Furnaces are wonderful HVAC units that keep our home warm in the harsh cold weather. However, there can be nothing awful than a furnace dying in the middle of the night. Or, in worst cases, your furnace can even leak carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas!
As a responsible homeowner, you need to ensure your family’s safety. Therefore, we have developed six warning signs that indicate how safe it is to run your furnace.
6 Warning Signs That Indicate Your Furnace’s Safety
1. Inadequate Heating
Are you observing that some rooms are too cold and some are too hot? Or do you often find cold spots around the home? This indicates that your furnace’s heat distribution capability has gone down. Along with causing discomfort, inadequate heating might escalate to bigger problems shortly.
Therefore, if you experience this problem, do not hesitate to call a furnace repair in Austin, TX.
2. Strange Noises And Odor
If you hear strange noises coming out of your furnace, that’s a sign you need to worry. From loose nuts to failing motors and fans, these noises can be caused by various malfunctions.
Also, off-odors like the “rotten egg” smell is the chemical called mercaptan, which is added to natural gas as a safety indicator. If you smell it inside your house, vacate your home immediately and call an HVAC service in Austin, TX, right away!
3. Poor Indoor Air Quality
A failing furnace generally expels excessive dust as it can no longer filter the air properly. The first thing you must do is check and replace the air filters. However, if you still notice dusty air and surfaces, call a professional right then.
4. Frequent Repairs in A Short Span
As your furnace goes beyond 15-20 years, it starts to wear out. Just like all machines, furnaces have a specific lifespan. As aging furnaces are bound to fail one day, it’s not safe to keep them running. So, if your furnace requires frequent repairs now and then, get it replaced by a furnace service in Austin, TX.
5. Deteriorating Health
Frequent gas leaks and poor indoor air quality can often trigger health issues. Especially, people with chronic illnesses and allergies are prone to get affected easily. If people in your home start getting sick in the winter with health issues like dizziness and nausea, your furnace might be the cause. Shut down the furnace right away and call a professional.
6. Carbon Monoxide Leak
This is the last thing you want to face with your furnace. Yes, failing furnaces can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide that can even be fatal. As it is a colorless and odorless gas, watch out for signs including excessive rust and condensation, no updraft in the chimney, streaky soot, and water dripping at the base of the chimney. Therefore, every house with a furnace must install CO or smoke detectors too.
Not sure if your furnace is safe to run this winter? Contact us for inspection and furnace service in Austin, TX. Call us at (512) 759-4247 to schedule a quote!