Your Furnace Needs a Repair Before Winter Hits

Winter in Sacramento might not be as chilly as it is elsewhere in the country, but nights still tend to get cold. When the temperature drops, the last thing you want is a furnace that gives up on you.

A broken furnace can be inconvenient at best, a hazard in the making at worst. If you notice any signs of issues with it, it’s time to look for assistance from a qualified heating and furnace repair in Sacramento, CA. Fighting the problem early on can save you both your nerves and your money in the long run. Let’s discuss it in detail.

Furnace Repairs Before Winter

Your furnace is one of the most important systems in your home. Many make the mistake of only noticing it when something goes wrong. However, being proactive and thinking ahead can make a huge difference. A well-working furnace means:

• Comfort in your entire house.

• Stable energy bills because the system functions as it should.

• Fewer emergency breakdowns.

• Better air quality for your family.

There’s nothing wrong with repairing something when it’s broken, but why wait when it comes to that? It’s best to think about checking your system before winter hits. In that way, you can repair your heating and furnace in Sacramento, CA, when it’s convenient. Not when it turns into an emergency. Professionals like Alpha Mechanical can help you with that. But first, let’s take a look at what sign you need to pay attention to.

1. Strange Sounds Coming From Your Furnace

Your furnace should be quiet. Sudden noises are a sure sign that something is off. Common sounds include:

• whistling;

• rattling;

• banging. 

A banging sound can mean a problem with the ignition system. Rattling can signal a loose part inside. Whistling usually happens because of clogged air filters or problems within the ducts.

If it sounds strange when it works, it’s best to call an inspection. It might be nothing, or it might break down before you react.

2. Weak Heating in Your Home

When a furnace heats up your home, it should do it evenly. If some rooms are hotter than others, then it’s a bad sign. Poor ventilation or uneven heating might mean you have dirty filters on hand or even ducts that are leaking. It might even be a malfunctioning blower motor.

If your furnace doesn’t carry the hot air efficiently, your home won't heat up properly when the real cold hits. Chilly nights might turn into a nightmare. Solving these issues early will help you make sure that all your rooms are nice and cozy.

3. High Energy Bills With No Extra Use

Of course, your energy bills will go up when it gets colder and you start using your furnace more. But if your bills are way higher than you expect and there’s no apparent reason for it, it might mean that your furnace is broken.

As appliances age, they start using more energy. For example, a dirty filter or airflow can make the furnace run longer and longer because it struggles to do its job properly.

Get your furnace fixed to restore your bills to normal. Professionals like Alpha Mechanical can help you keep everything in working order, especially if you need to repair your furnace and heating system in Sacramento, CA.

4. Furnace Has Difficulty Starting or Staying On

If your furnace won't turn on or is cutting off too quickly, this is not good. This is "short cycling," which means the system switches off and on again and again without actually finishing a full heating cycle.

There are a variety of reasons why this might happen. It can be thermostat malfunctions, overheating, or even electrical problems. A furnace that has trouble staying on not only makes your home cold but also stresses the system way too much. Having a technician fix it for you before winter will help your furnace work better to keep your house warm.

5. Strange Smells from the Heating System

It's normal for a furnace to have a slight smell when you turn it on for the first time in months. But lingering odors mean something's wrong.

A smoldering smell may be due to dust buildup, but it is also possible that it is an electrical issue. A mildew smell usually means that there is mold inside the ducts. A gas smell is more critical—it might mean there is a dangerous leak.

When you notice strange smells, turn off your furnace and call a professional to check. It’s not only a matter of heating, but a question of safety.

6. Yellow Pilot Light Instead of Blue

If your furnace does have a pilot light, check its color. A furnace that works fine will light up blue. A yellow or wavering flame means you have a problem with combustion on your hands.

A yellow flame could mean your furnace is giving off carbon monoxide, which is highly toxic. It doesn’t have a smell or color, but it’s incredibly harmful. If you notice a yellow flame, call a technician immediately to inspect your furnace and make sure it’s safe.

7. Constant Repairs

Most furnaces last about 15 to 20 years. If your system is older and you have to keep calling for repairs, it just might mean you need a new one. A fix here and there is normal, but regular breaks can add up very quickly.

An old furnace might no longer be worth fixing. A specialist can determine if it’s best to repair it or to replace it. Either way, don't wait until your system breaks down completely in the middle of winter. Preemptive action will help you solve the problem before it blows out of scale.

Your furnace works hard to keep you cozy during Sacramento's winter weather. It’s best to look out for any warning signs that something is wrong with it. Detecting these problems in their early stages will help you avoid breakdowns. And those, as we all know, tend to happen at the most inconvenient time. 

If you notice any indications that you need a repair, don’t put it on hold for too long. Contact a technician who will help you prepare your home for the winter ahead. A simple fix today will save you from a big headache tomorrow, after all.

Related Articles:

• Beat the Freeze: Critical Home Areas to Secure Before Winter
• The Ultimate Guide to a Cozy and Connected Home