Like any other appliance, your furnace can break down. The signs of a failing furnace can range from cold spots in your home to loud noises. Far from being harmless, these symptoms can indicate serious problems within the furnace that can lead to illnesses and fire hazards. Read on to learn our top five furnace breakdown warning signs that you cannot ignore.
If you are experiencing any of these problems and need to schedule an appointment for furnace repair or replacement services in St. Louis, contact the heating and air conditioning experts at Galmiche & Sons today.
5 Warning Signs of a Failing Furnace
- Loud noises: A dull hum when your furnace is operating is normal. But if you hear weird, loud noises from your furnace, it is time to take a closer look. A scraping noise from the furnace can be due to ball bearings that are worn out. Rumbling and rattling noises are usually traced to loose parts in the furnace. A loud bang that sounds like a gunshot sound when you switch on the furnace is due to gas build-up. This can cause the parts of the furnace to break down and is a potential fire hazard.
- Your home is not getting heated: If you notice cold spots in some rooms or feel cold across your house, it may be a warning sign of a furnace breakdown. A malfunctioning motor is one of the reasons behind the furnace failing to heat up the room. Give a call to your HVAC service professional in St. Louis, who will check all heating components to rectify the problem.
- Your energy bills are increasing: Heating accounts for about 15 percent of energy consumption in residences. A typical household spends about $111 per month on electricity bills and about $160 on utility bills. If your heating bills are steadily increasing, an inefficient or failing furnace may be the cause. An aging furnace needs a replacement, while leaky ductwork, thermostat issues, or dirty filters can all cause your furnace to consume more power while failing to heat your home efficiently.
- Frequent illness: An efficient furnace filters out bacteria, foreign particles, and dirt. If you or your family members are falling ill frequently, it can be due to a faulty furnace that leads to poor quality air. Additionally, a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger can leak carbon monoxide that is linked to adverse health effects. Get your furnace inspected by a professional if you notice increased illness symptoms such as itchiness, watery eyes, colds, coughs, and headaches.
- Your furnace leaks water: Water leaking from your furnace is another warning sign of impending furnace breakdown. This could be due to obstructed condensation tubing or line break that leads to condensation of hot air in the pipe that then leaks. A furnace with a built-in humidifier can also leak. If you notice a pool of water beneath your furnace, get in touch with your HVAC service professional immediately.
Contact a Trusted HVAC Professional for Furnace Breakdown Repair
Preventive HVAC maintenance (https://www.galmicheandsons.com/hvac-blog/why-do-you-need-an-hvac-maintenance-contract/) helps ensure that your furnace works efficiently throughout the winter. This helps you avoid high heating bills, poor air quality, and furnace breakdown. At Galmiche & Sons, we have been providing HVAC maintenance in St. Louis since 1950 and we can help with all of your furnace repair needs. Get in touch with our heating and air conditioning technicians today for all your heating and cooling needs.
