If you were an HVAC technician, you’d never have to wonder, “Is it just me, or is the furnace making a crackling noise?” You’d have the technical know-how and experience, just like DeHart’s team of NATE-certified heating and cooling experts, to know exactly when there’s a problem and what the issue is.
But for the rest of us, it can be difficult to know when something’s off with a heating system, unless there’s a super obvious change, like it won’t turn on at all. To help, here are 7 of the most common signs that you need an HVAC contractor to take a look at your Chickasha or Duncan home’s furnace.
1. COLD AIR IS BLOWING OUT OF YOUR VENTS
Is your HVAC system running, but it’s just cold air blowing out of the vents? First, make sure your thermostat is set to AUTO, not FAN. Second, make sure that you haven’t run out of heating fuel.
Finally, you could be dealing with a dirty air filter that’s caused your furnace to overheat, which will trigger the burners to turn off while your system cools down. Remember to change your air filters, or to schedule regular HVAC maintenance where a qualified professional will change them for you.
2. YOUR HEATING COSTS HAVE INCREASED
Rising energy bills are often a sign that your furnace isn’t working as efficiently as it used to. This could be due to old age and unavoidable wear and tear (in which case, you’d likely benefit from a new high-efficiency furnace), or it could be because a part has broken or worn down and you need heating repair assistance. Whatever the issue is, don’t just accept that higher heating costs are “the new normal” in your home.
3. YOUR FURNACE IS CONSTANTLY RUNNING
A furnace that is running all the time, or significantly more often than it used to, is a furnace that is struggling to keep your home comfortable! This is likely because there’s something wrong with your heating system. A furnace repair call can help identify the issue, and the sooner you schedule an appointment, the less risk of harmful wear and tear you’ll see for your unit.
4. YOU’RE TOO COLD IN YOUR HOUSE
Does it suddenly feel like the heat from your furnace isn’t distributing evenly in your home anymore? Are you experiencing cold spots in certain rooms or on certain floors? Your furnace should be properly sized to evenly distribute heat and comfort levels throughout your home—if it stopped doing that, you’ll want to have a technician come and inspect your system.
5. YOUR FURNACE IS MAKING A STRANGE NEW SOUND
There’s an entire laundry list of strange noises that a furnace can make when it’s not working properly—too long to list them all here. But if your heating system is making sounds it never used to, don’t ignore it! Clanking, thumping, screeching, humming and other noises are an indication that a service call is needed, and if you catch the issue right away, you can often avoid expensive and inconvenient breakdowns.
6. YOU’RE CONSTANTLY ADJUSTING YOUR THERMOSTAT
If you or your family members find yourselves fiddling with the temperature in an attempt to make your Oklahoma home comfortable, it’s a good sign that something could be wrong with your thermostat (in which case, it’s a great reason to upgrade to a new smart thermostat for additional energy savings!), or that your heating system is getting old and you may need a new furnace to keep your home warm enough in the winter.
7. YOUR PILOT LIGHT HAS CHANGED COLORS
Many furnaces with pilot lights have a window that makes it easy to see the pilot light without taking the cover off the unit. Your pilot flame should be strong and blue—if it seems weak or is yellow in color, this is often a sign of a dirty or blocked burner—as well as a potential carbon monoxide issue—and you should have a professional look at your system right away.