When your heating system isn’t working as hard or as often during warmer months, it is not surprising you don’t notice your home needs furnace repair. But to save you from an unwanted surprise, we encourage you to test your furnace now, even when you think nothing is wrong with it. That way, if some of the signs we’re about to share in this article pop up, you’ll still have time to find a furnace repair in Pittsburgh and get the issue sorted before temperatures drop.
1. Your Furnace Isn’t Producing Enough Heat
Weak or Cool Air From the Vents
The easiest test you can do is to turn on the furnace and feel the air coming out of the vents. If the heat feels weaker than usual or cool air comes out instead of the intended heat, it could be a sign you need to type ‘furnace repair in Pittsburgh’ into your search engine and scroll to find the best option for your home.
Poor Airflow
Your furnace may not be able to distribute heat effectively, and surely, there must be a reason behind it. Poor airflow is usually caused by something as simple as clogged air filters or blocked vents, but it can also point to a bigger problem with the ductwork or blower motor. When the obvious is not the cause, it’s best to leave the matter to a professional now.
Uneven Heating Throughout the House
After turning on the heating system, go to different rooms of your house and pay attention to the temperature, whether or not some rooms feel warm while others remain noticeably cold. Uneven heating can be a sign that your furnace isn’t distributing heat properly and may lead to issues with the thermostat, ductwork, or other components.
Possible Causes
The possible cause may be fairly simple, like clogged air filters or blocked vents, which can be tackled DIY-style. However, other cases, such as issues with the ductwork, blower motor, or other furnace components that affect the effectiveness of your system to produce and distribute the heat throughout your entire home, may require professional help to make sure you get things back on track before winter comes.
2. Your Furnace Is Making Unusual Noises
Common Sounds to Watch For
Besides how it feels, you also need to listen to any unusual noises coming out of your furnace. A soft hum or gentle sound of air is usually normal. What’s not normal is grinding, banging, rattling, or squealing sounds. More often than not, they’re the kind of sound your furnace makes to get your attention and prompt you to check the system as soon as possible.
What These Noises May Indicate
Grinding usually comes from a moving component, like a blower motor; banging may be caused by restricted airflow or another mechanical issue; rattling from a loose internal component; and squealing may point to a worn belt or other part that struggles to move properly. The bottom line is that any new noise that is unusually loud and keeps coming back warrants a professional check.
3. Your Energy Bills Suddenly Increase
Reduced Efficiency
For many homeowners, including you perhaps, this may be the biggest push to start looking for furnace repair in Pittsburgh. After all, no one wants to pay more while getting less heat or, worse, no heat at all. Though you may need to pay more now, you’ll thank yourself when you realize that you’ve saved yourself from unnecessary energy use and costlier problems down the road.
Common Causes
All things that may cause your furnace to stop working efficiently can make your energy bills higher–from dirty air filters, aging furnace parts to poor airflow, ductwork issues, or a furnace that is constantly cycling. Sometimes, the cause may be something you can address yourself, but other times it’s best to have a furnace repair from an expert.
4. Your Furnace Turns On and Off Frequently
What Is Short Cycling?
If you’re not sure what this term implies, don’t worry because you’re certainly not the first homeowner. Simply put, short cycling means your furnace turns on and off too frequently, running only a few minutes before shutting down and starting again shortly after. Even though it may not seem like a big deal at first, letting this go on for long will put unnecessary strain on your furnace.
Why It Happens
Several reasons may include a clogged air filter that will restrict the airflow and eventually cause your system to overheat, a faulty thermostat that sends the wrong signals to your furnace, or a faulty limit switch. In less common cases, an oversized furnace can also heat your home too quickly and shut off before completing a proper cycle.
Why It Should Be Addressed
As we said before, short cycling makes your furnace work harder than it should. In the long run, your furnace’s components will take the toll and break down faster, while your energy bill will undoubtedly increase. So, before you put your furnace repair on hold, a quick check can save you from a bigger, more expensive problem later.
5. Strange Smells Coming From the Furnace
Dust Odors
After using your eyes and ears to sense problems, you can also rely on your nose to sniff one out–literally. When you first turn on your furnace after it has been sitting unused during the warm season, you may notice a dusty smell around the room that fades after a while. However, if it lingers or becomes unusually strong, your nose may be telling you to have your furnace checked.
Burning Smells
A burning smell is a whole different story. A burning odor coming from your furnace may be caused by an electrical problem, an overheated motor, or components getting too hot. If you smell that, your first instinct should be to turn the system off. After that, look for furnace repair in Pittsburgh to help you figure out the problem and handle it safely.
Gas Odors
This is one situation where you shouldn’t wait for a furnace repair appointment. Instead, leave the area right away, avoid flames, sparks, and electrical switches, and contact your gas utility or emergency services from a safe location. All these preventative measures are necessary because a strong gas odor may indicate a gas leak, which can be extremely dangerous.
Your Furnace Is More Than 15-20 Years Old
Aging Systems Need More Repairs
This particular segment is here for a reason: we want to give you a little reminder. Like most things, your furnace won’t last forever, and older systems are more likely to have worn-out parts, reduced efficiency, and recurring issues. Hence, you need to pay closer attention to its performance and address any problems as they arise.
Efficiency Deadlines Over Time
Years of use can take a toll on your furnace’s components, making the system work harder. You may notice this through the signs we’ve mentioned before, or simply in a home that doesn’t feel as comfortable as it did before. Luckily, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace the whole system now. With regular maintenance and timely repair when needed, you can keep your system running for as long as possible.
Repair or Replace?
At some point, you need to know when to thank your furnace for its years of service and let it rest permanently. If your old furnace keeps breaking down or has become less and less efficient, replacing it may make more sense than continuing to put money into it. If you’re not sure, a professional assessment can help you determine which stage your furnace is currently in.
What Should You Do if You Notice These Signs?
Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs
Now that you know what to look, listen, and smell for, make sure your loved ones are safe first once you notice the signs. Only after can you take the necessary steps to handle the problem. If it is something simple, like a dirty filter or blocked vent, you may be able to take care of it yourself.
Schedule Professional Furnace Repair
If the problem keeps coming back or involves the furnace itself, don’t wait too long to call a professional for furnace repair. Schedule a furnace repair and let a trained technician inspect your system, identify the cause, and get your furnace back on track. Taking care of the problem now can save you from a bigger headache later.
End Note
Your furnace doesn’t have to wait until the cold weather arrives to tell you something is wrong. If you’ve noticed any of these signs, now is a good time to get ahead of the problem and make sure your home is ready for winter.
Reach out to Johnson’s Heating today.
Recent Comments