It may seem really odd to call this the “end of the season” with the chillier temperatures we have had lately. But you know as well as we do that spring is right around the corner, and heat and humidity can come down on us much quicker than we expect. But before you call us for AC maintenance (which you can do any time!) it’s time to address your heating system needs.
Now, if you had your heater maintained this past fall and no problems were caught, you’re probably in good shape. This is especially true if your furnace is only a year or two old. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore this blog post. It’s always a good idea to know the signs of potential furnace repair needs.
Not sure what those indicators might be? Read on as we uncover just a few signs that should have you giving our number a dial.
Strange Noises
If you are using a furnace to heat your home, versus a boiler or radiant heating system, then you’re going to hear some noise. You will hear the air whooshing through the vents and into your home. You may hear slight rattling as the air rushes through your ductwork, and some minor clicking from the ductwork as it expands and contracts with temperature fluctuations.
What you shouldn’t hear is excessive clicking coming from the furnace system itself—this can be the sign of a cracked heat exchanger—clanging, banging, hissing, or booming. These are all signs of problems that can be not only harmful to the furnace itself, but potentially even to your household.
Concerning Smells
At the beginning of the heating season, it’s natural to smell a slight burning odor for the first few days you use your heater, especially if you haven’t had it maintained yet at that point. It’s a sign of dust burning off the jets as the furnace cycles on for the first time after sitting dormant.
But at the end of the heating season, you absolutely should not smell anything burning, or anything that you’re not used to smelling. Be sure to turn off your heater and get in touch with our team right away if you do!
A Lack of Warmth
This is, of course, a very concerning problem to have with your furnace. After all, it has one job, right? If you notice that the heating power you used to get from your vents just isn’t there, it could be the sign of many different things, from an internal problem with the furnace to damaged ductwork.
This isn’t necessarily a dangerous problem, but if the issue is related to your ductwork or your thermostat, you’ll want it fixed before the cooling season begins, because these particular problems could spell performance trouble for your air conditioner too.
Whether you know you have a repair need, or just suspect you might, we’re always happy to hear from you!
Established in 1912, Max Sr & Paul Schoenwalder Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, A Corp. is your trusted resource for reliable furnace repair in Warren, NJ.