As an essential part of your HVAC system, your furnace is integral to your home’s safety and comfort. However, gas, oil, and electric furnaces can experience significant issues. When your system starts sounding more like an old car than a modern heating appliance, it’s probably an indication that something is amiss.
Without an adequate heating system throughout the winter, your home can quickly become unlivable. Loud, overperforming, and strange-smelling furnaces can all be indications that your HVAC is experiencing issues. But if you notice these warning signals, what should you do?
In this article, The Air King’s HVAC experts help you understand why your furnace may be malfunctioning and provide some recommendations for resolving issues. We discuss when you should bring in a professional and offer guidance on troubleshooting some common furnace problems.
The Importance of HVAC and Furnace Maintenance
Before exploring some common issues with household furnaces, we want to briefly touch on the importance of HVAC maintenance generally.
Investing in preventative maintenance and regular health assessments of your heating and cooling systems will pay dividends in the long run. From reducing fire risks to improving air quality, taking the time to ensure your HVAC performs optimally is essential to its longevity.
Some of the most significant benefits of regular furnace maintenance include:
- Improved efficiency
- Extended equipment lifespan
- Enhanced safety
- Better indoor air quality
- Consistent heating year-round
- Compliance with warranty requirements
The more time and money you put into preserving your furnace, the longer it will last, and the better its performance will be.
When Should I Call an HVAC Contractor?
When you experience an issue with your furnace, you may want to call an HVAC contractor straight away to ensure there are no underlying problems. However, if you’re a DIY enthusiast or feel that you may be able to resolve your furnace troubles yourself, you may only need to call a repair expert in case of emergency.
If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, your furnace’s burner flame is a yellow color (instead of blue), or you’ve noticed significantly worsening air quality in your home, it’s crucial that you contact a professional as soon as possible. Serious problems are usually best left to experts, so make sure you have the number of a reputable repair team close by.
Common Troubleshooting Questions: A Furnace Repair Company Answers
As a homeowner with a central HVAC and furnace, you’ll likely encounter anomalies and performance issues as your system ages. However, not all issues require the intervention of a professional, and understanding common problems with furnaces should provide you with some added comfort.
Furnace repair companies deal with an extensive range of problems, and some of the most common questions and concerns posed by homeowners include the following:
Why is My Furnace Making Strange Noises?
If you notice whistling, humming, or banging noises coming from your furnace, it’s important to take note of the frequency and severity of the sound.
Certain noises, like popping, clicking, or rattling, can indicate that your ductwork is expanding or contracting with changing temperatures. They may also be the result of clogged filters restricting airflow, which can be fixed by changing your filter.
However, hissing, rumbling, or buzzing can indicate mechanical failures and problems with your burner, both of which can be quite severe. If the noises are persistent or increasing in severity, turn your furnace off and get in touch with a repair professional as soon as possible.
How Do I Light the Pilot on My Furnace?
Although most newer and electrical furnaces don’t have traditional pilot lights that burn constantly, older homes with gas and oil furnaces do. It’s entirely normal for pilot lights to go out on older systems, and it may be the result of your ventilation setup or strong wind.
If your pilot light does go out and you want to restart it yourself, make sure you carefully read the instructions on your furnace before proceeding. After you’ve read the instructions, switch your pilot to the “off” position and wait at least five minutes to give the gas time to dissipate. From there, your system should have clear instructions for manually relighting the pilot.
If you need help or are uncomfortable with the process, don’t be afraid to reach out to a licensed professional.
Why Does My Furnace Smell?
When you notice an unusual odor like rotten eggs, burnt wax, or burning dust coming out of your vents, there are a few courses of action you can take. If it smells like dust or burnt wax, you may need to replace your air filter or give your furnace some time to get back to normal after not using it for a while.
However, some odors can indicate severe problems such as mechanical failures or gas leaks, both of which require the assistance of professionals. If you smell the rotten egg odor of gas, immediately turn off your system if it’s safe to do so, contact an emergency repair service, and remove yourself from the premises. If the smell is quickly filling multiple rooms or rapidly growing stronger, you need to leave right away.
Licensed HVAC Contractors Will Provide Long-Lasting Repair Solutions
When your furnace presents new problems or consistently underperforms, you’ll have to bring in licensed HVAC contractors and repair technicians. Partnering with trained professionals is the surest way to keep your property safe and address issues before they result in severe damage.
HVAC contractors will have the skills, experience, and equipment to provide long-lasting solutions and address your furnace’s problems at their core. Whether it’s mechanical wear and tear, airflow blockages, or short cycling, a licensed repair specialist will adhere to industry best practices to keep you and your property safe.
Schedule The Air King’s Contractors for a Furnace Health Assessment
At The Air King, our reputation as a trustworthy furnace repair team is the result of years of hard work and dedication to our clients dating back to our foundation in 1989. Whether you want a system health assessment or help changing your air filter, we’ll be happy to assist you.
As industry leaders, we’re known for our dependability and work with meticulous attention to detail to assess the root cause of your problems and resolve them efficiently.
Call us at (313) 274-4320 to learn more about our services and schedule a risk-free consultation with an experienced technician today.