Everything wears out over time. All systems will eventually need a repair or replacement. Last month, we discussed five symptoms that you may experience with furnaces and what could be the underlying issues with each. This month, we are going to round out the list with five more symptoms you may experience with the furnace system in your Missoula home.
Symptom #1: Loud Banging Sound When Heat Kicks On
If your furnace system is kicking on and producing heat, but there is a loud banging sound when it kicks on each cycle, you may have a potentially dangerous situation.
What Could Be The Cause?
1. Ignition System not Functioning up to Par
*The Fix: This could be a dangerous situation caused by a buildup of moisture or fuel in the ignition system and increases the explosion beyond what is safe at the beginning of each cycle. In this case, you will want to turn off your furnace and use an alternative heat source until you can get a Missoula HVAC contractor out to your house for repair. Ideally, this issue would be prevented with yearly maintenance in the off-season.
2. Expansion and/or Contraction of Metal Ductwork
*The Fix: You may be able to solve this issue as easily as replacing the air filter in your furnace system. You should also check the dampers and connections between each section of ductwork. If there is damaged or disconnected ductwork, it will need to be repaired or replaced.
Symptom #2: High Energy Bills In Your Missoula Home
If your energy bills have started increasing and you have not changed your heat usage, you may have a problem.
What Could Be The Cause?
1. Dirty Air Filters: This can restrict air flow, causing the fans to work harder to bring air through.
*The Fix: Replacing the air filter should do the trick here. If the furnace has been running with a dirty air filter for an extended period of time, other issues may have begun to affect efficiency and effectiveness as well. If it has been a long time since you last changed the air filter and your energy bills have become high, you should schedule an inspection of your HVAC system with your trusted Missoula HVAC contractors.
2. Clogged Ducts: Clogged ducts can restrict air flow, causing your HVAC system to work overtime to maintain the same level of comfort.
*The Fix: You will need to clear your ductwork of whatever is clogging it up. Sometimes a child’s toy has fallen down the heat register, or a number of dampers have become jammed and are blocking part or all of a line of ductwork. Sometimes, you can do this on your own if the obstruction is near the end of the line. However, there are times when you will need to call a Missoula HVAC contractor to bring our longer equipment or a camera that can reach down into the ductwork to find the blockage.
3. Old Furnace: An aging furnace that is wearing out will increase your energy bills. You may not notice it at first because the increase can become gradual and may just seem like inflation. However, at some point, you will recognize that the change in monthly energy costs is drastically different in the seasons you use your furnace versus those you do not.
*The Fix: At some point, there isn’t a unique issue to be fixed, as much as the unit as a whole is aging and wearing out. As your older unit becomes less efficient, give Missoula HVAC contractors a call to discuss your replacement options.
Symptom #3: Blowing Cold Air
If your furnace is kicking on and air is flowing, but it is not warm, your home will not be able to maintain a comfortable temperature in a very short amount of time.
What Could Be The Cause?
1. Malfunctioning Thermostat: A faulty thermostat may cause a wide variety of symptoms. Fortunately, it is one of the easiest fixes!
*The Fix: First, you will want to check that your thermostat is set to “heat” to be sure it is trying to send warm air. If that is not your issue, the next thing to check on is the power source. You will want to replace the batteries of your thermostat.
2. Ignition Problems: Your furnace may be having problems with igniting the heat source. Everything else would be functioning, causing air to blow through the system, but it never gets heated.
*The Fix: The first place you can check is the circuit breakers, oil or gas intake and verify that the furnace is receiving power. Next, the drain pan, air filter and ignitor sensor are further items to check on. If you are not sure how to safely take those steps or have done them and still do not have warm air in your home, it is time to contact your local Missoula HVAC contractors.
3. Restricted Airflow: If a small amount of air is going into the furnace, a small amount of air will be heated. Insufficient air being heated and pumped out will result in cool air in the living space.
*The Fix: This can be managed by simply changing out the air filter. If there has been restricted airflow for an extended period of time, other issues may have developed. If you have not scheduled your yearly maintenance appointment with your trusted Missoula HVAC contractors, go ahead and schedule that before Winter comes back.
Symptom #4: Frequent Repairs
If your furnace unit is requiring a repair every month or more, you are dealing with frequent repairs. Most issues can be prevented or caught early at yearly maintenance inspections by Missoula HVAC contractors. If you have kept up with maintenance and are still having frequent repairs, you likely have a secondary issue.
What Could Be The Cause?
1. Improper Previous Repair: If you had your furnace repaired and soon thereafter noticed a new issue, it could be that a defective part was installed or that a part was improperly installed.
*The Fix: If you suspect this is the issue, you should contact the Missoula HVAC contractors who completed the previous repair. There should be a workmanship guarantee or a parts guarantee to ensure your fault can be remedied.
2. Underlying Issues: Sometimes, one issue can be the cause of another. The secondary issue gets fixed, but the initial issue can go unnoticed, causing the secondary issue to pop back up.
*The Fix: If you think there is an issue with your furnace beyond what was recently repaired, you should contact Garden City Plumbing & Heating professionals to come out for an inspection. Having a fresh set of eyes can help to find further issues.
3. Aging Furnace Unit: If your furnace is getting old, it can seem like parts are wearing out left and right. As products age, they experience a lot of accumulated wear and tear.
*The Fix: There will come a point when it is time to replace your furnace. If you think you are getting to this point with your aging furnace, contact Missoula HVAC contractors to see what your options are.
Symptom #5: Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Carbon monoxide exposure poses serious health risks and must be taken seriously. If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, get outside to fresh air immediately and do not re-enter the structure until it has been deemed safe by emergency personnel. Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly when inhaled over a period of time.
What Could Be The Cause?
1. A Leak in the Furnace’s Combustion System: Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of combustion. If there is a leak in the combustion system, carbon monoxide can leak into the ambient air that your family is breathing. This is a dangerous situation because it could be a fire hazard.
*The Fix: The first thing to do in this situation is to call emergency services to ensure your home is safe to re-enter. Calling a Missoula HVAC contractor for an emergency visit will make your home safe and comfortable to spend time in again.
2. A Leak in the Furnace’s Exhaust System: Because carbon monoxide is a byproduct of furnace combustion, it passes through the exhaust system. So, if there is a leak or an improperly installed exhaust system, carbon monoxide could enter your home’s living space.
*The Fix: Step 1 is to exit your home if you suspect carbon monoxide is in your home’s breathing air. Because there is combustion occurring in your Missoula home’s HVAC system, you will want to ensure that your home is safe by calling emergency services. You will need to call a licensed HVAC contractor to come out and repair the leak before re-entering your home.
Missoula HVAC Contractors Are Here To Help With Your Furnace Issues
Whether you are needing to schedule an inspection or make a major repair, Garden City Plumbing and Heating is experienced and available to help you get your home heating system back up and running smoothly! Contact us online or call us at (406) 728-5550 to schedule a visit with one of our technicians.