We’ve survived Thanksgiving, but the holidays are far from over. There are plenty of festivities to come. And along with keeping us busy, it means that now really isn’t the time when you want to find out that your furnace is malfunctioning.
Repair needs can be kept to a minimum, but they are still somewhat inevitable. That’s why we want to make sure you have the information you need to figure out what may be going on with your heater when you notice something is off.
Be on the lookout for these warning signs so you know when to schedule a furnace repair in Charlottesville, VA.
Worried about your furnace making it through the winter? It may mean you need repairs. Here are the warning signs that will let you know it is time to schedule an appointment.
1. Reduced heating output
Your heater is on, that much you can tell, but it doesn’t seem to be doing much to heat the house up. Make sure that your vents are open. If they are then you may need to have your furnace checked out. Reduced heating output can be due to problems with energy or fuel supply or may even be due to a big leak in your ductwork.
2. Increased energy bills
Another sign of a furnace in trouble is high energy bills. Your furnace is encountering something that is leading to a larger amount of energy use even though you aren’t getting more warm air. Make sure to keep tabs on your monthly energy bills so you notice quickly when there is a big hike in your monthly dues.
3. Booming sounds
You turn on your gas-powered furnace and notice that, after a couple of minutes, it creates a big boom. What you just heard is delayed ignition of the gas in your furnace. This can be due to dirt build up in the igniters and should be dealt with promptly. The longer this goes on the bigger the impact will be, leading to larger issues like a crack in your heat exchanger.
4. Delayed response
When you turn on your furnace heater via the thermostat, the response by the system should be prompt. Delayed response from the furnace of any variety can indicate issues such as electrical problems, connection issues with the thermostat, or even problems with the fuel source.
5. Hissing noises
Are you hearing a hissing sound while your furnace is in operation? This can be a sign of more than one issue in your furnace, such as a leak in your ductwork allowing air to escape the ducts before it can heat the room. It may also be a sign of a cracked heat exchanger, with the sound being created by combustion gasses escaping the heat exchanger. If you hear hissing, especially if it is paired with sulfur smells, you’ll want to have your furnace checked out and fixed ASAP.
Having trouble with your furnace? Then it means it is time for expert repairs!
Contact Mack Morris Heating & Air Conditioning to get your repairs scheduled. We can’t control the weather outside of your home, but we can control the weather inside your home.