Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky homeowners want to know: what are some of the top signs that there may be the need for a furnace repair?With winter approaching in a few months, it’s good to know what signs you should not ignore when it comes to your furnace. After all, it’s always better when you catch any issues earlier, rather than later, when it comes to repairing your furnace.
Some of the signs may be less obvious than others, but here are 8 signs that could indicate you need to calling a heating professional:
- Uneven temperatures in your home
- A surprising spike in your energy bill
- New sounds are coming from your furnace
- The burner flame is yellow rather than blue
- The thermostat doesn’t seem like it’s working
- The furnace is turning off and on frequently
- The indoor air quality seems worse
- You’ve cranked up the heat, and aren’t getting warm enough
Let’s take a closer look at each.
1. Uneven temperatures in your home
No one wants uneven temperatures in their home that just don’t seem to go away! If there are certain spots in your home that are suddenly not the same time temperature as the rest of the house, take note. Cold spots in your home shouldn’t be ignored, and it can be a sign something could be broken or a component is failing.
2. A surprising spike in your energy bill
Is your energy bill unusually high for any given period of time? If you’ve been keeping up with preventative maintenance and you’ve also been changing your air filters regularly, but you see your heating bill has dramatically increased, it could be a sign there is an issue with your furnace.
3. New sounds are coming from your furnace
If you hear any new noises coming from your furnace, be sure to pay attention. This can be almost any new noise but can include bangs, pops, whistles or even a “rattling” noise. This can be an early indicator something is wrong in the unit and it needs to be repaired as soon as possible.
4. The burner flame is yellow rather than blue
If you try to adjust your burner light, and you still can’t get your pilot light to blue, then it could be an issue or even a sign of excess carbon dioxide. This is something that can be fatal, so you absolutely do not want to ignore an issue that indicates you could have any excess carbon dioxide.
5. The thermostat doesn’t seem like it’s working
Let’s face it: at a certain point in time, it doesn’t make sense to KEEP turning up the temperature! It could be problems with wiring, or even issues with the transformer could be at fault for the problems you are experiencing if you are having trouble with your thermostat. When it comes to troubleshooting on your own, what you can do is check that the batteries are working as they should. All thermostats are different, and some models don’t actually require batteries. If you have trouble changing or finding out more details about your specific thermostat and its source of power/batteries it requires, you can let us know.
If you have reason to believe it is a mechanical or operational issue because you still have issues with your thermostat, then call us so we look further into the issue since it could be a sign there is something else wrong.
6. The furnace is turning off and on frequently
If your heater appears to be going on and off intermittently, there could be several things at play, including a serious malfunction. Be sure to call us as soon as you notice this happening.
7. The indoor air quality seems worse
When a furnace is having an issue and needs repair, many times your indoor air quality will often worsen; you might be able to sense some of the dramatic effects on the home—whether it be dust or allergens. If you notice mold, increased amounts of dust, or you have other signs or symptoms of worsened air quality, take note.
8. You’ve cranked up the heat, and aren’t getting warm enough
Does your home seem to have trouble maintaining the temperature you’ve set it to?
If you’ve made sure your thermostat is indeed set to heat mode, you’ve ensured any thermostat batteries aren’t in need of a change, and you see that your circuit breaker hasn’t tripped, but the heat is still not working all of a sudden, it might be time to call us.
Keep in Mind The Age of Your Furnace
Older heating systems, by nature of being older, are more likely to break down or to have problems. While preventative maintenance is important so you can do whatever you can to minimize the opportunity for those problems, recognize that if you’re looking at a system that is 15 years, it could be nearing the end of its life expectancy.
All in all, a system that is 15 years or older doesn’t necessarily mean you will have repairs needed, but it just means that there can be inefficiencies or issues that could make an upgrade worth the investment.
Call Greater Comfort for 24/7 Emergency Furnace Repair
Don’t wait when it comes to addressing any heating issues you think you may have. If and when you can detect a potential problem earlier, it can be better for your system and it can minimize the need for more costly repairs.
Greater Cincinnati Homeowners, Call Greater Comfort for Emergency Furnace Repair
“Greater Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning is my go-to resource for all my air conditioning and heating needs. They offer up-front pricing, and they are always on time. The Greater Comfort team is also professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. I recommend Greater Comfort to other families looking for a more comfortable home.”
—Kim S.
Year-round, Greater Comfort is your go-to resource for dependable HVAC services, support, and regular maintenance. From install to repair—and from maintenance to innovative solutions—we’re here to help you and your family stay comfortable and safe.
