Is your furnace trying to tell you something? Furnaces often give many warning signs before they shut down completely, costing homeowners a costly emergency heating repair. Some of these conditions can be dangerous if they are ignored.
Read on for five signs that your furnace is telling you that it needs help.
1. Carbon Monoxide Detectors Are Sounding
It’s important to keep carbon monoxide (CO) detectors near your furnace. A CO leak is a life-threatening emergency. If your CO detector is sounding, turn off the furnace, open all windows, and evacuate the house.
Call your fire department to measure CO levels. Once you can return safely inside your home, arrange an emergency heating service call. Your furnace needs immediate evaluation by a trained professional.
Symptoms of CO poisoning include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Weakness in your muscles
- Flu-like symptoms
Grab your dogs and cats on the way out. Their smaller sizes mean they will be overcome by CO much faster than humans.
2. You Smell Heating Fuel or See Signs of a Leak
If you smell natural gas or heating oil, you may have a potentially dangerous leak. Heating oil and gas odors are signs of a heating system malfunction. If you see any signs of a leak or smell gas or oil, shut the system down and call for help immediately.
3. Loud Noises
Alarming noises coming from your furnace or boiler should never be ignored.
- Banging or Booming
- Whistling or Squealing
- Rattling
- Humming
- Rumbling
These noises mean something potentially dangerous is happening in your heating system. They may mean that your system is about to break down and cost you an emergency heating repair.
4. No Warm Air
If your furnace is running but there is no heat, your system needs to be evaluated by your heating service provider. Do not try to continue to run the furnace. Trying to use this system can result in permanent damage to the heating system.
5. Electrical Issues
A furnace that trips fuses or will not turn on indicates some type of electrical issue. Other signs your furnace is causing electrical issues are:
- Dimming lights while furnace runs
- Buzzing
- “Electrical burning” smells
- Wiring that looks corroded or burnt
- Sparking from any electrical connections
Costs of an Emergency Heating Repair
Depending on what is wrong with the furnace, it may be a costly emergency heating repair service call. There is the cost of the service call itself as well as parts and labor. The repair could be as simple as a clogged filter or as costly as a blower.
Heating repair companies offer payment options, including credit card payments. Check to see if the company offers to finance for the repairs.
Schedule a Routine Heating Service Call
The best way to prevent an emergency heating repair is to make sure your system is ready before you need it. Let a heating service and repair technician evaluate your heating system to spot potential problems.
If your heating system isn’t working right, give us a call so you’re not left out in the cold.
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