Preparing for Your Big Day

Posted on: 18 August 2021

Now is the best time to investigate potential problems with your furnace is before you truly need to use it. If you're at all concerned that your heater may not work through the coldest months of the year, you can give it a test run and look out for symptoms that might point to an issue that needs servicing.

Listen for Strange Noises

Many problems can be detected simply by listening for strange sounds that occur when the heater is operating, especially if certain sounds are suddenly louder than usual. For example, banging sounds can indicate a problem with your air ducts or a loose part in the furnace itself, while a shrieking sound can point to a motor going bad.

The best way to check for noise problems is to simply run your furnace and keep it on for at least ten minutes, then listen carefully for any loud or unusual sounds. If something sounds clearly wrong, turn off your heater and avoid turning it on again until it can be inspected by a professional.

Perform a Carbon Monoxide Check

Carbon monoxide is a gas that results from the combustion process that heats your air. Normally, this gas is filtered out of your house via the flue, a pipe that extends from your furnace to the roof. If this gas can't escape properly, it may end up in your living area instead, which can create a serious health hazard.

Before you run your furnace, look for visual signs of a gas leak. This can take the form of yellow or brown stains around your furnace itself, or it can result in the flames from your furnace looking more yellow than blue. If you don't see anything, you may still detect signs of a leak in the form of air that smells stale or like something is burning. Although carbon monoxide is odorless, you may still smell something foul as carbon monoxide is the only gas your furnace emits.

Finally, you can use a carbon monoxide detector to see if the air coming into your house contains dangerous traces of the gas. If this is the case, request repairs immediately as exposure to this gas can be extremely dangerous.

Test Consistency of Heating

For the best heating possible, it's a good idea to make sure your heater can reliably heat your entire house. Inconsistent heating may require you to constantly adjust the thermostat, which can result in some rooms being colder than others and can drive up your heating bill.

While running your heater, check every room to see if warm air is coming steadily out of every vent. Check for noticeable cold spots, or note any rooms that seem noticeably cooler than others. This may sometimes point to an issue with your ducts, but if your air conditioner doesn't seem to have the same problem, this could point to something else entirely, and your furnace should be serviced before you start using it regularly.

Keep these tips in mind when looking for heating services near you.