How to Tell When a Furnace Requires Professional Attention

Household heating systems often seem to break down just when cold snaps reach their peaks. This isn't just a matter of ironic chance —this happens because the systems are working their hardest to keep indoor environments warm. Fortunately, homeowners can circumvent these breakdowns with a few carefully chosen maintenance strategies.

It should go without saying that filers should be changed on a regular basis, but many people simply forget these tasks until the time comes when neglect causes problems.

One of the surest signs that a furnace needs immediate attention in order to keep running is unnatural noises. All furnaces make some type of humming sound while they are in use, but furnaces that bang, whine, or otherwise begin produces odd noises should be looked at by a professional furnace service in Cleveland as soon as possible.

Homeowners should shut the furnace off if loud banging occurs and use an alternative heat source until the problem has been identified and repaired. The problem could be as simple as a loose belt, but it could also be serious enough to pose a potential danger to household residents. Faulty furnaces account for a significant number of house fires during the winter months.

Another signs that repairs may be in order is when the furnace simply doesn't work as well as before. this could mean that the thermostat is broken or damaged and simply isn't sending the right signal to the main unit. It could also be because the pilot light is malfunctioning or that the furnace has developed internal leaks.

The color of the pilot light flame is a good indicator of whether a furnace is in good condition. Pilot light flames of furnaces that are functioning well are blue. A yellow flame indicates that there may be too much carbon monoxide in the picture. This is a condition that should never be ignored. Furnaces that fail to stay on also require immediate attention.

If household residents seem to suffer from an inordinate amount of allergies, breathing problems, and cry, itchy eyes and noes during the winter season, that could be due to a malfunctioning furnace. The blower could be blowing bits of allergens such as mold throughout the entire home. Also, furnaces have optimal life spans of 20 years, so older furnaces may have reached a point where they simply need to be replaced.