What are the Warning Signs That Your Furnace Needs Repair?
7 Signs Explained:
When it comes to home repairs, we tend to focus on the
obvious: broken doors or windows, chipped paint, appliances that stop working. But how do we know when there is a problem
with more discrete equipment such as the furnace? HVAC problems can cause a variety of issues
in the home and could go undetected unless you know what to look for. Here is a list of warning signs to be on the
lookout for that indicate your furnace needs professional repair.
Leaks
Depending on where your unit is located, a leak may not be
as obvious as you would like. If you
notice water or other liquid leaking from your unit, you should call for repair
ASAP. Whereas some condensation is
normal in the summer months, pooling or dripping water or other liquid is
not. Don’t try to diagnose the problem
on your own, remember liquid and electricity don’t mix and this could be
dangerous.
Unexplained Noise
If you think you are hearing things or your spouse or
children claims there is a ghost in your house, think again! Loud
noises, knocking or hissing could indicate a problem with your furnace. In normal operation your furnace turns on and
off to regulate your homes temperature and operates at a low hum, anything
louder and you should call for service.
Odd Odor
What’s that smell? If
you smell mold, must, singed wires or anything else out of character for your
home, your furnace could be the culprit.
Foul odors will make it unpleasant and could have adverse health
effects. You need to call for service if
you are turning up your noise at the air from your vents
Uneven Temperature
When your furnace is functioning properly the temperature in
your home should be consistent throughout. If you suddenly have rooms or areas
with hot or cold spots this is a clear indication that something could be wrong
with your HVAC unit.
Electric Bill Increase
If your eyes went wide at the sight of your last electricity
bill and you are hard pressed to determine the cause, then it may be an issue
with your furnace. When your furnace is working as it should,
your bills should be fairly consistent every month depending on the time of
year. Unwarranted spikes in cost and consumption could mean that there's
something wrong, and that means you need help!
Overdue for Service
If it's been a while since anyone has looked at your
furnace, then it's a good idea to have someone come in and do an inspection. A professional HVAC contractor would recommend
yearly checkups. Your unit will be expertly looked at and small
problems can be repaired before bigger issues happen.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Finally, if your gas or carbon monoxide alarms are triggered
you have a problem. First, you, your
family and pets need to leave your home immediately. Next, call your local HVAC contractor for
emergency repair service. For the safety of your family, a furnace that
may be leaking potentially dangerous gases cannot wait for repairs.
HVAC problems may not be immediately obvious but it's
critical to your health, safety and comfort to recognize the warning signs and
quickly call for repair. If you experience
any of these issues, be sure to call a professional HVAC contractor ASAP to diagnose
and repair your system. Schedule a service call today! 973-283-0300
