5 Signs Your Furnace Needs Emergency Maintenance
It is getting colder again in Centennial, and people are already relying on their trusty furnaces to keep the chill at bay.
If you have not looked at your furnace so much during summer, chances are that the system needs maintenance. While you can postpone maintenance until after the winter if there are no obvious issues, some warning signs may indicate that emergency maintenance is required.
So, if you notice the following, it is time to hire a local company for furnace maintenance in Centennial, CO.
1. Carbon Monoxide
If you have a fuel-burning furnace, it produces carbon monoxide as a byproduct. When your furnace functions well, the flue gases leave your home using a flue pipe.
The problem is that heat exchangers tend to rust over the years, making them weak and prone to cracking. When your heat exchanger cracks, it allows flue gases to leak inside your home. When this happens, your family is at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal.
This is why regular maintenance is so important, especially for fuel-burning furnaces. Moreover, you must have a CO detector in your house as well. If you get a CO alert at any time, turn your furnace off immediately and leave the house. Do not go back inside or turn the furnace back on until you have had someone fix the problem.
2. Pilot Light Color Change
Your furnace pilot light must burn blue (methane emits a blue color when it is ignited). If your furnace pilot light burns green, orange, or red, there is a problem with the combustion process.
You must call a technician to check the furnace and adjust the pressure of the fuel supply. There could also be a clogging issue with the air intake valve. The technician will remove dust, rust, and anything else that may be burning with the fuel.
If you cannot relight the pilot light, it is most likely because of a buildup in the intake valve. This buildup leads to a restriction in oxygen. If the pilot goes out after you light it, do not continue trying to relight it.
Instead, call a technician to check for blockages and airflow issues.
3. Water Leaking From or Pooling Around the Furnace
High-efficiency furnaces produce a water byproduct. This is because the drain system is designed to collect heat-produced condensation and direct it to a drain that allows the water to exit the house.
If there is a leak or pooling water around the base of your furnace, it could mean that the drain traps are clogged. It could also indicate restricted internal or external drainpipes. There may also be a problem with the secondary heat exchangers.
If you do not get the leak fixed, it will cause damage to your home’s structure and, potentially, the circuit board. Furthermore, the damage to your furnace will worsen as the constant water destroys the unit from the inside out.
4. Loud Noises
If your furnace makes a rumbling or rattling noise, something is wrong. These loud noises usually indicate that the blower motor has failed or the blower wheel has become unbalanced.
If a squealing sound comes from your furnace, there is likely a problem with the exhaust motor. Should you hear popping or banging sounds, there is probably an issue with loose or broken ductwork.
It is important not to try to fix these types of issues yourself. Instead, call a local technician for assistance.
5. A Strange Smell
Should your furnace emit a rotten, sulfuric smell, there is a gas leak. Gas companies add a chemical that gives natural gas this terrible smell to make gas leaks more obvious.
Natural gas is extremely toxic when inhaled and can lead to serious health problems. If you smell something rotten in your home and start feeling dizzy, nauseous, or tired, you need to evacuate your family and call a professional.
If your furnace smells like it is burning, it could be the blower motor sparking inside the system. As with any strange smell from the furnace, do not ignore this. Turn the furnace off, get out of the house, and call a technician immediately.
A Well-Functioning Furnace Is a Safe Furnace
It is important to recognize the signs of furnace trouble and to have all issues fixed before you use the furnace again. If you notice any of the above signs of a furnace breakdown, call a professional HVAC technician for an inspection and maintenance.
This will ensure your furnace can handle the Colorado winter and your family is safe.
