Is your furnace ready for the first cold night of the year?
Most people don’t think about their furnace until their house is ice-box cold at 6 am and they are trying to get their kids ready for school. By that time it’s already too late. You’re left with:
- Cold bedrooms
- Grumpy kids
- An emergency repair bill
Here’s the good news:
Nine times out of ten, your furnace will try to warn you before it completely breaks. You just have to recognize the signs.
Here are the 7 largest red flags you should know, what they indicate and when to call a furnace repair company.
Here’s What’s Inside:
- Why Fall Is The Best Time To Fix Your Furnace
- 7 Signs Your Furnace Needs Repair
- Quick Furnace Checks For Busy Weekends
Why Fall Is The Best Time To Fix Your Furnace
Winter is when heating problems pile up.
Did you know that the National Fire Protection Association reports that 46% of home heating fires occur from December through February? That’s when your furnace works hardest… and when service companies are busiest.
So what does that mean for you?
“If you wait till winter, you can expect to wait in line.” A busy furnace repair company may leave you and your family in the cold for days. During the fall, service technicians are less busy so they can come out quickly and take care of small problems before they become large problems. Families who don’t usually need furnace repair in Phoenix, AZ are still glad they booked a fall tune-up when it saves them from a freezing desert evening after an unexpected cold front comes through.
Fix it early = no surprise breakdowns.
It really is that simple.
7 Signs Your Furnace Needs Repair
Ok onto the real stuff. Read each sign below and honestly…. Does your furnace show any of these?
1. It Makes Strange Noises
A furnace should make a soft humming sound. That’s it.
If you hear banging, squealing, rattling, or grinding, chances are something is wrong. Banging could be a delayed ignition. Squealing is usually a worn belt or low motor oil. Rattling could be coming from a loose panel (easy fix) or a cracked motor. (not easy)
Don’t crank up the TV to cover it up. Weird noises only get louder with time. So does the repair bill.
2. The Flame Is Yellow Instead Of Blue
This one is a big deal.
When a gas furnace is operating properly, the flame should burn blue. Yellow flames or flames that dance around can indicate incomplete combustion of the gas. And that can produce carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide isn’t detectable by smell, sight, or taste. According to the CDC, it’s responsible for around 500 accidental deaths each year in the United States, and gas furnaces are one of the culprits.
If you encounter a yellow flame, contact a professional immediately. Also, make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors outside every bedroom.
3. Your Energy Bills Keep Climbing
Has your heating bill gone up even though you haven’t changed anything?
This is a telltale sign that your furnace is losing efficiency. Aging components, dirty burners, and filters clogged with debris force your system to work harder to heat your home.
Energy isn’t getting any cheaper. The government’s energy projections predict electrically heated homes will pay more this winter than last. An energy-wasting furnace compounds the issue.
Compare your bills from month to month. If there is a drastic increase, your furnace is sending you a signal.
4. Some Rooms Are Freezing (And Others Aren’t)
Does the living room feel cozy while the kids’ rooms feel like a fridge?
Typically, uneven heating happens when your furnace can’t force warm air into every area of your home. This may be due to:
- A blower motor that’s getting weak
- Blocked or leaky ductwork
- A dirty filter choking the airflow
Make sure all the vents in each room are open before calling someone. Sometimes furniture or toys block vents. If that’s not the problem, you need a professional.
5. It Turns On And Off Too Often
Here’s something most parents don’t notice…
A furnace should run in complete cycles. When yours turns on and off every couple of minutes, it’s known as “short cycling.” This causes extreme stress and wear and tear.
It could be a broken thermostat, an overheating condition, or a dirty flame sensor. Some of these repairs are inexpensive. However, if left unchecked, short cycling will cause your furnace to die years before it should.
6. Your House Feels Dusty Or Smells Odd
Is everyone in the house sneezing more than usual?
Your furnace blows air into every room of your house. Dirty filters and parts send dust, pet hair and allergens through your home. That’s bad news if you have children with allergies or asthma.
It’s normal for your heat to smell like it’s burning the first few minutes you turn it on (that’s dust burning off). If the smell persists or smells like rotten eggs, that’s not normal. A rotten-egg smell can indicate a gas leak. Take everyone outside and call your gas company.
7. Your Furnace Is Getting Old
Most furnaces last about 15 to 20 years.
If yours is approaching that number and you find yourself calling for repairs every winter… Maybe it’s time for a new one. Older units fail more frequently, cost you more money in utilities, and parts can be expensive or impossible to find.
A reputable technician will tell you honestly whether a repair is worthwhile or if you are just pouring money down the drain on an old machine.
Quick Furnace Checks For Busy Weekends
You don’t have to be Dr. Mike to maintain your furnace. These easy checks will take you less time than soccer practice:
- Change the filter: Every 1-3 months. Changing your filter is the easiest step you can take to extend your furnace’s life.
- Test alarms: Press the test button on all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Move it out of the way: Keep toys, boxes, and laundry at least 3 feet away from your furnace.
- Turn it on: Turn on the heat now before you need it and listen for odd sounds.
If things don’t appear right after performing these steps, take action. Schedule your furnace repair while the calendar’s clear.
The Bottom Line For Busy Parents
Your furnace heats and keeps your family safe and comfortable all winter long. It also nearly always lets you know when something isn’t working. Remember these red flags:
- Strange noises
- A yellow flame
- Rising energy bills
- Cold rooms
- Short cycling
- Dust and odd smells
- An aging system
The earlier you catch these signs, the better. You’ll save money, reduce stress, and avoid many cold mornings. Take ten minutes this weekend and inspect your system…Your future self (and your children) will thank you when that first cold morning arrives.
