With the winter months in full swing, it’s crucial to ensure that your furnace heater is fully functional. If your furnace is beginning to struggle in keeping your room at a stable and comfortable temperature, you must keep a closer eye on it.
The sooner you address these problems, the more likely that you’ll be able to nip the issue in the bud before they develop into more expensive repairs. Early detection can also help you avoid the trouble and discomfort of swapping out your old furnace for a new one and having it installed by a furnace service.
As the winter months progress, make sure to watch out for these subtle signs of a failing furnace:
1. Yellow burner flame
One of the easiest ways to check the health of your gas-powered furnace is by checking its flames. You will have to open the furnace on some models, while others have convenient peepholes that allow you to peer into the fires’ condition. Remember that your burner flames should always be complete, if not predominantly blue.
A yellow flame signifies that the gas isn’t burning off completely and may require a burner inspection. Sometimes all it needs is a thorough cleaning!
Remember, when it comes to gas-powered furnaces, the blue flames are hotter—which means it will be able to heat your home efficiently.
2. Intermittent power cycling
A furnace that’s cycling on and off could mean many things—all of which point that something is wrong with your furnace heater. If you have no professional experience with furnace repair, it’s best to contact a professional instead! A furnace service specialist can inspect the furnace and determine what’s causing the intermittent power cycling.
Two of the most common issues are a dying fan motor and a dirty heat sensor. If it’s the latter, a furnace service specialist will make short work of it by cleaning the sensor. However, if it’s a dying fan motor, you’ll either have to repair it or buy a new unit.
3. Moisture buildup
Another tell-tale sign of a failing burner is the subtle build-up of moisture on your home’s ceilings, walls, and windows. Moisture buildup means there’s too much humidity in your indoor air and can signify problems with the vents or the furnace itself.
One way to address is by inspecting your vents for any blockage and replacing your air filters if needed. If that doesn’t solve the issue, call a furnace service specialist immediately!
4. Unstable temperature
Suppose you find yourself continually tweaking your thermostat to look for a comfortable temperature. In that case, it’s best to contact a technician to see if a thermostat repair or replacement will fix the issue. However, if the problem persists, the issue could be with your furnace, thus requiring you to have a furnace replacement done instead!
5. Inordinately high power bill
A spike in your power bill is usually not a reason for concern when it comes to your furnace’s health. However, if it comes with other signs, such as an unstable temperature or power fluctuations, then it could be caused by a furnace heater struggling to keep up with your heating requirements.
If your furnace heater is old enough to drive, it’s probably high time to swap it out for a better one before it fails completely!
Conclusion
Winter is a bad time to be dealing with a broken furnace heater, so it’s best to spot these issues before they cause more damage. If you notice any of these problems, contact a reputable furnace service near you immediately.
Air 1 LLC is your best bet for servicing furnace heaters in Whippany, Morris County, Bergen County, Essex County, and Union County in New Jersey. Besides being experts at HVAC systems, we also handle services in Hydronics. Contact us today to learn more about our services.