Do not dread the winter season because of your damaged heater. Even heaters that are maintained properly can break down once in a while. The appliance does not have to stop working to know there is an issue with it. Repairing them earlier will save on the cost of buying a new one as well as going without one since sometimes when they completely break down they can be irreparable. Therefore, it is necessary to keep checking on the functionality of the furnace frequently to notice if there is any damage. Your home should be the place that shields you from the cold winter weather therefore; ensure you perform some form of routine maintenance. Below are some signs that indicate that your furnace is probably faulty.
1. Surge In The Electronic Bills
An abnormal rise in the electric bills is a clear indication that you need to check on your furnace or call a repair guy to fix it. As they age heaters often lose their efficiency especially if routine maintenance is not carried out. Although there are several causes of increased electric bills it should not be increasing if you have been scheduling proper maintenance of your electronic equipment. As such a constant increase in your bill is a signal that the heater is on its last days. Therefore, you can use the money you are using to pay the bill to schedule a repair for it.
2. Abnormal Noises From The Heater
Learning to listen to your furnace the sound it makes will tell you a lot about what is wrong with it. If you hear a noise that is far from normal then you should start getting worried. Watch out for noises such as; banging, popping or rattling noises. Furnaces that have been in use for a long time may produce such noises therefore; if yours has been in use for 5-10 years you should change it. Furthermore, if the blower in the heater turns on and off abruptly or blows cold air that is an indication that the heater needs to be repaired. The fan will also produce humming noises. The humming noise should be
3. Unstable Thermostat Setting
You will find that the heater does not heat all the rooms equally. Some of the rooms will be too hot while others will be cold. This lack of uniformity should be an alarming factor. Therefore, if you find yourself constantly adjusting your heater then there might be a problem that requires a furnace repair. A certified technician will be of much help towards restoring your machine to help it distribute heat uniformly to all rooms. Additionally, if you notice an increase in dry air and dust in the house it is best to first check on the furnace before anything else. Dry air is dangerous and can cause some diseases like asthma and breathing difficulties. Therefore, noticing such small things will prevent you from being exposed to such health hazards. However, some noises such as popping noise may be confusing since they sometimes happen when temperatures change. Therefore, you need to pay close attention to such to ensure you do not pass up damage for a normal occurrence.
4. The Smell Of Gas
You need to have a heightened sense of smell to notice. If the heat exchanger breaks or cracks a smell like that of gas leakage will be produced. When such happens turn off the furnace immediately and call a technician since the risks may outweigh the benefits at that time.
5. The Furnace Will Produce A Yellow Flame
A well functioning furnace will produce a blue flame while a faulty one will produce a yellow flame. Thus, when there is such transformation in flames you need to turn it off since it is an indication that it may be producing carbon monoxide which is a harmful gas when inhaled. Carbon monoxide is odorless therefore; you need to pay attention to the flames produced before the danger escalates.
6. If The Heater Has Lasted For 15 Years Or More
The average expectancy of a furnace ranges from fifteen to twenty years. Hence, if your s has lasted for this long then you need to start thinking of replacing it. Repairing an old furnace will cost more than buying a new one. Additionally, an old one will fail to function soon after it has been repaired. As it ages it becomes difficult to start it up. If you have to forcefully start it up then this is even more reason to buy another one.
7. A Guide To Choosing A Furnace Repair Technician
Choosing a good HVAC technician is a ticket to you having a good heater. Therefore, before Settling on a technician ensure you ask around for the company’s or technician’s reputation. If they have successfully fixed several machines then you can hire them. The company or person offering these services should have a legitimate license and a reliable insurance cover. Furthermore, do not wait until the machine breaks down to look for a technician. It means that you should establish a relationship with one technician to ensure trust and quality services. Find a company that offers affordable services so that people do not take advantage of your desperation in case of an emergency.
Bottom Line
Does your furnace portray any of these signs? If so then you need to call your technician as soon as possible. The earlier your heater is fixed the better. Therefore you need to pick out the signals the heater gives you and act on them. Some of them are hard to notice if you are not keen but are crucial. Some of these damages are harmful to our health such as the release of the carbon monoxide gas and the dry air. A furnace is meant to serve you for the better part of your life hence, you need to carry out proper routine maintenance and replace the broken parts if need arises.
