Before you schedule repairs with a technician, you should make sure the issue isn’t simple enough for any homeowner to fix. Issues like the furnace blowing cool air could be solved by ensuring your thermostat fan is set to AUTO instead of ON. Otherwise, the blower will run even when the furnace is not heating air. Other common causes of issues with heating are not changing your air filters regularly or needing new batteries in your thermostat. A lot of people overlook these solutions and can waste money scheduling an unnecessary repair visit. However, there are warning signs that your furnace is in bad shape and needs repair that you need to look for after you’ve exhausted your other solutions.
A Noisy Furnace
Strange noises coming from your furnace and ductwork could indicate a general mechanical problem. Furnaces have a lot of moving parts with belts and fans constantly running. If ball bearings wear out, or belts begin to fray, you’ll hear squeaking and scraping noises coming from your furnace. A clogged burner also generates quite a racket and could force you to replace your entire unit if left untreated.
Signs of Carbon Monoxide
The flames in your furnace should burn at a consistent blue. Flickering yellow or red flames indicate a possible risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Additional signs of carbon monoxide are streaks of soot, or leaking moisture from the chimney or vent. A professional can uncover the potential cause of your carbon monoxide issue and fix it and take your family out of harm’s way.
Inconsistencies in Temperature
If there are random cold and hot spots in your home, there could be an issue with your HVAC system. Leaky ductwork can cause air to not be distributed throughout your home evenly. Additionally, there may be issues with your thermostat. It may be located in a spot that’s not ideal or it could simply be malfunctioning. If the issues persist after replacing the batteries, you may need to get it replaced. Our HVAC technicians can advise you on the best location for your thermostat to combat temperature inconsistencies.
Long Gaps Between Maintenance
Furnaces usually last about 15 to 20 years as long as they undergo routine maintenance. A poorly maintained furnace will die out much sooner and need costly repairs more often. Our maintenance membership gives you two maintenance visits a year, discounts on repairs and service and the peace of knowing your system is well maintained.
If you’re in need of HVAC service in the Charleston, WV area, we would love to help. Give Dodrill Comfort & Energy Solutions a call at (304) 212-2004. We’re available 24/7!