Purchasing, installing, and operating a home’s heating system does not come cheap. Therefore, it is important to learn the most common warning signs that a furnace repair is needed in your Edmonton home. Knowing these red flags can prevent a total furnace breakdown and the expense of replacing the entire system.
Replace vs. Repair
It is only natural for homeowners to avoid costly purchases, such as replacing an old heating system with a new one. As much as possible, homeowners want to maximize the usability of their existing furnaces. Unfortunately, due to a combination of neglect and age, replacing a furnace becomes inevitable.
Still, you can postpone the imminent replacement of your home furnace by being attentive to telltale signs that your system is about to suffer a major breakdown, and then obtaining the proper repairs.
There’s a Strange Noise while the Furnace Is in Operation
One of the telltale signs of a major furnace failure is when you hear odd popping noises or squeaks coming from your furnace while it is in operation. Old furnaces sometimes make some noise, but strange popping, squeaking, rattling, squealing, or grinding are all indicative of something running awry inside your furnace. It could be a loose part or a part that is wearing out.
While some noises can be fixed with a handy screwdriver, squealing and grinding noises might mean that your motor bearings are already worn out and in need of quick replacement. If this happens, you need to call a professional for repair or replacement.
You Are Seeing a Yellow Pilot Light
Pilot lights should exude a consistent, bright-blue flame. If ever you notice that your pilot light’s flame is flickering yellow, then turn off your furnace, shut off the gas line, and get your family out of the house before calling a professional to inspect your furnace.
A yellow light signals that your furnace is burning poisonous and odorless carbon monoxide. Low-level exposure to carbon monoxide can cause nausea, headaches, and lightheadedness, while high-level exposure can lead to much more disastrous results.
Your Furnace Keeps Blowing Dry and Dusty Air, or Not Blowing Any Air at All
If your furnace is already on, but it keeps producing dry, dusty air or no air at all, then it might be time to either clean or replace the furnace filter. It might also mean that your furnace is experiencing technical problems with its ductwork and blower fan. Or, it might simply be just a case of an old furnace already asking you to find a replacement as soon as possible.
Whatever the case may be, call a professional furnace repair service to check what needs to be done to get your furnace back into tip-top shape in time for the cold season.