Watch for These Warning Signs of Furnace Failure

Most of the time your furnace works, and you don’t think about it at all. It keeps your home toasty and warm throughout the winter months. You’d be more inclined to think about the furnace if you hear loud noises or other obvious signs of malfunction.

But many of the warning signs for furnace failure are, in fact, silent. If you want your furnace to keep functioning efficiently throughout the winter, then read on.

Rusted flue

One sign that you need furnace repair is a rusted flue. This is often tied to a leak from the roof or plumbing lines that is leading to corrosion and rust in the flue. Furnaces depend on flues to vent carbon monoxide outdoors. If your flue is rusted through, that means the carbon monoxide could be sent back into the home. This is a serious hazard and should be addressed by a qualified technician immediately.

Furnace cycle

If your furnace keeps turning on and off seemingly without reason, that’s a bad sign. A repeated cycle that doesn’t fully heat the home could mean that the furnace’s fan motor is dying. Alternatively, it could be a simpler fix like cleaning a heat sensor. Call in the pros to pinpoint the problem.

Moisture buildup

Have you noticed that there’s moisture accumulating on your home’s windows, ceilings or walls? This could be because there isn’t enough airflow in the home. Stagnant air shows that there might be a problem with the vents or that furnace repair is necessary.

Burner flame color

You should check the burner’s flame color regularly in your natural-gas-powered furnace. When the flame is yellow, this indicates that the gas isn’t fully burning off. That means that the furnace isn’t heating to its potential and that the carbon monoxide the furnace is producing is likely not venting properly. Make sure to install a carbon monoxide detector and test it regularly to ensure that it’s working the way it should.

Lifespan of furnace

Most furnaces will last you many years, but after about 20 years or so, you may want to consider installing a new one. Your new furnace will be more energy efficient. If you think this is the case for your furnace, the time to act is now. This way you will avoid having an emergency replacement done in the middle of winter.

Water leaks

If puddles of water are accumulating around the furnace, then it likely needs to be fixed. Water is a natural byproduct of a gas furnace or air conditioner at work. If you see that the water is only by the air conditioner, then it’s probably an easy fix. But if the water is coming from the furnace itself or is being released during heating, then you may have more extensive repairs ahead of you.

Since 1993, BLM Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning has taken pride in offering prompt, reliable, high-quality HVAC services. We’ll help you keep your home warm all winter long. Contact us right now to find out more and schedule your first appointment.

Categorised in: Furnace Contractors

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