Fall is in the air and colder temperatures are right around the corner. Most homeowners will soon be switching the thermostat from cool to heat for the first time in months. Here are 4 common problematic questions most homeowners will one day ask themselves:
What’s that noise?
There are always some sounds that come from a furnace. If your house is quiet, you will typically here your unit kick on with perhaps a few chirps. A loud, rattling or banging noise, especially in a noticeable pattern, however, means it’s time to call a professional. Anything from loose parts to faulty belts can be the cause of strange rumblings coming from your furnace. Upon inspection, be sure to let our professional technicians know what the sounds are so we can more efficiently diagnose the problem.
What’s that smell?
If you notice an odd smell filtering through your house when you turn on the heat for the first time, it may be time to call a professional. Gas leaks or excessive dust inside the unit are two common culprits for a foul odor from your ducts. Cleaning or replacing the filters regularly will help reduce dust build up and hence improve air quality. In addition, having your ducts cleaned annually by a professional is always recommended.
Is my furnace talking to me in Morris code?
If your furnace has a sequence of blinking lights on the control board, it’s for sure time to call a professional. Each manufacturer has imbedded error codes communicated through flashing sequences. Typically if you’re furnace is blinking at you, you have a problem that needs to be diagnosed by a professional.
Why is my bill so high, but my house is still cold?
There are many things that improve with age; wine, cheese, your spouse. Your furnace, however, is not one of them. The life expectancy of a furnace is anywhere from 10-15 years depending on the manufacturer and model. Older furnaces are less efficient both in terms of heating function and cost. If your furnace just isn’t keeping up with your demands, it may be time for a newer model.
Before you find yourself asking these questions, be proactive and schedule an annual clean-and-check maintenance to stop furnace problems before they start.