November 29, 2016

With the winter season just around the corner, it is essential to check if your furnace is in proper working condition to brace the long, cold months.

While your home’s furnace may seem to be in top working condition, it is good idea to have regular maintenance performed to prevent sudden problems from arising.

It is also important to remember that all maintenance checks should be conducted by an experienced and trained St. Louis HVAC technician. It is beneficial to understand what signs indicate that your furnace needs attention. Here are some of the signs to look out for:

No Heat

The first and most obvious sign that the furnace needs repair is lack of or no heat emanating from the vents. Moreover, if the furnace has been running for some time and the vents are giving out cold or room temperature air, or if the house feels cold despite a running furnace, it is time for furnace maintenance.

Increasing Bills

It is important that HVAC owners keep a tab on their utility bills. Increasing bills or abnormally spiked utility bills also indicate a problematic furnace. Another way to check the efficiency of the furnace is by keeping a tab on the amount of fuel consumed by the furnace to run. Decreasing fuel efficiency and increasing utility bills are clear indicators that a furnace needs a thorough check-up.

Burning Odors

While it is normal to smell a warming furnace during the first run after a long break, a consistent and strong burning odor that emanates throughout the house can be an indicator of malfunctioning. This should be immediately checked by a trained St. Louis HVAC technician as it could be hazardous to the safety of the home occupants.

Noises

An aging furnace often starts creaking and popping while in use. However, if the noises and sounds are frequent and intense, loud popping, whirring, banging or screeching sounds then it could be an indicator of a probable future breakdown. It is a safer option to contact a professional for a maintenance check.

Carbon Monoxide Release

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that is toxic and has the ability to slowly kill since it is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and can spread in the house undetected. It is therefore essential for homes with a running furnace to install carbon monoxide detectors. If these, at any point give a warning of the presence of the gas, the furnace should immediately undergo a service check as malfunctioning furnaces can release carbon monoxide.