It is easy to get carried away when you own an appliance designed to last long such as furnaces. That way, you use the appliance continuously without checking if any part of it isn’t functioning adequately. However, as the winter season fully sets in, now is the best time to check for any of the signs your furnace needs repair.
These signs mostly announce themselves, but some of them are so subtle that you have to be on the lookout to be aware. Knowing that you should form a habit of randomly checking your furnace for signs of wear and tear. You can also hire an HVAC expert to help you look at your furnace for any sign of damage.
The Signs to Look Out For Big Bear, CA
If you are hiring professionals, they already know what to look out for. However, there are certain signs that are obvious. We have explained 10 signs your furnace needs repair below:
Your Furnace is Making Unusual Sounds
If your furnace suddenly starts making funny, unusual sounds, it one of the clear signs your furnace needs repair. These sounds include gurgling, snapping, banging, cracking, and any of such sounds coming from your furnace. This sign can mean that a part of the unit is faulty. As such, you’ll need to check out what this could possibly be.
Your furnace might also make weird sounds due to an error in the connection, so you should check the wires and see if everything is fixed properly. It could be a problem with a loose belt, the ignition, or any other part of the system. Call an expert immediately if you notice that the furnace is making any strange sound other than the usual whirring.
The Thermostat is Not Working as Expected
The thermostat is an important part of the HVAC system, and when it starts malfunctioning, it is one of the signs your furnace needs repair. The thermostat can develop any sort of problem. For example, you may notice that the temperature in your home does not increase despite raising the level through the thermostat. In that case, you may have to get your thermostat checked. The problem can be from other parts, but it can also be from the thermostat itself.
It is also possible that the thermostat is not coming on as a result of faulty batteries. What you should do in this instance is to get a technician to replace the battery. You can also take the opportunity to have the entire furnace checked for any other problem.
Your Electricity Bills Keep Going Higher
If you notice a sudden spike in your electricity bill, it may be as a result of a faulty furnace. When your furnace is not working optimally, it puts a strain on the power source. Any of the problems can cause this. For instance, if the air ducts or vents are blocked, it prevents the heat from the furnace from circulating around the home.
The effect of this is that the furnace works extra hard to push enough heat into your home to bring the temperature to the desired level. The extra work consumes extra power, resulting in a higher electricity bill for you at the end of the month. Therefore, if you notice that your electricity bill starts increasing unexplainably, know that it may be one of the signs your furnace needs repair.
Your Pilot Light is Not Blue
Your pilot light should always run blue. However, suppose you notice a change in yellow, orange, or any other variations apart from the normal blue. In that case, it is a sign that your furnace needs repair. The color change may be a result of a problem with the gas combination. For example, if the pilot light is burning yellow, it could result from a carbon monoxide leak.
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous chemical and can endanger your family’s life. Thus, you should call the emergency service and your HVAC company immediately, if you notice the color change.
The Furnace Keeps Going On and Off
If your furnace keeps going on and off by itself, it is a clear sign it needs repair. This sign is noticeable when you turn on your furnace only for it to go off by itself after a while. Similarly, the furnace can also come on by itself without you putting it on. When your furnace starts behaving this way, you will be unable to enjoy using it.
This problem can be traced to several parts of the HVAC system, from the thermostat to the condenser. Therefore, you should call an HVAC expert over to check the system.
Your Furnace is Old
A furnace has an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years. Therefore, if you have been using the same furnace since you moved into your house, you may want to calculate the years. For example, suppose your furnace has already lasted over 15 years and is going on to its second decade. In that case, you should consider getting a new one.
Also, the more often you have to fix your furnace, the greater the sign your furnace is due for a change. Normally, you should not have to do more than a yearly checkup on your furnace. However, the older your furnace gets, the more often different parts of the system break down.
Water Starts Pooling Around Your Furnace
Leakages are a sign of a major problem with the functionality of your furnace. If you notice water pooling around your furnace, you should call a technician. Normally, HVAC systems emit water as the energy goes through several transformation levels to regulate the temperature in your home. This water emission is supposed to evaporate outside of the home.
Therefore, if you notice that it starts pooling around the furnace area, there is a breakdown somewhere in the system. To prevent a bigger problem that may require a costly repair, you should get an expert to look at it immediately.
You Smell Gas
While your furnace uses gas to run, you should not have to smell it. If you can smell the gas from your furnace, it means that there is a leakage. This occurrence is a serious one, and the first thing you should do is put off your furnace. Then, call the emergency office and your HVAC company. These experts will know how to deal with the crisis.
If you can, you should vacate the house along with your family. The HVAC contractors will get back to you when it is safe to go back to the house. It mostly would not take long. They just need to find the source of the leakage, fix it and ensure that every other part of the unit is functioning properly.
The Air is Blowing Mildly
If you turn your furnace on and the air is blowing in a mild manner, it is one of the signs your furnace needs repair. There may be a problem with the air ducts letting the heat into the home. The problem may also be with the filters that may have gotten clogged with dirt. When the air is blowing mildly, it becomes difficult to achieve the desired temperature in the home.
Consequently, the furnace works more than usual to increase the temperature in the house. This extra effort will have some huge effects on your electricity bill at the end of the month. To save yourself the stress and financial strain that comes with that reality, you should call a furnace repairer the moment you observe the error.
Your Furnace is Blowing Cold
When you turn your furnace on during cold winter months, the last thing you want is to be met with cold air from the vents. So when your furnace starts working in this odd way, it is a sign that you need to call the technician. It could be as simple as an obstructed air duct. It could also be as serious as a mechanical problem with the motor or other furnace parts.
Before you conclude, you should ensure that nothing is blocking the vents, such as curtains or furniture.
When you notice signs your furnace needs repair, you should not dally as the situation might become worse. Instead, to prevent yourself from paying for a costlier repair, you should get those issues fixed as soon as you notice them. Most of the signs are easily noticeable if you are observant, which you should be.
Why You Should Repair Your Furnace Early in Big Bear
This is another list that can go on to at least ten points. First, however, we will explain why you should take action immediately when you notice signs your furnace needs repair.
Save Cost on Energy
When your furnace is not working properly, the system overworks itself to deliver the level of warmth required. This, in turn, increases the strain on the energy supply to the house. Therefore, when you fix any problem causing your furnace to underperform, you will be saving yourself some precious money on energy costs.
Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
A bad furnace produces subpar heat to your home. If your furnace is faulty, you won’t enjoy the quality you get from the furnace. Some effects of bad air quality in the house include asthma, allergies, labored breathing, sniffles, and more. Therefore, you should always fix any problem with your furnace early to improve the air quality in your home.
Improves Your House Condition
It is not only the people living in the house that get affected by a faulty furnace; the building also does. Leakage in your furnace may cause ice residue to build upon your roof. Over time, this can weaken the roof and cause cracks to start appearing on your roof. Check the furnace often to ensure it is in top shape and clean the chimneys when dirty.
Take Action Now in Big Bear, CA!!
When all is said and done, now is the best time to act! If you notice any of the signs given in this post, you should reach out to the Plumbers at Bear Valley today. We provide assistance and services in the areas of plumbing, HVAC systems, and related services.
Our technicians are skilled and well-trained in the various aspects of HVAC installation and repair. You can reach out to us through any of the means available on our website. You can also visit our blog to know more about how to care for your HVAC systems.
If you are looking for a Big Bear plumbing, heating & air conditioning contractor, please call (909) 584-4376 or complete our online request form.
Category: Heater Replacement
