When you have a furnace, you likely want to ensure that it provides a quality and effective job heating your home. However, some furnaces, whether due to age or damage, can act up and not do what they’re supposed to do. This could lead to frequent breakdowns, higher energy bills, and a shorter life span.
How do you know when you need professional help regarding your furnace? Learn some of the signs of poor furnace performance you can look for.
Slow Response
If you have a well-installed furnace, you should feel the temperature change in your home soon after powering on the home heating system. However, the heat from the furnace may not spread well to all your rooms.
The slow response can be a result of the wrong furnace size. If you have a furnace that is too small for your home’s heating needs, the system cannot warm your home efficiently. The furnace may also break down more often due to overworking.
Excessive Cycling
Did you know that short cycling is harmful to your furnace? A furnace with a short cycling issue is more likely to break down and have a shorter life span due to extra wear and tear. Ideally, your furnace should not start and stop rapidly if your home has not attained your optimal indoor temperatures.
If your furnace turns on and off too frequently, the cause could be electrical problems, poor thermostat placement, corroded flame sensor, and incorrect furnace size.
Pools of Water in Your Basement
Many homeowners are unaware that their furnace produces wastewater. If you notice pools of water in your basement, this could be from a lack of a system to drain away the wastewater from the furnace.
If you don’t solve this issue, the water can damage the furnace and other belongings in your basement. You can also experience mold issues due to excessive moisture.
Duct Issues
If your furnace doesn’t have quality ductwork, leaks can significantly affect the system’s efficiency. For example, you may experience low furnace airflow, meaning the furnace might struggle to heat your home.
In this case, a technician can clean the existing ductwork to remove the debris or any foreign materials that may affect airflow.
Gas and Fuel Leaks
Fuel and gas leaks can affect the safety and efficiency of your furnace.
The number one cause of gas leaks in a furnace is bad flues. If your furnace is leaking, you can experience dizziness or feel lightheaded due to carbon monoxide buildup in your home. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, toxic gas that can be fatal if inhaled in large quantities.
Bad Smells
Do you sometimes smell something odd or different, especially from your vents? If so, your furnace might be to blame. For example, if you smell a rotten-egg smell, this can indicate a gas leak. A damp smell might indicate mold or moisture. A burning smell might indicate electrical issues, especially from the fan motor or bad wiring.
All of these can be cause for concern, so speak to an HVAC professional as soon as possible.
High Energy Bills
Have you seen a large increase in your heating costs? If local rates haven’t changed a lot and you’re using the furnace normally, then the issue could be a malfunctioning furnace, especially a furnace that is older. Over time, components like seals and ductwork become less effective, which can drive up your monthly bills. If this has happened to you, an HVAC technician can repair your furnace so you can enjoy reasonable rates again.
At Apollo Heating, Air & Plumbing, we have a team of highly trained HVAC technicians and the latest work tools. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
