Warning Signs That Your Furnace Needs To Be Repaired Or Replaced

Construction & Contractors Blog

Your furnace is a pretty expensive appliance in your home. You need to keep it well maintained if you want it to continue to work properly and efficiently year after year. Part of furnace maintenance is paying special attention to odd noises and other things that are out of the ordinary - ignoring warning signs can lead to bigger and costlier issues. See below for some warning signs you should look out for with your furnace.

Rattling Noises

If your furnace is making rattling noises, it could be the start of a broken heat exchanger. If your heat exchanger is broken, it can cause toxins to be released into your home. A rattling noise can also be a sign that a door panel is loose. It's best to turn off your furnace and have it looked at by a professional, just in case.

Flickering Pilot Light

Your pilot light should glow blue. If it is flickering or yellow, it could be a sign that there is too much carbon dioxide. You can make an adjustment to the pilot light screw to see if that helps turn the pilot light back to blue. If it doesn't turn back to blue, you may want to call a furnace repairman.

Squealing Noise

If your furnace is making a squealing noise, it could be a sign that your blower belt is bad or slipping (the blower belt is usually located towards the bottom of your furnace). It could also be a sign that the ball bearings near the blower need to be lubricated. Turn off your furnace to try and lubricate the bearings to see if that helps. If it doesn't, inspect the blower belt and have it replaced if it is frayed.

Other Warning Signs

• Age Of Your Furnace. As much as you'd like your furnace to last forever, they do need to be replaced after time. If your furnace is on the older side (~20 years old), you may want to start looking for a new furnace.
• High Cost Of Repair. If you are constantly repairing your furnace, the cost to repair may eventually outweigh the cost to simply replace. If you have a lot of repair bills, it may be time to start looking at a new furnace.
• Inefficient Heating. If your furnace is having problems heating your home efficiently, you may want to look into a new furnace to help you save money on your heating costs. Newer furnaces are more energy efficient and could save you money on your heating bills each month.

Proper maintenance of your furnace, including watching for warning signs will help lengthen the life of your furnace. If you have any of these issues, contact a company like Custom Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning Inc to come check your furnace out for you and take care of any necessary repairs.

17 February 2016