Don’t Get Caught in the Cold: Tips To Be Sure Your Furnace is Ready for Winter

Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / October 15, 2019

Your furnace kept you warm last winter but it is a complex instrument that should be inspected yearly for safety and efficiency.

Every year when nighttime temperatures start to drop below freezing we receive contacts from individuals who do not have heat; their furnace quits or it won’t start.   In some situations, these individuals may pay more for emergency/after-hour service or the repair may cost more than it would have if the issue would’ve been caught early.

 

Check Your Furnace Before You Need It

One of the easiest things you can do to save money and stress is to turn your furnace on to make sure it works before you need it.

Weak Airflow: If you barely feel warm air when you stand in front of air vents there could be an issue with the fan that circulates air within the home.

Short Cycling: If your furnace kicks on and off repeatedly, it is short cycling. This could indicate that your thermostat and furnace aren’t communicating or something is causing the heat exchanger to overheat. Your system has many safety features that will shut it down if it overheats.

Headaches or Flu-Like Symptoms: Your furnace may be leaking gas if your family members start developing headaches or nausea after you’ve run your system for a while.  Carbon monoxide comes from a poorly operating burner or a cracked heat exchanger; when fuel doesn’t burn correctly or completely.

NOTE: if you think your furnace may have a leak, (even if your carbon monoxide alarm isn’t sounding) shut it off and contact a professional immediately.

Odd Noises: There may be a broken part in your furnace if it makes noise beyond the sound of the turning on and off and the noise gets louder through the running cycle.

 

Keep Your Furnace Problem Free

If you aren’t experiencing any of these issues, congrats!  To make sure you don’t have to deal with them in the near future, give Hanna a call at 319-377-2809 to schedule a furnace clean, tune and safety inspection. HVAC professionals are here to diagnose and repair specific issues before freezing Iowa winter sets in. A yearly inspection can help keep your furnace running longer and more efficiently, saving you money and stress in the long run.