Winter in Anoka, MN and the surrounding areas is very harsh. The cold months here bring temperatures well below freezing and often severe winter storms. Your furnace works hard for months to keep your home heated. Unfortunately, the heavy workload of winter in this climate can cause your furnace to break down entirely. This obviously brings bad news for anyone. However, furnaces do not typically just stop out of nowhere; they show warning signs first.
At Liberty Comfort Systems, we know that a furnace breakdown is never convenient. In fact, it can result in a serious emergency. This is why we want to empower you with information to fight back against a heating breakdown. By recognizing the signs and taking the right steps, you may prevent a total breakdown of your furnace. Here is some information that will help you better maintain your heating unit.
Unexpected Increases in Energy Bills
The first sign of a struggling furnace is higher energy bills. Your furnace ends up running much harder and longer than usual. It cannot reach the thermostat temperature as easily as it used to, so the runtime increases. This is certainly reflected in your monthly bill. If you have any records, compare this year’s bills to last year’s to see if the most recent bills show a spike.
This increased run time consumes more fuel or electricity, leading to higher costs. Some variation can be normal, especially as energy costs increase. However, unexplained spikes serve as a tell-tale sign of a struggling furnace.
Strange or Loud Noises
Furnaces can be noisy. They have many moving parts, and forced air is pushing through your ductwork. However, you know how your furnace typically sounds. If you hear it making noises you’re not used to, that could be a sign that something is wrong. Strange or sudden, loud noises are a bad sign.
Keep your ears open for these troubling sounds:
- Squealing or screeching
- Banging or thumping
- Rattling and vibrating
- Persistent clicking
- Loud humming
Belts that have slipped or frayed will squeal. Delayed ignition or a cracked heat exchanger could create a bang. Rattling suggests panels are loose or the motor mount is compromised. A noisy furnace means you should call us in to have a look.
Frequent System Cycling
A furnace that kicks on and shuts off too frequently is “short-cycling.” Instead of running until it reaches a set temperature, something within the machinery causes it to shut down abruptly. The issue here goes beyond your home not heating up. The action of kicking on repeatedly puts immense strain on your ignitor and motor. This significantly shortens the lifespan of your furnace.
Short-cycling is often caused by a dirty air filter that restricts airflow, but other issues can also exist. A malfunctioning thermostat or an overheating heat exchanger could also be the culprit. When you have a short-cycling system, it is time to give our team at Liberty Comfort Systems a call for an inspection.
Uneven Heating Throughout the Home
Furnaces rely on a powerful blower fan to force heated air through ductwork. As these units age, that force becomes less powerful. The result is uneven and inefficient heat. Your living room feels cool while the dining room stays warm, for instance. Some temperature variation is normal for larger homes, but you will know when the system is out of balance.
When the furnace can’t push air through the vents with enough force, the rooms furthest from the unit suffer the most. Adjusting the vents or cranking up the thermostat will not help. Your furnace or its blower motor is likely nearing the end of its life.
Changes in Pilot Light Color
In gas furnaces, the color of the pilot light says a lot about the system. A healthy furnace will have a crisp, steady blue flame. This means the system burns fuel efficiently and cleanly. A yellow light, or a flickering flame, acts as a big warning sign that the fuel is not burning completely.
A yellow flame can be a sign of carbon monoxide production, which creates a serious safety hazard for your household. This could happen for several reasons. Dirt buildup on the burner, a damaged thermocouple, or parts out of alignment could contribute. This is certainly a case where you need to give us a call.
How To Prevent a Winter Breakdown
Now that you know some warning signs, let’s talk about how to prevent a breakdown. At the first sign of trouble, call us for an inspection and repairs. The things that cause your furnace to fail are not DIY fixes. You can’t simply slap duct tape on a part or nudge a blower fan to perk the system back up. You need professional diagnostics, tools, and repairs to ensure the system is functioning safely and efficiently.
However, you can still take steps to help prolong the life of your furnace. Start by changing your air filters regularly, at least every 90 days or sooner if you have pets in your home. Clogged air filters increase the mechanical stress on your furnace. Also, make sure your registers and return vents remain free and clear. The idea is to take as much stress off your furnace as possible.
The Importance of Professional Maintenance
Regular professional care is the most effective way to ensure your furnace survives the harsh winter. Investing in furnace maintenance in Anoka provides peace of mind that your system remains safe and efficient.
During a maintenance visit, our technician cleans and tunes the system for optimum performance. Our technicians also clean the burners, inspect the heat exchanger, lubricate moving parts, tighten connections, and more. Once a serious problem occurs, you can’t do much beyond calling the professionals for repairs. Regular maintenance, however, prolongs the life of your system and limits the need for complex repairs.
Choosing the Right Contractor for Your Home Furnace
When you suspect your furnace is failing, you need a team you can trust to provide an honest assessment. Liberty Comfort Systems is the top HVAC contractor in Anoka. Our professional technicians can maintain, diagnose, and repair all major makes and models of furnaces. We also handle AC issues, heating repair, and more. We have a team of NATE-certified technicians and an A+ BBB rating. Because we live and work here, we know precisely how harsh this climate can be. We take great care to respond to your call as quickly as possible. The comfort and safety of you and your family remain our priority on every job.
Reach out to our team at Liberty Comfort Systems now for furnace services in Anoka that will help prevent a full breakdown.
