Winter is coming, meaning now is the best time to ensure your heating system performs to the best of its ability. As the days grow colder, your furnace will be running more often, and the last thing you want is to be stuck without heat. Before you find yourself in a cold house this winter, keep an eye out for the following warning signs your furnace needs repair.
Increase in Energy Bills
Have you noticed a spike in your utility bills recently? If so, it might be time for furnace repair or maintenance. An increase in your utility bills compared to last year signals that your furnace is operating inefficiently and needs to be serviced.
Yellow Pilot Light
Your pilot light should be a bright blue color with a small amount of yellow at the very tip of the flame. If it looks yellow, this could be a sign of a carbon monoxide gas leak. Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas and should be checked out by a professional immediately. As an extra precaution, you should turn off your furnace and leave your house until the leak is addressed.
Strange Noises and Abnormal Smells
While furnaces can have a strange smell when first installed, over time they should lose their smell. If you find you still smell something strange or one day begin smelling something strong, and it doesn’t go away, you might want to schedule furnace maintenance. Additionally, pops, squeaks, bangs, and creaks coming from your furnace might be a warning sign that something isn’t right. Something internally may have come loose, causing the noises, so it’s vital to have your unit checked by a professional.
Frequent Cycles
A working furnace regulates the temperature by turning on when it senses cool air. When your furnace continually kicks on and off without finishing a full cycle, this is called short cycling, which indicates your furnace is malfunctioning. Causes of this include:
- Overheating
- Oversized furnace
- Thermostat malfunctions
If this issue continues, it’s best to call a professional immediately. Failure to fix this problem can cause permanent damage to your furnace, not to mention an increase in your heating bill over time. If you’re searching for an emergency furnace repair near me, look no further than Raynor Services.
Difficulty Starting the Unit
As your furnace gets older, you may find you’re having trouble turning it on and keeping it running. If it takes multiple attempts to start or it won’t start up at all, there are several ways to troubleshoot your furnace before calling in the professionals:
- Ensure your furnace is on and set to heat
- Check that the fan still works
- Check the gas supply
- If there’s a pilot light, check to see if it’s still ignited
Old
If your furnace looks old and outdated, chances are it is, and you could be due for a replacement. Typically, a furnace lasts between 15-20 years, so if you’ve had the same one since the 90s, it’s time for a new installation.
Furnace Maintenance and Repair With Raynor Services
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Schedule a furnace tuneup with Raynor Services to ensure your home stays warm throughout the long winter. We perform emergency repairs on any of the following heating system equipment:
- Gas furnaces
- Heat pumps
- Electric furnaces
- Steam radiators
- Forced air furnaces
- Radiant floor heating
From an emergency furnace repair to a total system failure, our team is here to help. Don’t let a faulty heating system ruin your season—just contact Raynor today! For day or night live assistance, call us at 609-454-6655 with your heating emergency anytime.
