As we are approaching winter, the days are getting noticeably shorter. There’s simply no smarter time of year to take a look at your home’s furnace, HVAC, ventilation, heat pump and overall heating & air conditioning systems. Let’s make sure your system is able to do what it’s intended to do when the extreme cold hits.
Read below to better understand some of the signs to look for that will indicate that your furnace may not be ready for winter.
Sign No. 1 – Higher than normal bills
If you are seeing your energy bills increasing from one season to the next, it could be a sign that your system is struggling to keep up and may need attention from an expert.
Sign No. 2 – Your furnace’s flame is not burning blue
Look through the protective window at your furnace’s flame. If the flame is more yellowish in hue, that is potentially serious. It means your furnace could be producing carbon monoxide (CO). Be sure to give us a call at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning for testing and inspection as soon as possible.
Sign No. 3 – Things go bump (or bang or boing) in the night
Rattle and Hum is a great U2 album, but you don’t want to hear rattling or humming from your furnace. If your furnace occasionally emits strange sounds, it could indicate loosening belts, weakening joints, or any of several moving parts starting to wear out. It’s often accompanied by reduced heat flow and lowered efficiency. Listen also for the furnace’s blower. If it’s blowing loudly, giving off cool air, or constantly turning on and off, put One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning on the case to find and fix the problem.
Sign No. 4 – Is your family feeling sluggish?
If your family shares experiences of sickness, nausea, or flu-like symptoms, that’s a possible indication of a worn or cracked heat exchanger inside the furnace allowing carbon monoxide to escape into your home’s breathable air.
Sign No. 5 – House has weak airflow and uneven heat distribution
Do temperatures inside your home vary from level to level or room to room? Is the warm air coming from the vents barely noticeable? The furnace’s belts and motors may be deteriorating. One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning has the know-how to recognize the part in need of replacement, and returning your home’s flow of hot air to its former strength.
Sign No. 6 – There are dry, dusty areas in your home
Furnaces manufactured today do much more than just produce and distribute heat around your home. Modern units help clean and humidify the air, reducing exposure to airborne allergens like dust, dirt, dander, pollen and mold spores. If you find your family sniffling and sneezing inside, suffering with dryness, allergies or asthma, or if the air is dry or dusty anywhere in your home, your furnace may not be up to snuff.
Sign No. 7 – Your furnace is more than 10 years old
A furnace is a machine and machines get old, wear down and break. Long before your furnace poops out entirely, it will become less efficient, burning more fuel and producing less heat. If your furnace is more than 10 years old – or if you have no idea how old your furnace is – it’s a good idea to have our professionals give it a checkup. We’d love to give your family the peace of mind of knowing your home’s furnace is in top working order.
This is just a partial list of warning signs that your furnace may have operational issues. If your home’s furnace is exhibiting one or more of these symptoms, it’s time to call us at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. With our experience serving customers across Northern Virginia, we’ve seen every type of furnace at every stage of life. We can help you determine if repairing or replacing is better for your family’s safety and comfort. Call us at 571-421-1888 or make an appointment online at ModernMec.com.
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