A broken furnace indicates that your furnace requires a more regular maintenance schedule. However, it’s also true that the older a furnace is, the more prone it is to breaking down frequently. Knowing the warning signs that can lead to furnace breakdown is a homeowner’s responsibility, and you can more easily determine a course of action after identifying if there’s an issue with your furnace in the first place.
Wintertime is especially considered to be the worst time to have a malfunctioning furnace. If you’re in this unfortunate situation, the first thing you should do is look for fast and efficient emergency repair in Arizona. If you happen to require getting a new system installed, you must first ensure you know what to look out for when your furnace breaks down.
Signs That a Furnace is Breaking Down
You have to know when to take your furnace acting up seriously. Schedule a consultation with a trained technician as soon as you notice something wrong with your system. If you are, you are unsure about what’s happening with your furnace. Here are some signs to look out for.
Unusual Sounds from the Furnace
Furnaces don’t typically operate quietly. This design is such that a light hum comes from the furnace, and it’s somewhat louder when you first turn it on, but it quiets down in a few seconds when it’s working correctly. A loud, persistent, and unusual sound indicates a severe problem. Listen for pops and squeaks or creaks coming from the furnace.
It would show that some parts came loose and are out of place. You might not be able to fix such an issue, but a trained technician could. Fixing the problems could be as simple as tightening a bolt, saving you from an entire system replacement.
A Furnace Keeps Short Cycling
If you have an automated furnace, it turns on and off depending on the temperature in your home. It turns on when it gets too cold or when the indoor temperature matches what’s on the thermostat.
If there are problems with it , it’ll turn on and off randomly and frequently without heating your space adequately. This kind of problem could eventually lead to irreparable damage to the unit.
Lowered Efficiency
When your furnace is failing to supply heat into your space adequately, it might be due to lowered efficiency. A furnace that shows signs of lowered efficiency is usually a prelude to a breakdown. You can usually tell that certain rooms in your house might feel warmer than others when your furnace has an efficiency problem. Have a technician fix the issue before it’s too late.
A Spike in Energy Bills
Continuously monitor your energy bills to note differences when you have a furnace. A drastic spike in your monthly bills indicates something is wrong with your furnace. It means that the assurance is overworking and consuming more energy than it previously did
It could be well on its way to breaking down completely. If that’s the case, you’ll need to schedule repairs or prepare to replace the system. Ask your HVAC technician to check your heating system to confirm or clear any issues and the best course of action.
Appearance of the Yellow Pilot Light
Usually, the pilot light inside the furnace is bright blue and clears when the assurance runs as it should. Any changes to the flame’s color indicate something is up with the system. It could mean gas is not burning efficiently due to an underlying problem.
In such an instance, the flame appears yellow, indicating a carbon monoxide leak. Waiting around for the problems to resolve on their own won’t work. You shouldn’t try to work it out by yourself, either. It’s better to have a trained technician fix it soon, as it’s a safety hazard.
Unexplained Illness among Household Members
Have you noticed you’re an increment in flu-like symptoms in your household? Your furnace could be the source of the problems. Carbon monoxide leaks and contaminated air are the most likely reason why you are experiencing this. It can cause flu-like symptoms in small doses, and continuous exposure is deadly.
System Requires Frequent Repairs
Older heating systems tend to require frequent maintenance and repairs. The average lifespan furnace is 15-20 years. If your furnace needs repairs before the ten-year mark, you have big problems. Call the technician and review what the warranty says and what you should do in such an instance.
Regular system maintenance might allow your system to last longer, but eventually, your system will demand repairs more frequently. You should start saving up for a new plan when your system requires repairs versus another week as soon it might break down.
Dust and Soot in Your Home
Take it as a warning sign that your furnace is breaking down if there is more dust in your home than there usually is. Your furnace is probably failing, and that’s the beginning of the problems you will experience. Dust is a potent allergen that could trigger you.
Usually, part of a furnace’s functionality is to ensure that the air in your home is clean and dust free. If it’s not working correctly, it won’t remove airborne particles. The problem could be a clogged filter which you can replace or clean.
Unusual Smell from your Furnace
Usually, there is some kind of smell from the furnace from the fuel it runs on. Expect this smell to be more concentrated when you run your furnace for the first time after a year of turning it off, but it dissipates in a few minutes.
If the scent doesn’t go away and only intensifies, then there is a problem with your furnace, and it’s likely about to break down. The smell could result from a gas leak or dust build-up in the furnace. Either way, it’s the start of a breakdown, or it’s best to get a technician on it as soon as possible.
Takeaway
If you are worried that your furnace is acting strange, schedule an appointment with a technician as soon as possible. Keep an open mind and expect more than repairs when you have a malfunctioning furnace.
If you keep a lookout for the warning signs that lead to a furnace breakdown, you can prevent the issue and preserve your home comfort in the long run.
