Regular maintenance is an important part of keeping your furnace working as intended. However, sometimes repairs have to be made as parts wear down and break over time. A broken furnace is an emergency and should be addressed as soon as possible. Many furnaces do not break entirely at once and without warning. Often, there will be signs of mechanical issues before a furnace becomes fully inoperable. By being aware of signs your furnace needs repairs, you can have it fixed before it fully breaks down suddenly. If your furnace fails when you need it, that can quickly become an emergency. That is one reason that staying on top of repairs is so important. The following are signs you should have Beaverton furnace repair as soon as possible.
Signs Your Furnace Needs Repairs
1. Your Furnace Cannot Heat Your Home:
A sign your furnace needs repairs is when it cannot effectively heat your home. A sign it is not producing hot air or is not producing enough hot air is cold spots in your home or the entire home not warming to the temperature set on your thermostat. Typically, this issue is related to problems with your furnace’s blower motor, which makes it so your furnace cannot properly circulate warm air throughout your home.
2. Odd Noises:
When your furnace is running efficiently, you may hear some noises (such as humming), but nothing concerning or abnormal. Sounds such as rattling, banging, squeaks, or pops can be a sign your furnace is having mechanical issues that need repairs and professional servicing. These sounds can point to an assortment of issues, such as problems with the blower wheel or worn-out mechanical parts.
3. The Furnace Does Not Start:
If your furnace does start at all, you should first try common fixes, such as resetting the thermostat (this varies based on your thermostat model), lowering the thermostat setting to see if it kicks on, or power cycling the furnace. If your furnace still does not turn on despite your best efforts, then this could be a sign of a more severe problem.
4. The Pilot Light Is Yellow:
If you use a natural gas furnace, the pilot light should burn blue. If the pilot light is burning yellow, this can be a sign of impending furnace failure. This could indicate a problem with your furnace’s ventilation or some leak. As leaks are hazardous, you should contact a furnace professional immediately to protect yourself from exposure to dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide.
5. Increased Utility Costs:
When a furnace needs repairs, it becomes far less efficient, having to run longer to heat your home and use more energy. This leads to a notable increase in your monthly utility bill. After checking your furnace for common issues such as a dirty filter, if problems persist, then it is time to call a professional for servicing.
Final Thoughts
Your furnace is critical for keeping your home safe and comfortable during the colder parts of the year, such as fall and winter. If you notice any performance issues or oddities, you should not wait for these problems to become worse. Reaching out to a furnace professional keeps your furnace working as expected and can prevent future breakdowns and expensive repairs.
