Springtime is just around the corner. You probably know as well as our team does that warmer temperatures can be here to stay any day now. But if our winter temperatures were any indication, mother nature can surprise us with some cold spells even into May.
Whether we do have unexpected cold weather or not, you want to have a fully functional heater to get you through the rest of this heating season, and be ready for you next fall too—with professional maintenance, of course.
That being said, if you had maintenance done this past fall, and if you managed any repair needs you had at the time, then your heater is probably in great shape and likely won’t have severe repair needs. It’s a wise idea to be aware of any signs of a furnace that’s malfunctioning so you can rely on it now and later.
Read on to learn what these signs are:
Loud and/or Unexpected Sounds
If you use a furnace as your home heating choice, you’ll always hear some sort of sound coming from it as it runs. This might include the air “whoosing” through the vents, and potentially even the slight rattle of ductwork as the air temperature inside of it changes and causes the ductwork to expand and contract.
What you shouldn’t hear coming from your furnace, though, are sounds that are out of the ordinary. This can include clanging, banging, excessive clicking as the system cycles down, and more. Excessive clicking is especially concerning. Why? Because what you might be hearing is a cracked heat exchanger contracting as it cools down. Cracks in the heat exchanger invite carbon monoxide into your living space, which could lead to potentially dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning.
A few other sounds that should lead you to call our team include hissing, clanging, or screeching, all of which could indicate different issues with your heating system.
Odd Smells
The only time you should ever smell anything coming from your furnace is at the very beginning of the heating season. The reason for this is that dirt will burn off the jets, burners, and heat exchangers and you’ll smell it burning off. The smell should dissipate within a few days, if not quicker.
However, if you’re smelling a burning or an acrid smell this late in the year, then it’s definitely a sign of an urgent problem. The best way to stay on the safe side, shut your heating system down and give our team a call.
Lukewarm Air from the Vents
This can be a really frustrating problem to have with your heating system, right? After all, your furnace has one job, right? So, if you’re noticing cool or lukewarm air coming out of the vents when the furnace is running, it’s worth giving our team a call.
Lukewarm air can be a sign of a potentially hazardous problem in the case of a gas-powered heater. Even with an electric one, a lack of warm air or uneven heating can be a sign of problems with the ductwork or the thermostat. These will both have an impact on your air conditioning system in addition to your furnace, so it’s best to get this taken care of right away.
Contact Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort, Inc. for professional heating repairs in Sacramento and beyond!