Nobody should have to sit around wondering if their heating system will break down at any given moment. Of course, if you have yours professionally maintained on an annual basis, and if you know the signs of a furnace in disrepair, you don’t need to worry about this!
Oh wait, you don’t know what the signs are? That’s okay, this is what we’re here for!
First off, we want to reiterate that M word we mentioned above–maintenance. Whether you have a gas-powered furnace or an electric heater in your home, you’ll want to have professional maintenance done once a year. This helps to ensure that your furnace will work as effectively and efficiently as possible for as long as possible. Additionally, maintenance will help you avoid up to 85% of the repairs your furnace might otherwise need.
This doesn’t mean your system will never need repairs, however, which is why we mentioned signs you should watch out for. Read on to learn what these signs are.
Loud/Unfamiliar Noises
It can sometimes be difficult to detect a problem with your heating system if that problem isn’t actually getting in the immediate way of your comfort. A strange noise coming from the cabinet of your furnace, for example, may be something you’d just brush off at first. It’s not impacting how hot the air is coming through your vents, so why bother addressing it, right?
Well, this can be an indication of something that will grow into a much bigger problem pretty soon. For example, a buzzing noise can be the sign of something wrong with the electrical connections in the system, leading to a potential fire hazard. A screeching sound can be the sign of a worn-out fan belt that could break at any moment. Popping or banging can indicate a dangerous problem with the burners.
High Utility Bills
Look, we understand… everyone probably thinks that their energy bills are too high. This is a relatively subjective concept, right? But what we want you to consider is how your heating bills look when compared to last year’s. If you’ve uses your furnace the same way as last year, but your heating bills have risen, then it’s time to have the system inspected.
Something is causing it to work inefficiently in this case, and there’s no time like the present to get it checked out.
Lack of Heating Power
This is a pretty apparent sign that something is amiss, but it’s still one that gets brushed off–usually because the air is still a bit lukewarm, and maybe it’s a mild winter day.
But we don’t want to you to just brush this off. If you turn up your thermostat and still don’t seem to be getting the heat you’ve come to know and expect, then it’s time to give us a call!
Short-Cycling
This is the name given to the process where an HVAC system cycles on and off rapidly, never completing a full cycle. A furnace should run in 15-minute increments, 2-3 times an hour. If this isn’t on par with your system, then something is wrong.
Premier HVAC Services is your trusted resource for furnace service in Chambersburg, PA. Contact us today!