As summer slowly starts to fade away and fall and winter approach, most people start to think about heating their home once again. In some parts of the country, having a solid furnace and heating system is the only way to stay warm and safe from the frigid outdoor temperatures.
While your heating system and furnace will often work flawlessly, this isn’t always the case. Making sure to call in heating repair services to deal with issues is important, but first you need to be able to identify these problems.
But what are some of the most common heating issues that homeowners face and how can they deal with them? Well, that is exactly what this article is going to take a closer look at.
Low Airflow From Your Vents and Registers
Among the most common heating issues in many homes is simply a relatively weak airflow coming from vents and registers. This weak airflow means that warm air is struggling to get throughout your home, and it may not be as comfortable as you would have liked it.
There are several potential reasons why you may be getting less-than-optimal airflow coming from your furnaces. Your vents may be partially closed, your ducts or filter may be clogged, or there could be an issue with the blower motor or another mechanical issue could be occurring.
Dealing with these issues can range from incredibly easy, to a little more difficult. If your vents are closed, simply opening them all the way will help and if the issue is filter-related, simply replace it. If your ducts are clogged or the blower motor is failing, you will likely need to call in an appropriate expert who can help.
There are Strange Scents or Sounds Coming From Your Furnace
No furnace will operate in complete silence, but you will eventually learn what the normal operation of your furnace sounds like. However, there are also some noises your furnace may make that are out of the ordinary and should be inspected further. This includes rattling, bangs, squeals, and other noises you haven’t heard before.
In addition to unique sounds, you may also experience strange furnace odors. This may include a musty scent, a scent like burning plastic, or even a sewer-like scent. These scents could be from mold, from a malfunction, or some part of the system being burnt. If you smell something strange and believe it could be furnace-related, turn the system off and call in an expert.
Each sound and smell can mean something completely different, so the only way to truly know what is wrong is to call in a professional to check things out.
Cool Air is Coming From the Vents
While an issue of low airflow can be common, so is the problem of cool air coming from your vents instead of warm air. This can often be due to the thermostat being set to the wrong temperature, but it also could mean something is wrong with your system.
The main culprit here is often a malfunctioning ignition or the fact that the gas line is closed and fuel simply cannot move towards where it is eventually ignited. This means air will still flow, but will not be warm. Things like duct leaks, and clogged filters can also be the issue.
Unless you have experience repairing these issues yourself, it is best to leave it up to a pro to ensure the job gets done right.
In conclusion, these are some of the most common heating issues you may encounter in your home, and we hope this article has helped you learn how to deal with them.