In the heart of an Indiana winter, residents will run their heating system extensively. That means it needs to be working at peak performance to avoid energy wastage. The best way to ensure optimal efficiency is by staying current on inspections and maintenance.
Trusted and reliable companies like Mitch Craig Heating and Cooling thoroughly assess the system to identify developing issues and resolve them. Early fall inspections are recommended to get the furnace ready for the winter. The HVAC should be serviced again in the spring to prepare the air conditioning for summer heat.
Homeowners must familiarize themselves with the equipment and how the components work together. When attuned to its efficient function, you’ll notice irregularities such as unusual sounds and foul odors. If problems are detected early, escalating damage can be prevented, or the possibility of a system shut down.
Let’s review a few signs that you might need a furnace repair from a credentialed and reliable heating professional.
Signs Your Furnace Needs Professional Repairs
Regardless of whether you’re having a heating system issue, preventive measures should be followed, such as a tune-up by a licensed technician twice each year. Visit Furnace Maintenance: Tips and Guidelines | HowStuffWorks – for tips on furnace maintenance. Between service calls, it’s essential to monitor the furnace in case problems crop up.
A number of warning signs will alert you to an issue so you can contact a professional heating contractor to diagnose and address the concern and avoid further complications. Some red flags to pay attention for include the following:
A Yellow Pilot Light
Your furnace pilot light should be blue under normal circumstances. A yellow hue is a telltale sign of carbon monoxide. In excess this gas can be fatal but in trace amounts you can experience flu-like symptoms and a neurological response.
If you’re feeling inexplicably sick and have noticed irregularities with the furnace, contact a furnace repair contractor immediately. The repair is relatively simple and straightforward, but carbon monoxide can be difficult to detect until you experience health concerns.
If you’re pilot light is any color other than blue, whether green, orange, purple, or red, these are signs of corrosion and will hinder the system’s function as well as release harmful contaminants into the air.
Sounds And Smells
A normal smell for a furnace is a “burning” odor when the system is first turned on for the winter. When you become accustomed to its natural function, foul or musty smells will grab your attention. These can be signs of fungal or mold growth in the furnace, a common issue in wet and warm climates.
No one should breathe in these spores; foul smells mean the microbial growth is extensive.
In the same vein, you want to be familiar with how the systems sounds. A rumble is typical when the furnace cuts on. If you hear anything unusual like banging, rattling, or screeches and scrapes, the system is struggling with a damaged or broken component.
When you hear or smell anything out of the ordinary, a service call is warranted for immediate repairs.
Another red flag is condensation forming on the windows. If anything, the furnace should dry out the home’s interior air. When the heating system is producing moisture, it’s malfunctioning and can produce mold and mildew. A heating system repair technician will inspect the excess moisture and decide the best solution.
Inconsistent heating
The furnace should be warming each space in the home consistently. If you have some rooms that are warm and comfortable while others are frigid and drafty, your furnace could need attention. You first want to troubleshoot for drafts from doors and windows and also check the amount of sunlight in the space.
A common issue with inconsistent heating is a buildup of dust and debris in the duct system, preventing even distribution. The ducts could also have a leak, causing the warm air to vent to the outdoors.
In a similar vein, the furnace can also experience short cycling, where it cuts on and off for brief periods, or it could run constantly. This can lead to a spike in energy wastes, albeit the home will likely not reach a comfortable temperature, and utility costs will spike.
In each of these scenarios, it’s vital to contact a qualified furnace repair professional to inspect the furnace and also check the duct system. Go here for details on furnace service and maintenance.
Final Thought
Regular furnace inspections and maintenance is vital, but it doesn’t prevent issues from arising from extensive use and as the equipment ages.
Sellersburg residents must be in tune with their heating system to recognize irregularities as they occur and contact their trusted and reliable furnace repair technician to diagnose these developing issues.
If you’ve had an increasing number of repairs in recent years, the contractor may recommend replacing the equipment with a safe, efficient, and healthy modern model.