Common Signs to Look Out for When It’s Time for a Furnace Repair or Maintenance | Reliable Heating System Services Near You
A reliable heating system is a must, especially during cold winter months. If your home is located somewhere that is prone to harsh, snowy weather, then all the more reason to invest in furnace installation and maintenance. You’ll never know when the cold will come creeping in and if you only decide to take action when the winter season has already come, brace yourself (and your wallet) for the staggering fees that go hand in hand with peak months.
If you want to avoid spending more for a furnace repair or maintenance service, don’t wait until the last minute to schedule the fix (read more). There are many benefits to booking ahead of time, the best of which is landing great deals with big cost savings. But wait, how do you know when it’s time to call in the professionals for a repair anyway?
Like many new homeowners, you’re probably not too familiar with the warning signs that you should look out for to catch furnace issues early. As you may already know, early detection and prompt action are always the key to prolonging the lifespan of many household items, appliances, and installations. If you’re able to spot problems early – better yet, apply preventative measures such as regular maintenance to minimize the chances of issues occurring at all – you can save yourself a ton just by avoiding the steep costs of emergency repairs.
If you don’t know what warning signs to watch out for, we’re here to help you out. Here are a few very important signs that your furnace or heating system needs urgent attention:
It Starts Emitting Weird or Toxic Smells
If you’re starting to detect unusual smells coming from your furnace, especially when you start it up or while it’s operating, be sure to call professionals like the guys at Southern Comfort Mechanical of Frisco for a check-up right away. For all you know, there might be a gas leak problem happening or the carbon monoxide levels that the furnace emits are getting alarmingly high. It’s important to have this issue resolved sooner rather than later as it might lead to dangerous consequences.
It’s Making Unusual Noises
If your furnace or heating system starts making sounds that you know for a fact have not been present before, then a furnace check-up may be long overdue. Before you jump to wild conclusions however and start counting all the dollar signs that will come with the repair job, know that not all noise-related issues mean big repair jobs.
Most times, it could mean that some parts have become loose or that the machine requires cleaning. That being said, don’t put off the check-up worrying about costs as prolonging it might lead to bigger, more expensive problems. Here’s how often you should be cleaning your furnace: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-often-should-you-have-furnace-inspection.htm.
Your Electricity Bills Are Spiking Up
If your electricity bill spiked up for no reason (i.e., you have not added any new appliance to your home or you have not increased your usage of existing appliances), that could be another warning sign that your heating system is not performing at optimum capacity. This likely means that your heating system is due for a thorough cleaning; there may be blockages that prevent the device from working at peak conditions. There could also be damages that are causing the energy leak which is why your electricity usage is higher than normal.
It’s Not Evenly Heating Your House
Lastly, if your furnace or heating system doesn’t seem to be doing its job efficiently (i.e., warming your house evenly), then there is likely an issue with its internal components. You should particularly suspect damage when your heating system is not distributing heat evenly or it cannot maintain the desired temperature consistently. So, if one minute your house is warm, then it’s gone cold the next, you should seek professional help. This is beyond what DIY methods can handle.
Again, don’t hesitate to call in the pros for fear of high repair fees. It’s best to attend to the damage while the issues are still minor rather than waiting for the problem to escalate to something bigger before you take action.
Maintenance Is Key
While early detection is key to making sure that small issues don’t escalate to bigger problems, prevention is still by far the best way to keep your heating system in optimal condition. You can prevent a lot of problems by regularly maintaining your furnace and heating system. Scheduling for a quick check-up every 3 months or so is a good preventative measure to put into practice. This should keep your heating system in great condition for a very long time.
