Don't Wait Until Winter: Signs Your Furnace Needs Repairs Before the Cold Weather Returns
If your furnace was giving you problems last winter, don't postpone the repairs. The last thing you want to do is start winter with furnace problems. Once your furnace starts showing signs of distress, it's just a matter of time before you're left to deal with a total breakdown. If your furnace exhibits any of the signs described below, have your furnace repaired before winter.
Your Furnace Lags at Startup
When you turn your thermostat on, you expect your furnace to fire right up. If you have your furnace on already, you expect it to cycle through every time the temperature drops below the current setting. If those two things don't happen, you need to have your furnace repaired. Lag time at startup is a sure sign that there's something wrong with your furnace. It's also important to watch for run time. If your furnace shuts off before reaching the proper temperature setting, you need to contact the repair company.
Your Furnace Is Polluting the Air
If your furnace is polluting your air, it's time for repairs. Your furnace shouldn't spew dirt or dust into the air. It also shouldn't fill your home with unpleasant odors. Any of those problems indicates that something's wrong with your furnace. If you're not sure that your furnace is spewing dirt or dust into your home, do the dust test. Wipe down the surface of your furniture to remove the dust. Then, run your furnace through several cycles. Once you turn the furnace off, inspect your furniture. If you can see a thin layer of dust on your furniture, you need to have your furnace repaired as soon as possible.
Your Furnace Tripped the CO2 Alarm
If you don't have a CO2 monitor in your home, you need to have one installed. For maximum safety, your home should have two different monitors; a smoke detector and a CO2 monitor. CO2 monitors are designed to notify you as soon as CO2 is detected. If your CO2 alarm sounds, leave your home immediately. Once you've gotten to safety, call 911 and your furnace repair company. You'll need to have your furnace inspected for defects.
Your Furnace Reached Retirement Age
If your furnace has broken down again, call your furnace repair technician. If your furnace has reached retirement age, it might be time to talk to your HVAC contractor about installing a new unit. Furnaces usually last anywhere from 18 to 20 years. Once your furnace reaches that age, you can expect it to break down more often. It's often best to replace your furnace before it breaks down for the final time.
If you need furnace repairs, contact an HVAC contractor in your area.
