Are you sitting around worried that your heating system can break down at any moment? Well, unless you’ve never had your system professionally maintained and don’t know any of the signs that your heater is in disrepair, this isn’t likely to happen.
Oh wait, you don’t know the signs to watch for? That’s okay, we’re here to help!
First off, the best way to fend off heavy repair needs is with routine maintenance. Whether you’re using an electric or a gas-powered furnace, you should have professional tune-ups done each year. This helps your system work as efficiently and effectively as possible throughout its lifespan, plus it can even prevent up to 85% of the repair needs your system may ever have!
But that doesn’t mean that your system will never need repairs—there is that other 15% after all, and wear and tear affects any large appliance. Read on to learn what indicates a furnace in disrepair.
Loud and Unfamiliar Noises
Sometimes it can be hard to detect heating system problems if they’re not actually getting in the way of your comfort, yet. A strange sound from the cabinet of your furnace might be something you brush off at first. It’s not impacting how hot the air coming through your vents is, so why bother addressing it?
Well, because it can be indicating something that will soon grow into a much bigger issue. For instance, a buzzing sound can indicate something wrong with the electrical connections, leading to a potential fire hazard. A screeching noise might signal a worn-out fan belt that will break at any moment. Banging or popping can indicate a dangerous problem with your burners.
High Utility Bills
Look, we get it, everyone thinks their heating bills are too high. It’s a pretty subjective concept. But what we want you to look at is how your heating bills look compared to last year. If you’ve experienced similar furnace use as this same time last year but your heating bills have spiked, then it’s time to have your furnace checked. Something is causing it to work inefficiently, and it’s time to get it checked out!
Lack of Heating Comfort
Does it seem like you just can’t get your thermostat up high enough? Something like damaged ductwork or even a dirty system can prevent the heater from ever reaching the desired temperature on your thermostat.
Short-Cycling
Short-cycling is the name given to the process where your furnace rapidly turns on and off. This is both the sign of a problem and the cause of subsequent problems. Short-cycling is wasteful, since your furnace will never reach the desired temperature but will keep trying. It also wears the system components down faster.
Yellow Pilot Light
“Oh, my pilot light isn’t supposed to be that color?”
Nope! This light should always be burning blue. Otherwise, there might be substances present on the burners that are interfering with safety and operation. The problem could be something like rust buildup. Be sure to turn off the heater if you notice any flame discoloration, and give our experts a call right away.
For reliable furnace repair in Hickory, NC, look no further than Ace Hardware Home Services today. “Click Ace Hardware Home Services”!