Don’t Ignore These 5 Signs That You Need a Heating System Repair

The nighttime temperature in Dalton, Georgia, has dipped below the freezing mark several times this fall. As a result, homeowners have started using their heating systems earlier than unusual to stay warm. Hopefully, you’ve already scheduled preventive maintenance for your furnace or heat pump. But if not, it’s never too late to protect your heating system from breakdowns. Here are five signs that you need to schedule a heating system repair right away:

Unusual Smells

When you turn your furnace on for the first time this fall, you’ll likely notice a burning smell. That’s because, when a heating system doesn’t operate for an extended period, dust settles on its outer surface and in its inner components. When you turn your furnace on, the dust that has accumulated will burn inside the system and cause a smell. Don’t worry, though. A burning smell coming from your furnace, especially the first time you operate it, isn’t a significant concern.

If you notice the smell of a distinct chemical odor similar to formaldehyde, the heat exchanger in your furnace has likely cracked. This critical component cycles heat out of the combustion chamber into the plenum. Repairing this is vital because a broken heat exchanger increases your risk of fire and exposure to carbon monoxide fumes.

A sulfur or rotten egg smell indicates a problem with the gas supply, and an electrical or metallic odor stems from too much heat somewhere within your furnace. Schedule a heating system repair immediately to fix the issue.

Strange Noises

It’s normal for your furnace or heat pump to make sounds as it turns on, shuts off and operates. But some noises signal a significant problem with your heating system. If you hear a high-pitched squealing noise, you likely have a malfunctioning blow motor or a frayed blower belt. If you hear scraping or banging, a part is probably loose and requires tightening or replacing. To prevent these easy repairs from causing further damage, schedule a heating system repair.

No Heating

If you don’t feel warm air coming out of your home’s supply vents, don’t panic. First, check the thermostat to make sure you’ve set it to “heat” and that the temperature setting is higher than how warm it is in your house. If that doesn’t work, set the fan switch to “on” to force the heating system to start blowing air. In most cases, adjusting the thermostat will fix this issue. But if your furnace still isn’t blowing warm air, you’ll need professional help.

Higher Energy Bills

Compare this year’s heating bills with last year. Is there a significant difference without an increase in your local energy costs? Numerous problems can cause this spike, including poor insulation, bad thermostat habits and dirty ductwork. But the most common reason for this spike in heating bills is usually a neglected furnace. Preventive maintenance helps to prevent higher heating bills. Schedule a heating system repair to find the reason for this surge.

Yellow Pilot Light

If you own an electric furnace or a heat pump, you don’t have to worry about this problem. But if you have an oil or a gas furnace, pay attention. Your furnace’s pilot light should burn blue. If your furnace’s pilot light is yellow, it’s wasting energy and increasing your risk of exposure to carbon monoxide. The best course of action is to turn the furnace off and schedule a professional heating system repair immediately. Otherwise, you risk grave consequences.

Do you suspect that your furnace or heat pump isn’t operating at peak efficiency? Don’t let a small issue turn into a significant problem that costs a lot to fix. Contact Dalton Heating & Air today at 706-619-2799 to schedule a heating system repair. Our experienced team of HVAC professionals will work hard to restore your comfort and peace of mind.