Believe it or not, the average American spends more than $598 on heating costs alone each year. And the more the furnace gets used, the higher those costs will get.
But use isn’t the only thing that can dramatically increase your heating costs. A damaged or broken unit can as well. The sooner you get it repaired, the better.
So, how do you know when it’s time to schedule an emergency furnace repair instead of waiting it out? Watch for these tell-tale signs it’s time to call a heating repair technician immediately.
1. Your Breakers Keep Tripping
Every furnace uses electricity when it cycles on. But that energy usage shouldn’t be overwhelming.
If you notice that your breakers keep tripping, you need emergency furnace repair immediately. Tripped breakers are a way for your home’s electrical system to prevent overloading the circuits.
And every time those breakers get tripped, you lose electricity to every outlet and appliance on that circuit. Once you reset the breaker, you’ll regain power. But if it keeps happening, it’s going to get frustrating!
Worse, it’s a sign that something’s not right with your furnace. The sooner you get it repaired, the better.
2. There’s Water Around the Furnace
Water is one of the key components of standard residential furnaces. It’s what helps you keep your home warm. And sometimes, it can leak out of your furnace.
And when it does, your home is at risk for water damage. If left untreated, it soaks into the foundation, the walls, and the flooring. Over time, it can lead to mold and mildew growth throughout your home, not just around the furnace.
But water leaks can make your furnace less efficient. Emergency repairs will take care of those leaks before they have the chance to do serious damage to the rest of your home. And over time, this means you’ll save money on future repairs.
3. It Makes Loud Noises Every Time It Runs
All furnaces make some noise when they turn on. And you’ll hear it, but will likely tune it out while the furnace runs.
But as soon as the furnace starts making strange noises or the volume of those noises gets louder, you’ll take notice.
If you hear something that sounds strange or overly loud, it’s time to make an appointment.
In most cases, loud noises come from loose parts and components in the furnace itself. The longer it sits, the worse the problem will get. And you could end up damaging your system beyond repair.
Getting it fixed immediately will extend the life of your furnace.
4. The System’s Not Keeping Up
You rely on your furnace to keep your home warm. But what happens when it just won’t keep up with your thermostat settings? You need to call an emergency repair technician.
If your unit can’t keep your home warm enough, you won’t just be cold. Your pipes could freeze, your electronics could get damaged, and you’ll end up searching for ways to trap warm air inside.
There’s only so much tea you can drink in a day.
If you feel that your system isn’t keeping up with your thermostat settings, get it inspected. It could be as simple as replacing the thermostat. But there could be an underlying issue with the furnace itself that will set you up for a cold winter.
5. You Smell Gas
Gas leaks are one of the most severe safety issues any homeowner can experience. Luckily, the signs of a gas leak are easy to spot. You just need to pay attention to the sounds and smells in your home.
If you smell something similar to rotten eggs coming from your furnace, it’s likely you have a gas leak.
Turn off the gas main and call your emergency technician immediately. Gas leaks can lead to fires if you’re not careful. And the sooner you get the leak repaired, the safer your home will be.
Keep in mind that gas leaks aren’t something you should ever try to repair on your own. It takes training and experience to know how to work with gas mains and
6. The Furnace Keeps Turning On and Off
Your furnace should run consistently until your home reaches the temperature on your thermostat. Once it does, it will cut off and turn back on when temperatures get lower than that setting.
But that doesn’t mean it will turn on and off frequently under normal conditions. And if yours does, you need to get it repaired immediately.
Furnaces that keep cycling on and off quickly throughout the day are prone to unexpected breakdowns and wear and tear. And no one wants to be without their furnace in the middle of winter.
Pay attention to how often the furnace turns on. If it runs for a short time and turns back on soon after turning off, get it fixed.
7. All You Get Is Cold Air
If your furnace isn’t keeping you warm, it’s not doing its job. And it puts you and everyone in your home at risk.
Put your hand in front of the air vent and see what temperature air gets pushed out by the furnace. If it’s warm, you’re in good shape. But if it’s cold, schedule repairs immediately.
A furnace that can’t heat the air won’t heat your home. The sooner you get it fixed, the safer everyone in your home will be.
Do You Need Emergency Furnace Repair?
If you think your furnace isn’t working right, don’t put off repairs until it seems more convenient. Schedule an emergency furnace repair as soon as you notice the problem.
The faster you get it taken care of, the better off your home and your furnace will be. Remember, leaving even minor issues alone can lead to catastrophic breakdowns right when you need your furnace most.
If you’re worried about your furnace, don’t wait. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and let our team take care of the repairs fast.