Do I Need Furnace Repair? 8 Telltale Signs Your Heating System Needs Attention
Have you noticed cold spots, unusual noises, and higher bills? Well, then it might be time to ask yourself: ‘Do I need furnace repair?’ To help determine whether you need furnace repair, our HVAC technicians compiled the following eight telltale signs to watch for. If you face any of the problems listed below, don’t hesitate to call the heating professionals here at TNT Home Services! We’re always standing by to lend a helping hand!
Common Signs Of Heating Trouble
- Unusual noises from the furnace, such as grinding, scraping, buzzing, and popping, often signal mechanical issues that require professional furnace repair to maintain system efficiency.
- Inconsistent heating and temperature variations throughout the home may indicate furnace repair is needed due to problems like improperly installed furnaces, faulty ductwork, or failing blower motors.
- A sudden increase in energy bills without higher usage can suggest a struggling furnace. It may require maintenance or repair due to dirty air filters, clogged ducts, or inefficient thermostats.
- Your furnace is more than ten years old and is starting to show its age.
- There are visible signs of damage.
- You’re noticing significant performance problems, such as short cycling.
- You’ve noticed your home feels drafty when it previously didn’t.
- You smell gas, or your carbon monoxide detector goes off (exit the home with your loved ones and call emergency services if you notice gas odors or your CO detector starts going off).
1 – Unusual Noises From Your Heating System
If your furnace makes noises it hasn’t made before, that indicates that repair work may be necessary. Different noises point toward various issues. For example, whistling sounds could point to airflow restrictions. On the other hand, a high-pitched shrieking sound might indicate a problem with the belt.
The range of worrying sounds from your furnace can include:
- Grinding sounds are often associated with blower motor dry bearings needing lubrication
- Scraping noises hinting at either deteriorated ball bearings or an unstable blower wheel – situations calling for an immediate heater power-off and professional HVAC assistance
- Various buzzing, rumbling, popping, banging, thumping, or continuous clicking when the unit is in operation signify different malfunctions that an experienced technician should assess.
Learning what each distinct sound means is essential for preserving your heating system. So, if you detect any unusual noises from your furnace, contact our heating specialists immediately.
2 – Inconsistent Heating And Cold Spots
Uneven heating is another sign that your furnace may be experiencing difficulties. Poor air balance and issues with ducts are often the culprits.
The design and state of your home’s ductwork and HVAC system influence how evenly heated your home is. For example, leaking or improperly sized or routed ductwork might result in hot and cold spots throughout your home. Additionally, if the bearings inside your furnace’s blower motor start failing, that can also lead to hot and cold spots.
If you notice hot or cold spots throughout your home or business, don’t hesitate to contact our team of heating professionals.
3 – A Sudden Spike In Energy Bills Without Increased Usage
If you’re perplexed by an unexpected spike in your energy bills while your usage patterns haven’t changed, it could be a red flag that your furnace is due for repair. Common reasons for a spike in your heating bill include clogged filters or ducts, failing components, leaks, and more.
Additionally, faulty or malfunctioning thermostats might not function properly, making your furnace work harder than it needs to, which drives up energy costs.
Routine service checks and tune-ups can lead to substantial savings and enhance indoor air quality. So, if you think you might be working your furnace (and, consequently, your walled) too hard, don’t hesitate to call us. We’d be more than happy to help you out.
4 – The Age Factor: Is Your Furnace Getting Old?
Much like any other piece of equipment, the performance and efficiency of a furnace decline as it ages. On average, furnaces have a service life of 10 to 20 years. Signs such as reduced efficiency and poor heat distribution often emerge after 15 years. Notably, high-efficiency furnace models may serve effectively for 15 to 30 years. The longevity is influenced by several critical factors, including proper sizing at installation time, the quality with which they are installed, and regular upkeep.
To ensure your furnace system operates optimally over its lifetime, it’s essential to get annual furnace maintenance and routine tune-up services. These services often include keeping components such as filters and motors clean. When your furnace gets too old or requires frequent repairs – especially if these repairs cost more than half what you’d pay for a new unit, investing in a replacement might be in your best interest.
5 – Visible Signs Of Wear On Furnace Components
Recognizing and resolving performance issues with your furnace may extend beyond operational concerns, including identifying visible damage or degradation of parts. Conducting routine inspections helps. When looking at your unit, check for rust, cracks, or corrosion. Rust is one of the more important things to keep an eye out for. When a heat exchanger rusts, it could compromise your heating system’s safety and effectiveness.
Act quickly if you notice any visible signs of wear or damage. Don’t hesitate to contact our professionals if seeing anything amiss with your heating system.
6 – Thermostat Troubles Affecting Furnace Performance
Your heating system relies heavily on the thermostat. Suppose you notice thermostat-related problems, such as failure to respond when adjusting settings, inaccurate temperature readings, or your furnace turning on and off (called short cycling). In that case, you may have a faulty thermostat. A defective thermostat also leads to increased energy consumption (and energy bills) and inadequate heating and cooling.
To guarantee that the thermostat accurately reads the temperature in your home, keep it clean and position it away from any drafts or direct heat sources. The lifespan of a typical thermostat is about ten years. After this period, they can begin losing efficiency and negatively impact how well your furnace functions.
If you notice thermostat issues, don’t hesitate to contact our professionals. We’d be more than happy to help you solve all your thermostat problems.
7 – Experiencing The Dreaded Cold Winter Draft
If you notice varying temperatures in different areas of your house—some rooms comfortably warm while others remain frigid—it’s possible there’s an issue with your furnace warranting inspection and possibly repair work. Cold drafts may also stem from insufficient sealing around doors and windows, which would need addressing to achieve even heating across all spaces.
As winter should ideally bring coziness and consistent warmth indoors, enduring an unwanted chill suggests it might be time to examine how effectively your furnace is operating and the state of insulation throughout your home.
8 – You Smell Gas, Or Your Carbon Monoxide Detector Goes Off
If you smell gas or your carbon monoxide detector goes off, leave your house and call the professionals. Signs of leaking gas include:
If your gas furnace’s pilot light appears yellow instead of blue, this could be a sign that combustion isn’t complete, and there may be a leak releasing carbon monoxide into your residence—an issue so severe it could warrant replacing the entire furnace unit.
If you notice any indicators such as corrosion or fissures in your system’s heat exchanger component, this can also lead to dangerous carbon monoxide leaks.
If a strong gas smell lingers around your home, immediately turn off the gas, open some windows, get your family and pets outside, and call for help immediately.
Never ignore these signs of furnace malfunction. Once out of danger, contact an HVAC expert to repair the leak so this never happens again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a common failure for a furnace?
Dirty filters often lead to insufficient airflow, thermostat inconsistencies can result in uneven heating, and issues with ignition or pilot controls might prevent the furnace from starting. Clogged filters or problems with airflow could cause the furnace to cycle on and off more frequently than it should. Unusual sounds may signal underlying mechanical problems within the furnace.
By undertaking regular maintenance for your furnace, you can help avert such complications.
What happens if you don’t service your furnace?
Failing to conduct regular maintenance on your furnace may result in suboptimal functionality and elevated energy use, which can cause a spike in utility bills.
The efficient performance of your furnace needs to adhere to a routine servicing schedule.
How do I know if my furnace needs maintenance?
If you experience any of these signs, it’s time to schedule a furnace maintenance to ensure it runs efficiently and safely.
Keeping an eye out for these signs will help you avoid potential issues.
Is furnace maintenance necessary?
Yes, yearly furnace maintenance is recommended as it can help spot potentially dangerous issues early on, such as a cracked heat exchanger.
Is it worth fixing a furnace?
When a furnace exceeds its anticipated lifespan and begins to require repairs, it is often more economical to opt for replacement rather than fixing it. Continuing with repairs might only offer temporary relief from problems before additional complications arise.
It’s advisable to allocate resources toward purchasing a new unit as an investment in prolonged savings and heightened efficiency.
Getting Help With Your Furnace Or Heat Pump
Your furnace or heat pump is essential, keeping your home and the water you use warm. Hearing banging from an appliance like this can be very worrying, though the most common causes of these issues aren’t something you need to be too worried about. You can quickly get them fixed with the help of a dedicated home furnace company and plumbing and heating team like TNT Home Services.
You can contact our skilled team through our website, and our digital assistant will give you everything you need to get started. We always work hard to provide the best possible service, with our clients being happy with our options.
Learn more about our heating services in the following locations:
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