Fall is here, and before you know it, it will be winter in St. Albert. It’s time for your furnace to be hard at work, keeping your home comfortable for you and your family. It would be the worst time for your furnace to break down unexpectedly. The good news is that your furnace will usually give you some hints that it needs attention. You just need to know what to watch for. Here are some clues that it’s time to call for furnace repairs.
If your furnace does not turn on right away or needs to be restarted during the day, you probably need a repair. This problem could be caused by a faulty thermostat or loose wiring that could be a shock or fire hazard. For comfort and safety sake, you should schedule a service appointment to fix the problem.
You might smell fuel or burning dust the first time you turn your furnace on for the season. This is normal as long as the smell dissipates quickly. If the odor remains, you might need a furnace repair. It is best to turn your system off and call for service.
If your furnace is not producing enough heat, even when you raise the temperature, you may need it repaired. It could be something as simple as your thermostat needs to be replaced because it is no longer communicating with your furnace. However, it could also mean that your furnace is struggling to heat your home because it needs repair or has reached the end of its useful life.
All furnaces make noises. However, when your system starts making new noises, it is usually time for some type of furnace repair or adjustment.
A furnace repair is needed to head off a breakdown.
It is a good idea to occasionally check the colour of your furnace’s pilot light, which should always have a blue flame. If the light has changed to a different colour like yellow, your furnace could have a ventilation problem. The colour change is caused when combustible gases like carbon monoxide do not normally dissipate, causing health and safety issues.
Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that can cause serious harm or death. If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, it is alerting you to a potentially dangerous situation. You should immediately turn off your furnace, open your windows to air out your home, and call for service. Do not use your furnace until it has been checked and repaired by a professional heating contractor.
A lot can happen during the spring and summer months that can affect your furnace’s operation when fall arrives. The best way to ensure that your furnace is ready for the season, and reduce the risk of a breakdown, is to have a maintenance service each year. In the St. Albert area, do not hesitate to call us for all your furnace repair, maintenance, and installation needs.
