4 Signs That Your Furnace Is Begging for Maintenance

Heating experts recommend preventative maintenance for several reasons. For one, it helps your system last longer and stay efficient as it ages. Preventative maintenance also does what its name implies: it prevents issues by allowing a technician to spot small problems before they get worse.

When a furnace goes too long without maintenance, it often gives “warning signs” that let you know that trouble is brewing. If you start seeing these signs, your furnace needs professional service before freezing temperatures arrive.

1. Weak Airflow

If the warm air coming from your wall or floor vents is so weak that it fails to heat your home, you’ve got an airflow issue. Sometimes an overly dirty air filter will cause inadequate airflow, in which case you only need to replace the air filter to solve the problem. If your furnace still produces weak airflow even after you change the filter, a technician might need to clean the blower or fix the fan belt, bearings, or motor.

2. Strange Sounds

Your furnace will never operate in complete silence, but certain noises indicate a problem with the system. If your furnace squeals or rattles, there may be parts inside that have come loose or worn out. If your furnace booms, it’s critical to call a technician right away. A boom means that there is a problem with your furnace’s ability to ignite, which is allowing gas to build up inside of the unit.

3. Yellow or Orange Flame

When everything is functioning correctly, your furnace’s flame will be blue. A yellow or orange flame can indicate a few different issues. In some cases, you only need to clean the burner. If the flame is still yellow or orange after that, then the furnace is not providing the correct proportions of gas and oxygen. In other words, it’s time to call a technician.

4. High Energy Bills

If it seems like your heating costs keep rising every year, it probably isn’t your imagination. As your furnace gets older, it will lose efficiency little by little. Without regular maintenance, you’ll see a drop in efficiency a lot sooner in the form of higher energy bills.

As your furnace runs, it gets dusty and dirty, and its parts start to wear down. As a result, the system has to work harder to reach the desired temperature in your home. When a technician services the system, they help the furnace return to its “former glory” by cleaning it and attending to its neglected components.

For residential heating maintenance services in Monroe, call Iceberg Heating & Cooling at 734-342-3420. We’re on call, online, and always on time.