If you are like many homeowners in the Tacoma area, you are likely using a furnace to heat your home and keep it comfortable during the cooler months. Furnaces are the most popular type of residential heating systems out there after all. Boilers and heat pumps certainly have their upsides, but furnaces are what we typically get the most calls about.
If you are one of these furnace owners—which we’re guessing you are since you came across this blog post—then you know they can provide powerful heating and reliable operation. But you might also know that just like any other important appliance or home comfort system, it can experience problems.
Fortunately, you don’t have to look very far to get repair services. Of course, spotting repair issues can be hard for the average homeowner. We are here to help you detect problems early on, so you know when to call us! It’s best to dial our number before you get stuck with a completely broken down or horribly malfunctioning heating system. Read on for some of the most common signs of disrepair in a furnace.
Unusual Sounds
If you have already had your furnace through even just one heating season, you probably know its normal, daily noises that it makes while it’s on. So, when your furnace system gets noisier than usual, or if you detect sounds you haven’t before, you are likely hearing a sign that your heating system needs professional repair.
These unusual or loud noises can include anything from grinding or a mechanical shrieking, to rattling or clicking, the last of which can potentially signify a cracked heat exchanger—never ignore this sound or this problem!
It’s going to take a trained professional to determine what’s actually amiss and have it repaired, so be sure to give us a call.
Short-Cycling
Short-cycling is both the symptom of an HVAC problem and the cause of more problems. Short-cycling describes when your furnace or heat pump rapidly turns on and off, rather than going through its regular 15-minute cycles.
This problem puts strain on the components of your heater, forces your furnace to finish the heating cycle too soon, raises your utility costs, and does not give your heating system enough time to send heat evenly through the home.
The problem causing short-cycling can be as simple as a clogged air filter (which you can and should be checking on every 1-3 months), or it could be that your furnace wasn’t properly sized to begin with, which is a much more serious problem.
Higher-Than-Normal Utility Bills
Take a look at your heating bills! First off, compare them to the same time last year. If they’ve drastically changed and you have not added any big appliances to your home that use your electrical system, then it’s a sign that something is causing your HVAC system to work inefficiently.
Another idea is to compare what you’re paying to what your neighbors are paying for similar use. This is a good way to see what you should be paying. If you’re paying too much, then it’s time to give us a call!
These are just a few of the signs that your heater may be in disrepair. If you have any suspicions at all, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.
Contact Sunset Air for quality furnace repair in Olympia, WA.
