Springtime is officially here. You know as well as we do that soon enough it will get oppressively hot. But if our winter weather was any indication, mother nature can surprise us. Whether we have an unexpected cold spell this spring or if you just want to make sure you have a fully functional heating system next fall when you need it on the regular again, now is the time to take care of any end-of-season furnace care needs.
If you had maintenance done on your heater this past fall, and if you took care of any pending repair needs at the time, then you’re probably in good shape and likely won’t have any severe furnace repair needs. It’s a good idea for you to be aware of any signs of a furnace in disrepair, so that you can rely on it now and in the future. Keep reading to learn these signs:
Loud and Unexpected Noises
If you are using a furnace as your home heater, you will always hear some noise when it’s running. This may include the air whooshing through the vents, and even the slight rattle of ductwork as the air temperature inside it changes and causes the ductwork to expand and contract.
What you shouldn’t hear coming from your heater are any noises that are out of the ordinary. This might include clanging, banging, excessive clicking as the system cycles down—the clicking can be a sign of a potentially hazardous damaged heat exchanger within a gas furnace. Also, don’t count out hissing, screeching, or clanging (this can be a loose component).
Strange Odors
The only time you should ever smell any odor coming from your furnace is at the very beginning the heating season. This is because dirt is burning off the jets and the heat exchangers when you turn on the system for the first time. This smell should dissipate within a few days, if not faster than that.
However, if you detect an acrid or burning odor during this time of the year, then it’s definitely the sign of an urgent issue. Stay on the safe side, shut your heating system down and then give us a call.
Lukewarm Air from the Vents
This can be an understandably frustrating problem to have with your heater. After all, the system has one job, right? So, if you notice cool or lukewarm air coming out of your vents when the furnace is running, it is worth giving us a call so we can inspect.
This can be indicative of a potentially harmful problem in the case of a gas-powered heating system. Even in an electric powered heater, a lack of warm air or uneven heating can be the sign of troubles with your air ducts or thermostat. These will both impact your air conditioner efficiency in addition to your heating efficiency, so it’s best to get it taken care of ASAP.
Contact Cool Care Heating and Air Conditioning for professional Katy, TX furnace service.