Your home is filled with all kinds of important appliances, whether they be big or small, that play a vital role in your daily life. Perhaps one of the most important items in your home is your furnace. For residents of Salt Lake City, your furnace is even more important and works even harder thanks to the cold winters.
Of course, just like with all appliances furnaces can have problems from time to time, and they don’t last forever. As a homeowner, it’s important to know the signs to watch for that signal your furnace isn’t working properly so you can call on a professional to come in, diagnose the problem, and either repair or replace the furnace. There is more than just your own personal comfort that you should be concerned about, a furnace that isn’t working properly can also prove to be deadly should there be a carbon monoxide leak.
Don’t Rely on Age
People are quick to assume that unless their furnace is old, it will run just fine. The fact of the matter is that age really isn’t a reliable factor to base things on. Sure, as the furnace gets older it is more prone to having issues and will draw closer to the end of its lifespan, but problems can happen any time – even with a brand new furnace.
If you aren’t the original owner of your home, you may not even know how old your furnace is. This is easy enough to figure out. Simply look at the serial number on the furnace’s label to find its age. In general furnaces last between 15-20 years, depending on the make/model and how well it was cared for.
Your Heating Bill Suddenly Increases
It’s normal for your heating bill to fluctuate through the year, but these are fluctuations you should expect and are within a certain range. Should your heating bill suddenly increase drastically and the weather hasn’t really changed, then it could be that your furnace isn’t working properly. It may not be producing adequate heat in an energy-efficient and timely manner.
Furnace repair, Salt Lake City professionals are able to come in and assess the situation so you know what needs to be done.
Your Furnace Starts Making New Noises
In general, furnaces aren’t exactly the most quiet piece of equipment. They are always going to make some kind of noise. What you want to watch for is new noises, strange noises, or noise that seems to be growing in intensity. Typical sounds include squeaks and pops. Again, this is a good time to call in the professionals to take a look.
The Furnace Doesn’t Come On
This one is about as clear as you’ll get when it comes to warning signs. If your furnace isn’t kicking in and coming on when it should, then there is obviously a problem with it. It could even have something to do with the thermostat since they work in conjunction with each other.
The Unrecognizable Signs
Unfortunately, not all signs are obvious. In terms of a carbon monoxide leak, this gas is odorless and colorless making it extremely dangerous. If there is a leak that you don’t know about, it can lead to injury or even death by breathing in the poison. This is why it’s important to have a carbon monoxide detector where your furnace is. There may also be warning signs that you suffer such as flu-like symptoms or drowsiness.
Proper Maintenance Can Prevent Problems
Instead of waiting for problems to pop up, the professionals recommend that you schedule regular furnace tune-ups. This involves a professional doing a thorough inspection of the furnace to look for any current or future issues, cleaning the furnace, and making sure all looks good. These tune ups are recommended once a year and can help expand the life of your furnace.
If you are going to schedule a tune up, make sure you ask what is included in the appointment, how long it takes, and the cost. This particular service may also be called a “preventative maintenance visit”.
Don’t Take Chances
A furnace is not something you want to take chances with if you suspect it isn’t working properly. Remember, it can result in more than just a cold house, there could be something much more dangerous and potentially deadly going on. By scheduling yearly maintenance inspections, and watching for warning signs so you can react to them in a timely manner, you’ll be doing your part to keep your furnace running properly and safely.