Now it’s true that no furnace is going to be completely silent. But if it starts making loud moaning, guttering, banging sounds, you might want to get it checked out by a professional. The noises your furnace makes should not scare you at night. If they do, you may have a loose belt or a part that is about to break.
They Should Make Heat
Seems a little obvious, right? This can be hard to tell, though, especially when the weather is not yet cold. If you feel a nip in the air and you crank up the thermostat but still need to throw on an extra sweater, you might need to consult a furnace repair service. It could be an issue with the thermostat itself, but it could also be a more advanced issue like a leaking duct.
Suddenly High Electric Bills
If all of a sudden, for no reason you can discern, your electric bill goes through the roof, you might have an efficiency problem with your furnace: your bill goes up because your unit is using extra electricity to do its job.
A Yellow Pilot Light
If you check on your furnace and see a yellow pilot light, this could indicate trouble. You might have an imbalance in the combination of gasses or have a gas you do not want, such as carbon monoxide. The ideal pilot light flame should be blue.
Increased Sneezing or Asthma Attacks
If you or your family start experiencing more breathing-related troubles such as asthma attacks or allergic reactions, you might need furnace repair. Your unit may be putting mold and dust out into the air, allowing it to circulate through your home.
Ice Where It Shouldn’t Be
Ice in your basement or on your roof can indicate issues. It could mean that your furnace is no longer able to heat your entire home. It could also mean that the heat is leaking up through the attic and not circulating well throughout the house. If you find ice anywhere in your home but your freezer, you should call in a professional to check it out.
Your Furnace Is Old
Furnaces usually last between 12 and 15 years. If your unit is around this age or older, you may want to have it inspected by a professional, especially if you also notice any of these signs of trouble. If it’s really old, you may need furnace repair or maybe even a replacement.