
If you notice that your monthly utility bills are increasing and there is no reasonable explanation for the increase, then your furnace is likely running less efficiently as a result of ducting issues or a clogged filter. In cases like these, routine maintenance can save you money on your utility bills, reduce your carbon footprint, improve your indoor air quality, and increase your unit's life expectancy.
Gas Odor
If you ever smell gas and it seems to be coming from the furnace, turn the system off and shut off the gas supply valve. Evacuate the home and contact a professional immediately. There is a chance that there is a carbon monoxide leak inside of the home, and an HVAC contractor needs to diagnose the issue, repair the problem, and give you the green light that your home is safe to re-enter.
For more information, contact a heating repair company in your area.