Servicing your furnace at the start
of the cold season is the best way to ensure that it will work efficiently.
Annual servicing is also a good way to make sure problems are caught early,
when they'll be easier to repair. However, even with annual servicing and
inspections, problems can occur.
This article will educate you on how
to spot some common furnace issues. Early detection can be so important when
cold weather sets in because you want to make sure that your furnace is back up
and running when you need it most.
Your Heating System Won't Turn On
If your system won't turn on, make
sure the battery in the thermostat is still good. If so, go to the breaker box
and flip the fuse back to the on position if it was tripped.
Your Heating System Produces Cold
Air
Turning your heater on to be met
with cold air is a big problem on a cold day. Your heating unit may be putting
out cold air for several reasons. Some of the reasons can be easier for you to
troubleshoot and take care of on your own, while others require the assistance
of an HVAC technician.
First, verify you have propane in
your tank. If you just recently moved into the house, make sure that you have
had the utility provider turn on the gas.
Next, check the settings on your
thermostat. Verify that the thermostat is set to auto and that you have pressed
the right options to set the heater at a temperature higher than what the
current temp is.
A dirty filter can also cause cold
air to come out of your heater. If the system can't pull in air, then the
airflow will be restricted. What little air does come out can feel cool. Also,
your system can end up overheating, which causes the system to stop the heating
process as a safety feature.
Or maybe the heating system is
working fine, but the heated air is escaping before the air reaches the
registers. This is likely caused by leaks somewhere in the ductwork. This
scenario not only leaves you with a cold house but will spike your energy bill
immensely and cause your system to be overworked.
Your Heating System Makes a
Metal-Scraping Sound
Hearing a new sound in the form of a
loud metal-on-metal sound can be worrisome. This is the sound a heating system
tends to make when the blower wheel isn’t functioning properly.
If you hear this metal-on-metal
sound, then turn your system off right away and call
a
heating
company to come inspect your system. Your
blower wheel may be loose or broken. In either case, you need to have the
problem fixed before you run the system.
Your Heating System Makes a Bang
Sound When Started
Hearing a loud bang when you turn
your system on can mean that the ignition system is dirty. This can lead to gas
building up. Once the burners do ignite, you will hear that banging noise. This
issue can be a safety one you want to have fixed immediately to prevent carbon
monoxide from leaking or an explosion that can cause severe damage.
You Hear a Clicking Sound
When a miscommunication occurs
between the ignition and the gas due to an issue with the flame sensor, you may
hear what can be described as a clicking sound. You want to have an HVAC tech
come out right away to repair the issue.
You Hear a Squealing Sound
Your system will have belts that
move parts of the motor. When the belts wear out, they can squeal. You want to
have the problem addressed quickly, but the good news is that the repair is
generally a simple one.
Now that you have more information
on some of the things that can happen with your furnace, you'll see why routine
inspections are important. At A-1Finchum Heating & Cooling, we can take
care of your routine maintenance inspections and repairs. Contact us today for
more information.
