Failure in your house's heating system can frustrate you, especially during the winter season or the cold nights. You need to ensure proper and regular furnace maintenance to maintain your furnace quality. You need to be keen on the furnace's performance for proper functionality. Routine inspection and on-time identification of these faults will ease your maintenance worries and reduce your cost of furnace repairs.
Here are some of the warning signs you should watch out for:
Strange Noises
Hearing grinding, squealing, popping, or rattling noises may indicate a problem in the furnace and heating system. Each type of noise is associated with different faults in the system. Some may be easy to solve, like tightening loose panels or normal popping sounds during expansion and cooling.
It would help if you learned how to differentiate these sounds and know when to involve the experts. It will also help if you learn simple troubleshooting measures you can use as different fixes and ease the technician's works.
Yellow Flames From the Burners
The furnace flame should be blue and even. Contaminants like dirt can result in a dirty burner, giving you a yellow flame that is sooty and inefficient. You need to inspect and clean your burner to prevent such occurrences regularly.
Cleaning the burner with a vacuum cleaner usually does the trick. You need to schedule regular cleaning at least once a year. However, ensure you follow safety precautions to avoid any damages.
High Electricity Bills
Every household has its expected electricity bill. A spike in the bill due to a faulty furnace increases your expenses, thus interfering with your budget. It is usually due to the furnace overworking to maintain the set temperatures, thus either working overtime and consuming more energy—signs of an aging furnace. Older furnaces will always require more care and maintenance. Therefore, you should keep this in mind.
Furnace Blowing Cold Air
The most common reason for furnaces blowing cold air is clogged air filters, malfunctioning thermostat fan, or breaker. Changing the filters during maintenance will help alleviate this problem. On the other hand, it is also an easy task to do if you notice it before or after the scheduled maintenance. If the problem persists after replacing the filter, consult an expert to check on your furnace and advise you accordingly.
The bottom line is, you need to learn basic furnace maintenance procedures that will help you maintain excellent functionality. Fortunately, there is always a solution for every furnace fault: work with local furnace technicians. Reach out to furnace repair companies like Powder River Heating & Air Conditioning Inc to learn more.