No one is ready for their furnace to break down in the middle of a frigid central Wisconsin day or night. Luckily, it’s possible to prevent complete breakdowns simply by paying attention to the signs your furnace gives you. Most units that are in need of furnace repairs exhibit one or more of the following issues, so if you notice any of these signs, call a heating and cooling professional for help right away.
1. Your Energy Bills Suddenly Become More Costly
When your winter energy bills suddenly jump up and you’re unsure why, it’s time to take a close look at your furnace. Aging units will experience a drop in efficiency, and that decreased efficiency will inevitably cause your heating bills to increase.
If the increase is substantial, it may be time to start considering furnace replacement, but call a heating a cooling professional before you make a decision. A pro can let you know whether furnace repair or replacement is the more cost-effective long-term solution, and from there, you can make the choice that works best for your budget.
2. You Notice Weird Odors When Your Furnace Is On
If you ever notice a burning or melting odor coming from your vents when your furnace is operational, turn the unit off immediately and call a furnace repair specialist right away. Your unit’s blower motor may be overworked, which can cause cracks to develop in its heat exchanger. If that happens, carbon monoxide could leak into your home and put you and your family’s health, and perhaps even your lives, at risk.
3. Your Interior Temperature Isn’t Consistent
Have you noticed that some of the rooms in your home are warm while others feel cold? If so, this issue could be a product of a few different HVAC problems. The first and most common is leaky ductwork. Aside from issues with your air ducts, damaged zone controls, short cycling, blocked/closed vents, and even filthy air filters can cause this particular problem.
To determine whether you need to call in a furnace repair specialist, the first thing you should do is check whether all of your air vents are open. If any are closed or nearly closed, open them up to allow warm air to flow through. If vents aren’t your issue, check your air filter, and if it’s filthy, swap it out for a clean one.
If neither of those solutions solves your problem, it’s time to call a heating and cooling specialist who can diagnose your furnace and fix whatever’s causing the problem. An HVAC pro can also inspect your ductwork for leaks and perform duct repairs if necessary.
4. Your Furnace Cycles Repeatedly
Does your furnace appear to be starting, then turning off, then starting itself again? If so, that’s not normal, and it could be due to a couple of issues. Your thermostat may be malfunctioning or you may have a dirty heat sensor that isn’t able to properly detect the ambient temperature inside your home. Aside from those two problems, the furnace itself may be having issues with a dirty blower wheel, poor airflow, or blocked air supply vents.
Regardless of what you think might be causing the issue, you’ll want to have a furnace repair specialist check things out. Calling in the pros is the quickest way to get your unit back up and functioning properly, and when it’s freezing outdoors, you can’t really afford to wait.
Want to ensure you hire a specialist you can trust? Check out our top tips for finding the best local furnace repair company.
Need Furnace Repairs Near Wisconsin Rapids? Call Steve’s Plumbing & Heating
If your furnace appears to be having issues, get in touch with our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating right away. We can diagnose your unit, perform the appropriate repairs on the spot, and if you need a new heater, we’ll let you know about your furnace replacement options, too. To get started, feel free to request a service estimate online or give us a call today at 715-421-1800.