The older your furnace is, the more likely it is that you need to invest in repairs. Of course, even newer heaters can experience expected heater repair needs from time to time. This is why it’s so important to be aware of the signs that can indicate your furnace needs some TLC.
If you ignore the early signs of repair needs, you’ll be left scheduling more expensive service to address a total furnace breakdown. It’s time to prioritize furnace repair in Winston Salem to keep your home warm without any unexpected breakdowns in the coming winter season.
1. Unusual Sounds
Hearing an unusual sound is perhaps the most common sign of furnace problems. Examples of concerning sounds coming from your furnace include:
- Booming – This is particularly concerning when you have a gas furnace. Booming indicates an explosion happening in the heat exchanger because too much gas releases or the flame ignites too late. This explosion can put a lot of strain on your unit and lead to a total system replacement.
- Ratting or tapping – Ductwork is a common culprit for this type of sound. If you hear persistent rattling or tapping, your ductwork may need to be secured. It’s equally possible that there is a small or lightweight component inside your furnace loose and moving around.
- Squealing – This sound usually happens when a belt is loose or wearing out. When a belt is secure, it doesn’t make a sound during operation. Squealing can mean a belt is out of place. It can also mean that there is poor airflow somewhere in the system due to a blockage.
- Clicking – You might hear clicking just a few times when your furnace first turns on for a heating cycle. Hearing persistent clicking means that your furnace is struggling to turn on for a cycle.
- Humming – If you hear this sound, it may mean that the transformer inside of your furnace is malfunctioning. It hums if it is struggling to convert electricity to the correct voltage for your particular heater.
2. Changes in Operation
If you notice your furnace turning on and off frequently, something is wrong. The same thing goes if your furnace is turning on and staying on without cycling off after 10 minutes or so. Your furnace is designed to work in specific heating cycles, and changes to those cycles should be taken seriously.
Something inside the system may be malfunctioning and preventing regular operation. The problem may not even be with your furnace itself. Instead, your thermostat may be to blame. You may be tempted to ignore unusual changes in how your furnace cycles, but it’s better to be proactive and avoid greater problems later on.
3. Lack of Heat
It may seem obvious that a furnace lacking heat is a problem. But at this time of year when temperatures are milder, it may not bother you. However, even at this time of year, your furnace should be producing specifically hot air to warm up your home.
4. Yellow Flame
If you have a gas furnace, seeing a yellow flame is a problem. The flame inside of your gas furnace should always burn bright blue. Any color other than blue means that something is wrong. There may be a lack of airflow, a dirty burner, or a problem with the gas burning off completely.
5. Rust or Corrosion
If you notice any part of your furnace corroding, you need to schedule service right away. Rust cannot be reversed once it begins, and you want to prevent it from spreading. Our team can replace any rusting components to protect the rest of your heater from the corrosion.
Contact All-Phase Cooling and Heating for furnace service in High Point, NC. Making Your Home More Comfortable Is What We Do Best.