Having a broken furnace is a major inconvenience, especially during cold weather. Fortunately, most furnace issues can be addressed if you catch the problem early on.
Here are the warning signs of a faulty furnace that you need to look out for:
1. Old age
The average lifespan of a furnace is between 15 to 20 years. Beyond that, you can expect your furnace to start having problems, no matter how well you maintain it.
If you’ve had your furnace for more than 15-20 years, pay close attention to any strange odors, sounds, or malfunctions it might make. When your old furnace starts exhibiting issues, call a company that specializes in an HVAC and drain cleaning in Salt Lake City and other cities to address the problem.
2. Strange smells
When you turn on your furnace for the first time after months of disuse, you will likely smell fuel around it for a short while. But if the smell doesn’t go away, or if a strange smell starts emitting from the unit, your furnace may be in need of repair. The prolonged smell of fuel or the presence of unusual odors may indicate a gas leak or excessive debris in the furnace, among many other possible issues.
3. Poor heating ability
Does your furnace have trouble heating your house properly? Are you still cold despite turning the heating on? If so, your furnace might be in its first stages of failure. Poor heating ability can indicate a malfunctioning blower fan, leaking ductwork, or a broken thermostat, to name a few potential problems. In any case, a furnace that doesn’t heat properly is a significant sign that it might break down entirely soon.
4. Bad indoor air quality
Poor indoor air quality is a common sign of a faulty HVAC system. If your furnace is poorly maintained, it can lead to an increased amount of dust mites, bacteria, allergens, and other contaminants in the air inside your home.
When people in the house start having coughs and colds more often, or your allergies are being triggered without another probable cause, check if your furnace system is the issue.
5. Weird noises
Strange noises are another obvious sign of a furnace issue. Although low rumbling is a normal noise for a furnace to make, squeaks, pops, and loud grumbling are not. If you start hearing strange noises coming from the furnace, call in a technician to diagnose the problem. In most cases, unusual furnace sounds are caused by loose or broken internal parts.
6. A pilot light that is not blue
Your furnace’s pilot light should always be blue. If the pilot light is another color, especially yellow, turn off the furnace, vacate the house, and call a professional immediately. A non-blue pilot light can indicate a ventilation problem, which could mean toxic gases like carbon monoxide are leaking into your air.
The majority of furnace problems can easily be fixed, especially if they are addressed early. Don’t wait for your heating to fail in the middle of a cold season. Watch out for these signs. Aside from keeping your house heated, catching furnace problems early can save you a lot of money on repair bills.
