How to Know if Your Furnace Needs Repairs

The winter season is right around the corner, and most of us have started shuffling through our closets for warm clothes and prepping our heating systems to be ready for the upcoming chilly season. This time of gradual temperature drop is ideal for scheduling furnace inspections so that you have enough time to finish repairs and replacements, if any are needed, before the winter peaks.

Here Toshack lists some tell-tale signs that highlight the need for furnace repairs.

Odd Sounds from Furnace

If your furnace is making unusual sounds, it may be time to schedule a furnace repair. Here are some top noises you may be noticing and their possible causes:

• Scraping Noises: A recurrent scraping sound from your furnace can be a hint of a malfunctioning or loose blower wheel. Luckily, this problem is easily solved. Just call a furnace repair professional to tighten the wheel or replace the faulty part, and viola, your furnace is good as ever!

• Banging or Popping: If your furnace makes a loud popping or banging noise when it starts, it could mean you have a dust issue or a clog. A grimy furnace will hinder the burners’ performance and cause gas build-up. When this build-up comes in contact with the flame, it results in the loud ‘bang’ sound that you hear outside. If you ignore this problem for long, it can cause severe damage to your furnace or even become a safety hazard. Thus, it is imperative that you get it checked soon as you notice the issue.

Another common reason for the popping sound could be the expansion and contraction of your air ducts. If you use common ducts for the heating and cooling system, then you might experience this sound at the start of the season. This is because, after a long time of being exposed to hot (or cold) air, when the metal ducts get in contact with cold (or hot) air, they contract and make a loud bang. However, you should hear this noise only about once every season. So, if you are hearing it often, it could mean that your ducts are either ill-fitted, undersized or clogged.

Furnace Blowing Cold Air

There are a few common causes for this furnace issue. The first one is a simple setting error on the thermostat. To correct it, just make sure your thermostat is set to ‘auto’ so it will only blow air when it is heating.

Another reason for cool air from the furnace could be dirty or blocked air filters. If you do not maintain your filters properly, it may cut off proper airflow and result in the overheating of the furnace. An overheated furnace will stop blowing heat to counter the effects and thus lead to cold air.

Top Furnace Repair Solutions in Kingston & Brockville

Toshack offers expert furnace repair services in Kingston & Brockville. Request a FREE quote today!