Your heating system is an integral part of your home. You use the furnace to keep you warm throughout the Richardson winters. To keep your furnace functioning at peak operating condition, you’ll need a tune-up from time to time. Without this tune-up, your furnace may quit working prematurely, break down often or leave you without enough heat to stay warm through winter. Read on to learn some common warning signs that your heating system is ready for a tune-up.
Unable to Keep a Comfortable Temperature
You expect the temperature in your home to match the temperature you have set on the thermostat. If your furnace struggles to keep up and doesn’t warm the house to the expected temperature, it may be time for a tune-up. There could be several reasons for this insufficient heating. Blocked vents and air ducts, the furnace not getting enough power or a system too small for your home are a few of the problems an HVAC technician will check for if your house isn’t warming as it should.
Bad Smell Coming From the Heating System
Your furnace shouldn’t produce an odor when it runs. If it does, that signals a problem. You may have dirt, dust and debris inside your heating unit or blocking your vents. If this is the case, your furnace needs a cleaning performed by a professional. If you notice a burning smell, call an HVAC technician immediately. Additionally, there are times when bugs and rodents may crawl into your system and die, leaving behind a particularly foul odor.
Furnace Makes Strange Noises
A typical furnace should operate rather quietly. You may hear louder noise when the blower runs and as the air is forced into the ducts and through the vents. However, if you begin hearing unusual or extreme noises from your heating system, it’s time to call an expert. Examples of noises that signal a problem include hissing, grinding, grating or humming.
Sudden Unexplained Increase in Utility Bills
A sudden spike in your winter heating bill with no valid explanation could signify a problem with your furnace. An HVAC technician will inspect your heater, looking for signs of damage. The components of your furnace may wear out, making the unit less efficient. As the unit becomes less efficient, it works harder to heat your home and increases utility bills.
Your Furnace Is Old
Most furnaces are designed to last 10 to 20 years under ideal conditions. If you have a furnace that is more than 10 years old, some parts of the unit are likely reaching the end of their lifespan. You’ll need regular tune-ups to identify any trouble spots and keep your furnace running efficiently. An HVAC technician can spot warning signs of soon-to-fail components and make repairs or replacements before the entire furnace fails to operate.
Furnace Cycles More Often Than Normal
A properly running furnace will turn on when the temperature of the thermostat falls below the temperature you have set. The furnace will then run, blowing out warm air, until the desired temperature has been reached. This process keeps your home comfortable without getting too hot or too cold. If your furnace starts cycling on and off more often than normal, perhaps without even reaching the desired temperature, you need to hire a professional. This short cycling of your furnace could be caused by a faulty component, the thermostat or could be because your heating unit is too large for your home.
Furnace Produces No Heat
You expect that when you turn your furnace on, you’ll soon have warm air coming from your vents. When this fails to happen, you need an expert to take a look at your heating unit. There are many reasons your furnace could fail to produce heat. You could have an electrical issue, be out of gas or have a broken part inside the unit.
To keep warm during the winter this year, you need to keep your heating unit maintained. Regular tune-ups are recommended no matter the age or condition of your furnace. However, if you spot warning signs like those listed above, you need to call a reliable HVAC technician immediately. Turn to us for heating repair!
We provide dependable HVAC service to residents in the Richardson area. In addition to maintaining heating systems, we also provide AC and indoor air quality solutions. Call Cool Experts AC today to schedule a furnace tune-up.