Signs Your Furnace Needs A Tune-Up
Does your furnace need a tune-up? Whether your San Diego area home is your castle, or lately the source of cabin fever, we tend to spend more time at home during the winter. Making that time as comfortable as possible can be challenging if your heating system is on the fritz.
An aging furnace, or one that’s just acting-up can impact your home’s comfort in a variety of ways, so if you suspect your furnace may need a tune up, find out when it’s time to call in the professionals.
You’re Hearing Furnace Noises
A telltale sign your furnace needs a tune-up is unusual or noticeable noises. The intensity of these noises can vary, and some noises are a perfectly normal part of a functioning furnace.
Others, however, can signal larger issues with the furnace function. If you hear sounds you associate with liquids — like dripping or hissing that can mean a professional’s expertise might be needed. It could be that you’re hearing grinding or groaning sounds, these can also be symptoms of larger problems that need the attention of an experienced HVAC professional.
Your Heating Bill is High
If you’ve noticed a steady increase in your utility bill, the furnace could be to blame. Especially as they age, furnaces can become less efficient — leading to higher costs for you to continue to run it. Most furnaces can be expected to last between 15 and 18 years, so it’s especially likely if your furnace is older that you’ll run into these kinds of issues.
Your Thermostat Can’t Keep Up
If you’re used to keeping your home at a certain temperature, and it’s just not feeling comfortable, this may mean your furnace is to blame. Especially if you find yourself turning your thermostat up without much impact on your home’s comfort, there’s a good chance that something is going wrong with your furnace that’s preventing it from keeping pace with your heat settings.
Your Pilot Light Looks Off
This is an especially important signal for your furnace —if your pilot light burns with anything other than a brilliant, bright blue flame, your furnace is likely struggling and you’ll want to get a professional’s help.
Your Air Quality is Different
Maybe you’ve noticed extra dust around the house. It could also be increased static electricity, indicating that the air in your home is very dry, or you may notice more irritability with allergies and respiratory issues for those at home. All of these air quality indicators can signal that your furnace is struggling to do its job effectively.
Keeping our homes comfortable this winter can impact everything from our physical health to our mental outlook, so it’s important to pay attention if your furnace is trying to tell you something.
How Often Should I Get A Furnace Tune-Up?
If you notice any of the issues above, it is probably smart to look for a furnace tune-up. Typically, we would recommend getting a tune-up at least once a year, doing so in the summer/fall months to make sure you are prepared for the winter to come. This will keep your system running smoothly, saving you time, money, and energy in the long run.
While signs your furnace needs a tune up come in different forms, if you know what to look for you’re more likely to prevent bigger problems in the long run. Not sure if that noise you’re hearing from the garage is normal or cause for concern? Contact our professionals today for experience you can count on for furnace maintenance, noises, and more.
