Is your furnace in good working order for the coming winter months ahead? If you can identify furnace problems before your unit completely fails, you can avoid the discomfort and inconvenience of a failed furnace in the middle of a cold night.
Furnace repair
Here are a few important signs to look for that requires a furnace repair in Calgary.
1. Age
The quickest way to tell the age of your furnace is by the serial number on its label. The average lifespan of a furnace is 15-20 years. If your furnace is less than 15 years old, scheduling proper maintenance will help extend its life.
For Carrier furnaces, be sure to call an HVAC company that is a factory authorized Carrier dealer in Calgary. A Carrier certified technician will have the knowledge and training to diagnose and prevent any problems.
2. Smell
If your furnace has been off for the summer, it’s not unusual to smell fuel when you turn it on for the first time. Most odours go away as the unit continues running. However, call a technician if you notice the following:
- The strong smell of fuel that doesn’t go away
- A strange odour like the smell of rotten egg appears suddenly
- The smell of fuel around the unit that can indicate a gas leak
3. Difficulty starting
A furnace that has difficulty starting or needs to be restarted throughout the day may have disconnected wiring or damaged thermostats. If you’re experiencing this problem, schedule a furnace repair in Calgary to replace the damaged part.
4. Low level of heat
Pay attention to the level of heat that you feel compared to your thermostat setting. Some common causes of inadequate heat are leaking ductwork that lets air out or a thermostat that does not accurately communicate with the unit.
5. Cold air
Another clear sign of a failing furnace is cold spots in some areas of your home. This could be a sign that the furnace is not producing enough power to operate the blower fan efficiently.
6. Strange noises
Squealing, whistling, popping or banging noises should not be ignored. It may indicate a loose component inside your unit that should be looked at as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
7. Yellow pilot light
A natural gas furnace shows a blue light when it’s working properly. A yellow pilot light indicates that gasses like carbon-monoxide are not dissipating as they should. If you notice a yellow pilot light, shut off your furnace immediately and call a professional HVAC technician.
8. Activated carbon-monoxide detector
In addition to the above point, if the carbon-monoxide detector on your furnace goes off, turn off the unit right away and open the windows to ventilate your home. Call your HVAC technician as this can become a serious issue if left unattended.
9. Poor air quality
The air quality of your home is directly impacted by your furnace system. If your unit is not properly maintained, you may notice an increase in dirt, bacteria, and other airborne particles throughout your home.
Air quality problems can be as easy as replacing the filter, however, the ductwork and unit may need to be professionally cleaned if the problem persists.
10. Increased heating bill
If your furnace usage has not changed but your heating bill has increased, it could indicate a warning sign of a failing unit. A furnace that is losing its power may run longer to heat the home consistently, resulting in higher use of energy.
Final thoughts
If you notice a change in your unit or the air quality of your home, it’s important to schedule a furnace repair in Calgary as soon as possible. A professional HVAC technician can identify the issue, carry out the necessary service, and prevent any further problems.
