How Do I Know If I Need Heater Repair?

We all tend to take furnaces for granted—until cold weather hits and the furnace won’t work, that is. A multitude of symptoms could indicate a need for heater repair in New Lenox, IL, but how do you know if you truly need to repair the furnace? What if the problem is the thermostat? Or some other issue? Here are some common red flags that indicate it’s time to call your HVAC company.

Constantly Adjusting Your Thermostat

Is your thermostat holding your home at a consistent temperature? If you find yourself frequently changing the thermostat setting but still feel uncomfortable, then your furnace probably isn’t working as efficiently as it could be.

Unusually High Electric Or Gas Bills

Depending on whether your furnace is powered by electricity or natural gas, monitoring the appropriate utility bill can help you identify potential problems before they become bigger problems. Many utility companies store a history of your bills over the last couple of years; compare your current bill to the bill from 12 months ago. Has your usage changed much? Have the gas or electric rates increased significantly? If both your usage and rates are similar to those from last year, but you’re stuck with a much higher bill, this suggests that your furnace is running less efficiently than it did previously.

Strange Noises From the Furnace

A well-maintained heater should almost purr. If you notice irregular sounds, or if the furnace just sounds different from before, then it could probably benefit from a tune-up or repair.

Yellow Pilot Light

A functional gas furnace should have a blue pilot light. This indicates that the flame is receiving enough oxygen. If the pilot light is yellow, then there may be a problem with the thermocouple or ventilation. Since yellow flames don’t burn as hot as blue flames, this could indicate that the thermocouple is not heating up sufficiently, which causes the gas supply to shut off.

A heater repair expert can clean out the air intake valve leading to the pilot light. Or, a yellow pilot light could mean that there’s toxic carbon monoxide in your furnace. If this is the case, then you have an urgent need to call your HVAC professional to make sure that carbon monoxide does not build up in your home.

Household Members Frequently Feel Unwell or Experience Headaches.

A cracked furnace heat exchanger could cause carbon monoxide to leak into your home. As this harmful gas builds up, it could cause headaches or make people ill. This requires professional furnace repair.

Short Cycling

This means that the furnace is having trouble turning on and staying on, so it keeps cycling on and off frequently. This issue could be caused by a dirty air filter, improper unit sizing, problems with the thermostat, or a faulty fan control. You can replace the air filter and check the thermostat yourself, but other issues will need a professional touch.

Frequent Need for Heater Repair

If you find yourself calling your HVAC professional more than once over the last two years, or if your heater is over 15 years old, then be forewarned that a breakdown is likely on its way. It’s time to call your furnace pro to evaluate the condition of your furnace and help you determine when it should be replaced.

Key Takeaway

When in doubt, trust your instinct. If something doesn’t seem right with your furnace, then it’s a good idea to call a professional. To learn more about heater repair in New Lenox, IL, please click here.