Each year, deadly fires and carbon monoxide poisonings are caused by malfunctioning furnaces. These things usually happen because the homeowners were not aware that anything was wrong with the heating unit. However, there are warning signs that can let homeowners know that a problem has arisen within a heater. These signs can indicate that it may be time to call in a professional to inspect the furnace before it is turned on for the winter.
A clear sign that the furnace is having a problem is a noticeable temperature difference in certain rooms of the home. If some rooms are cold but others hot, that could be an indication that a residential heating contractor needs to be called. Having to constantly adjust the thermostat can mean that the flow of heat from the furnace is not being distributed in the proper way. Any time a gas heater turns on, the flames can be seen as the air is heated. The color of the flame in a furnace should be blue, like the flame of a gas stove when the burners are turned on. If the flames are yellow, this is an indication of the presence of carbon monoxide. A residential heating contractor from a company like Poudre Valley Air should be called in right away. Exposure to this odorless gas causes side effects like headaches, nausea, and dizziness, and in extreme cases, death.
When the heater kicks on, it makes a series of specific noises. These noises can be heard when the burner turns on and the fan switches over to distribute the heated air. Over the course of many years, most homeowners come to recognize the sounds their heater makes. Any new sounds coming from the furnace should be noticeable and can be a sign something is malfunctioning or wearing out in the furnace. Noises like knocking, squeaking, or popping can mean something is already broken internally. Another unusual sound that homeowners should listen for is when the internal fan blows constantly and does not turn off when it should.
Heaters need to function properly to keep a home warm and the homeowners and their families safe. If a furnace malfunctions, the results can be an annoyance at the least and a tragedy at the most. Strange sounds, overheating parts, and odd smells are all signs that a heating contractor needs to be called in to inspect the unit.
