Home Tips

6 Signs Your Furnace is in Need of Repair

November 11, 2022

Do you remember the last time you had your furnace checked? If it’s been a long time, don’t panic; you’re far from alone.

Many homeowners wait until there is a problem before they have it looked at by a professional. If you’re unsure whether or not it’s time for a check-up, here are some signs that your furnace may need repair.

Do you need help with your furnace? You can rely on the team at IMS for furnace repair services.

Why is your furnace important?

Everyone knows that their furnace is an important part of their homes; but why is it so important?

Here’s a few reasons why your furnace is a crucial aspect of your living space:

The furnace is responsible for heating your home.
Your furnace can be used to heat your water.
The furnace can help to enhance the quality of the air in your living space.
The furnace can help to reduce the amount of dust and similar allergens in your home.
Your furnace can help to reduce the amount of unwanted noise in your home.
The furnace can help you reduce your monthly energy bills.

Keep an eye out for these common signs that your home’s furnace needs repair:

Although most furnaces last around 15 years, it’s important to get them serviced regularly to ensure that they run efficiently and don’t cause any problems down the road.

Here are 6 common signs that home’s your furnace needs to be repaired:

Sign #1 — Your furnace is making strange noises

If your furnace starts making strange noises, it may be a sign that something is wrong. Common furnace problems that can cause noise include loose parts, a build-up of debris in the combustion chamber, or a cracked heat exchanger. If you notice any strange noises coming from your furnace, it’s best to get it assessed by a professional HVAC technician as soon as possible.

Sign #2 — Your furnace isn’t sufficiently heating your home

If you notice that your furnace isn’t heating your home evenly, it could be a sign that the blower motor is failing.

The blower motor is responsible for circulating air throughout the home, and if it’s not working properly, it can cause hot and cold spots. Another possibility is that there is an issue with the ductwork. If you notice uneven heating in your home, it’s best to have a professional HVAC technician take a look at your furnace.

Sign #3 — Your energy bills are higher than usual

If you notice that your monthly energy bills are higher than usual, it could be a sign that your home’s furnace isn’t operating as efficiently as it should be.

There are numerous reasons why this could be the case, such as an old air filter or an issue with the igniter.

Sign #4 — The pilot light is yellow instead of blue

The pilot light on your furnace should be blue when it’s operating properly. If you happen to notice that your furnace’s pilot light is yellow, it could be a sign of incomplete combustion, which can be dangerous. If you see a yellow pilot light, you should contact a professional for help right away.

Sign #5 — You can see soot around the furnace

If you notice soot around the furnace, it’s likely due to incomplete combustion. This can happen if the fuel isn’t burning properly, which can be caused by issues like dirty burners or incorrect air-to-fuel ratios. If you see soot around your furnace, you should contact a professional for help right away

Sign #6 — Your furnace is more than 15 years old

If your furnace unit is more than 15 years old, it’s likely that it’s not as efficient as newer models and may be in need of repair. Additionally, parts for older furnaces may be difficult to find and may be more expensive to replace.

Should you try to repair your furnace by yourself or call a professional HVAC technician?

Unless you have experience with HVAC systems, it is usually best to call a professional. HVAC technicians have the training and tools necessary to diagnose and fix furnace problems. In addition, they can usually do so quickly and efficiently, minimizing the amount of disruption to your home.

Furthermore, trying to repair a furnace by yourself can be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. So at the end of the day, repairing your furnace by yourself can help you save some money, but it’s risky. Because of this, it is usually better to call a professional HVAC technician to handle your furnace repairs or replacement.