When to Schedule Professional Furnace Repairs

A malfunctioning furnace costs more to run and may not heat your home to the temperature you want. Major maintenance should always be left to a heating professional. Check out the information below to find out when you should call a professional to handle your home heating issues.

Your Furnace Emits Odors

Many homeowners are familiar with the smell their furnace emits the first few times the heat is used during the winter. This smell is caused by dirt and dust that have accumulated inside your furnace over the summer, and should disappear after the first few uses. Strong, persistent burning smells from your furnace, however, should never be ignored. These smells could indicate excessive buildup of dust or clogged air intakes and vents that could result in a fire if not addressed. In many cases, locating the source of these smells and eliminating the buildup requires accessing the furnace’s internal components. This type of repair and cleaning should be left to a professional to ensure your furnace is safe for continued use.

Your Furnace Sets Off Carbon Monoxide

DetectorsCarbon monoxide is emitted during the combustion process. Normally, this gas is funneled away from your home via the vent system connected to your furnace. If too much carbon monoxide is emitted or your furnace is not vented properly, dangerous levels of this gas can accumulate inside your home. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can be hazardous to ones health. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, making it impossible to detect on your own. Heating experts recommend installing carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home, including the area near your furnace. If your carbon monoxide detectors sound, it’s essential to leave your home immediately and call a professional to assess the situation.

Your Furnace Makes Strange Noises

Some noises are normal during operation of your furnace: your thermostat may click and most heating systems make a low, rumbling noise. If you notice abnormal sounds associated with your furnace’s operation, call in a professional to perform an inspection. In many cases, these sounds are indicative of components that require replacement or readjustment for proper furnace function. The blower motor contains belts, bearings, and gears that may create squealing, grinding, or humming sounds as they wear out. A misaligned pilot light assembly or dirty gas burners often continue to make rumbling sounds even when your furnace is not operating. Clicking noises indicate failed electrical relays or, in some cases, a problem with the connection between your thermostat and your furnace. All of these issues can be difficult to handle on your own, and should be left to a qualified heating professional.

Even if you are a regular do-it-yourselfer, some aspects of furnace maintenance and repair should be left to a trained professional. If you need to schedule a heating inspection or repairs in the Columbus area, click on our website for more information. Check out our blog to learn more about common heating problems and how to maintain your HVAC system to ensure top-quality performance all year long.