6 Warning Signs of a Faulty Furnace

It’s the middle of winter, and the weather isn’t showing signs of getting warmer anytime soon. As a lifelong Badger, you’re no stranger to winterizing your Milwaukee home. From blowing out your sprinkler to detaching your garden hose, you’re always prepared for the season.

The promise of a toasty home and a hot cup of coffee waiting for you is the motivation you need to shovel the sidewalk and driveway early on a snowy morning. There’s nothing better than falling asleep to the low hum of your furnace while you watch the snow fall outside your window.

However, your cozy winter routine is disrupted when a loud clanging noise overpowers the quiet hum, and after a rough night of sleep, you walk into the kitchen and quickly turn around to grab your jacket. If you’ve got a faulty furnace, it can quickly turn into an uncomfortable and unsafe winter.

What are the biggest warning signs that your furnace won’t make it through the winter?

Watch for These Furnace Red Flags

Your Energy Bills are Higher

Increasing energy bills are not only inconvenient but a sign that your furnace may not be working as efficiently as it once was. If there is a worn down or broken component in your system, the furnace has to work harder to maintain your desired temperature. This additional strain can wear out other pieces of your furnace, causing more costly repairs down the road.

Your System is Blowing Cold Air

When it comes to staying warm in the winter, you don’t want to play a game of Opposite Day with your furnace and feel cold air blowing out of the vents when you expect warm air. If your system is blowing cold air, it often means something is dirty, clogged, or blocked. The cold air can also be due to a safety mechanism that stops your furnace from overheating to prevent fire hazards. Or, your pilot light could be out.

Your Unit is Noisy

It’s normal for your furnace to produce a low humming noise. If it becomes unusually loud, or you hear something else, like a banging or whining, your furnace needs to be looked at as soon as possible.

Strange noises can be caused by worn-out belts or can indicate a broken blower fan or flaky capacitor. If it’s a damaged blower fan or capacitor, your furnace needs immediate attention before you are stuck with a complete system shut-down. If questionable furnace noises wake you up in the dead of night, don’t spend the rest of the night awake and anxious. Use our emergency repair services and get back to resting safely and comfortably.

Inconsistent Heating

It can be a shocking surprise to walk through a doorway in your home and feel like you’ve stepped outside. While uneven heating can indicate an issue with your ductwork, it can also be caused by a worn-out belt or a faulty evaporator coil. Since inconsistent heating can signal a wide range of issues, you want a technician who knows how to properly diagnose and fix the issue before your furnace shuts down and you’re left with every room feeling cold. (Hint: that’s us. 😉)

Quickly Turning On and Off (or not at all)

A furnace in good working order needs to do two essential things: turn on and stay on long enough for your home to reach your desired temperature. If your furnace isn’t turning on at all, or it’s cycling on and off rapidly (within 5 minutes of each other), there is an underlying issue that needs to be resolved.

A problem like this is often caused by a clog, whether it’s small, like an air filter, or something larger, like the furnace burner or a sensor. Whatever it is, it’s something you want to get fixed before your furnace gains any additional damages.

The Fan Runs Constantly

Your HVAC fan improves air circulation and allows for more consistent and faster heating throughout your home. However, if it’s running continuously, there might be something broken in your furnace. If you haven’t manually changed your fan settings to make it run constantly, you might be dealing with a damaged limit switch or faulty thermostat wiring, which you want to get looked at promptly.

Start with these Furnace Fixes

Many of these warning signs have a variety of causes. Some are simple and can be done safely by yourself, while others are best left to the professionals. So, what can you do to fix your furnace? Always make sure all the vents are open, allowing for proper airflow throughout your home.

Then, take a look at your air filter. If it’s dirty, you should replace it. If you are constantly having to replace your air filter, you may need a duct cleaning or need to get an air filter with a higher MERV rating to better filter out the dust and allergens in your air. For most residential homes, finding an air filter with a MERV rating of 8 will suit your needs without limiting your system’s efficiency.

Finally, you’ll want to go outside to check on your exhaust and intake vents. If they are blocked with ice, snow, or other debris, clear it away.

Call Capital for Your Furnace Repairs

If you’ve tried all the simple fixes and your furnace is still giving you trouble, give us a call. You don’t want to be without heat in the middle of winter. That’s why we believe in same-day repairs, seven days a week. We’ll send a certified technician to save your day right away!