5 Possible Signs that Your Furnace is Malfunctioning
The time has come – freezing temperatures have returned to our lives and homes. That means it’s time to test our furnaces against the fall and winter season that could result in premature failures.
To help you stay one step ahead of potential problems, below are 5 common warning signs that your furnace isn’t working properly. One or a combination of the following warning signs indicate that your furnace should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
1. Your Home Isn’t Heating Properly
It is very unlikely that an air conditioner will smell like car exhaust as the air conditioner does not have an internal combustion engine. The problem most often is that the air conditioner uses liquids and therefore can smell of exhaust fumes when heated. This usually happens when your refrigerant line has a leak. This can affect the performance of the air conditioner.
Call a professional to fix the leaks. A leak can be very dangerous, so a quick heater repair is very important. You can reduce the smell while waiting by opening the windows and keeping the house well ventilated. This eliminates bad smells and prevents any form of dangerous attacks.
2. Receiving High Energy Bills
If you notice an unusually high energy bill during the heating months, it could be a telltale sign that your stove is losing efficiency. Compare your energy use to last year and if it’s much higher, it’s probably coming from one of your biggest energy sources – the stove.
3. Heating Cycles are Irregular
When operating properly, your furnace should be operated with constant heat cycles to maintain the desired temperature. If you notice that it turns on and off more frequently or seems to run constantly, this could be a sign of a malfunction.
Your best bet is to call a professional to help you find the problem that is making your home uncomfortable and skyrocketing your energy bills.
4. Odd Sounds
A little noise is acceptable and expected from your furnace, but if you notice anything unusual, it could be a warning sign. Examples include; Creaks, whistles, squeaks, loud bangs, bumps, squeaks, etc.
These noises are often associated with the other warning signs on this list and should be an incentive to call a technician.
5. Unusual Smells
When you use an furnace for the first time in the season it is normal for it to smell a bit of dust particles that are not being used. However, an odor that lasts for more than a day is cause for concern.
For example, a metallic or burnt rubber smell over a long period of time may indicate that your furnace is not working properly and should be checked as soon as possible.
In Conclusion
While there are thousands of different things that can go wrong with a furnace, the 5 warning signs above are some of the most common and easy to spot. We understand that spending time and money on seemingly small issues can be difficult, but it can save you many more headaches, time and money in the future.
Proper maintenance of your furnace, changing the filter regularly and adjusting and cleaning it annually can help it run longer and more efficiently. Our maintenance program is a fantastic way to keep your equipment in top condition.
For honest, experienced service, call the experts at Carrano Air & HVAC Contractors Inc. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (732) 329-3784. There is no task too big or too small that we cannot help with.