Furnaces aren’t equipped with complex computer systems that alert you to problems as soon as they start to occur (at least not yet), so often major malfunctions can sneak up on you.
You don’t want your furnace to catch you by surprise in the middle of winter when it abruptly breaks down. The best way to detect early problems is to know the warning signs.
Below we’ve listed the ways to tell you that you need to call us for furnace repair in Altamonte Springs, FL. When in doubt, always rely on the professionals to diagnose your furnace troubles and find solutions.
Strange Noises
Furnaces are designed to create minimal noise as they run. When your furnace comes on, you’ll hear the burners ignite and the sound of the blower fan, and when it shuts down you might hear some clicking—but you shouldn’t hear more than that.
Unusual or loud noises can warn of a range of issues. Listen for sounds like clanging, screeching, banging, grinding, and booming, as these are the most common warning noises.
Abnormal Runtime
A furnace will run in heating cycles that last for 15 to 20 minutes, and during periods of regular use will go through around three cycles per hour.
If you notice that your furnace is either running for too long or is going through multiple short cycles of less than 10 minutes each, it’s a good reason to call for professionals. Short-cycling is a frequent problem that can point toward numerous serious malfunctions.
Uneven Heating
When a furnace starts to lose its heating capacity, you’ll first detect it as uneven heating around the house. The center of the home will still warm up as expected, but more distant rooms along the ventilation system will feel cooler.
This often indicates that the furnace is starting to fail, so don’t hesitate to call for professionals to come inspect the system.
Extremely High Heating Bills
Did you look at your last heating bill in shock? An abrupt rise in your heating costs that you can’t account for often indicates that something is amiss with the furnace. Most furnace malfunctions will force the system to work harder than necessary and drain more power.
Odd Odors from the Vents
A furnace will send out a dusty smell when it first turns on for the season. This is normal; it’s the dirt along the heat exchanger burning off after months going unused.
This odor will fade after an hour. After that, you shouldn’t smell anything noticeable from the air coming from the vents. If moldy, sour, or rotten odors start wafting from the vents, shut the furnace off immediately and call for assistance. A “rotten egg” smell often indicates gas leaks somewhere.
Finicky Thermostat
You should be able to set your thermostat at a single temperature for most of the day and enjoy an ideal level of heating.
But when you find that you have to keep adjusting the thermostat to find the right temperature because the heat levels swing between too high and too low, then you either have a thermostat problem or a furnace problem. Our technicians can find out which and have it fixed.
Rely on Facemyer Air Conditioning and Heating to fix your furnace troubles: Exceeding Your Expectations With Comfort.