The winter season is here and no matter where you live in the country, your furnace will be called on for extra work to keep your home at a comfy temperature. However, some furnaces balk at the onset of winter by emitting all manner of strange sounds in the form of growls, bangs, pops, and whines. If this is happening at your house and you suspect something is amiss; don’t ignore the signs.
Fortunately there is a variety of ways to tell if your heating system is under the weather and as a responsible homeowner it is up to you to stay alert to avoid far more serious problems. “Little things” might not seem like a big deal, but left unchecked or combined with other little things, suddenly you have a very big deal on your hands. In fact, ignoring or procrastinating on warning signs might lead to the purchase of a whole new system.
Signs that it is time to upgrade your home heating unit
Throughout your annual to-do list in preparing your home for winter, be sure to include your furnace’s health and its ability to perform. The following are signs that the unit needs attention:
- Clogged filters—Furnace filters constantly collect dirt, dust, pet hair, and other debris and are easily clogged. This of course compromises a filter’s goal of cleaning the air. Check your filter every month and keep spares on hand for quick replacement.
- Lack of maintenance—Regular maintenance is a must for all major home equipment and if your furnace has gone a few years without attention, you may be in for an unpleasant outcome. Call in a skilled technician from Rowland Air to ensure the furnace is ready for a long winter.
- Ignition failure—If a furnace’s ignition stops working, the unit will not produce hot air and you don’t want this to happen on a bitter cold night. Furnaces use electrical sparks or heating elements to light the burner; if yours is out, call in an expert from Rowland Air.
How bad is it?
If you know you have a problem with your furnace, the next step is identifying its severity. While some issues are relatively minor and only require a basic fix; others can leave you shivering in the cold.
For example, if you smell gas and suspect a leak, try to stop it immediately by turning off the valve. Don’t light any matches and call a utility service. A yellow flame instead of blue is also a bad sign. It could mean carbon monoxide is infiltrating your home.
Any problems that can lead to equipment or structural damage, or danger to health, should be addressed by an expert from Rowland Air right away. Call us at 800-500-9068 for a free estimate now. Rowland has furnace repair experts in Santa Clarita and also heating repair professionals that serve Lancaster CA and Palmdale.