Winter in Winnipeg is no joke – and if your furnace has shown any of the following signs, it’s time to get it maintained, repaired, or replaced before the cold hits:
1. Strange Noises Coming From Your Furnace
Furnaces make noise – but they shouldn’t make too much noise. Some humming is typical; banging, roaring, rattling, chirping, whistling, and scraping are not. These sounds can be signs of anything from failing blower motors to cracks in your heat exchanger. When your furnace is making weird sounds, it’s time for a tune-up; you may also need furnace repair.
Hissing sounds could be a sign of a gas leak; if you suspect there’s a gas leak in your home, open doors and windows to allow the gas to vent out, leave your house, and call 911.
2. Uneven Heating Around Your Home
Uneven heating can be caused by a whole bunch of different issues, including:
- Clogged or leaky ductwork
- Blocked registers
- Closed doors
We can clean and repair your ducts to help with any clogged or leaky ductwork; blocked registers and closed doors you can handle yourself. Other issues, like poor insulation in certain rooms, can also cause inconsistent heating.
In the worst-case scenario, you may have an improperly sized system; if your furnace is too small, it won’t produce enough heat, while a furnace that’s too large will cycle on and off, preventing your whole home from heating properly. In these cases, you can take advantage of our furnace replacement service.
3. Rising Energy Bills Without Increased Usage
As furnaces get older, their efficiency can drop.
First, check your filters; old filters are one of the top causes of efficiency drops. When your filter is clogged, your furnace needs to work harder to push hot air through your ductwork – that leads to higher energy costs. Improperly sized filters can also cause problems.
Other problems can also lead to a drop in energy efficiency. Clogged or leaking ducts, dirty blower, corroded heat exchangers, burner problems, and other mechanical problems can all reduce the efficiency of your furnace.
These drops in energy efficiency can often be eliminated with routine maintenance or repairs. You can also replace your old furnace – an old furnace is often an inefficient furnace, and a new, high-efficiency furnace could save you a lot of money over time.
4. Furnace Struggles To Start Or Stay On
When your furnace won’t start, it could be a problem with your thermostat – make sure it’s set to “Auto” and set to heat your home to the right temperature for your comfort. If those settings are all correct, there could be a problem with the thermostat itself; you may need it repaired or replaced.
Poor electrical connections, dirty filters causing the furnace to shut down to prevent overheating, faulty flame sensors, and other problems can all make it difficult for your furnace to start or stay on. As mentioned before, an oversized furnace will also cycle on and off.
SWK Mechanical can help you maintain, repair, or replace your furnace to solve these problems.
5. Strange Smells Or Poor Air Quality
A lot of different problems can cause strange smells. A smell of rotten eggs, sewage, or sulphur is likely caused by a gas leak. If you suspect there is a gas leak, open doors and windows, leave your house, and call 911.
In the fall, burning smells could be caused by dust; wait for a couple of hours to see if the smell subsides. Other burning smells could be caused by overheating electrical components and melting parts. Turn off your furnace and call us.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Cold
A furnace that doesn’t work in the winter is the worst kind of furnace. Don’t wait until it’s cold to get your furnace checked; call SWK for fall furnace maintenance!
