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W.C. Butler Heating and Air Conditioning Blog

Heed These Signs You Need Furnace Repairs

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No homeowner wants to discover that they are paying a lot of money to heat up their home, however not getting the comfort they expect to stay comfortable.

Maybe your heating system is running intermittently, or maybe the system never seems to stop running. These are just a couple of the potential warning signs that your furnace needs repair.

It’s important to be aware of these signs that something could be amiss. Heaters are pretty important in our area, and the sooner you address repair needs, the better off you’ll be for the coming months.

Read on as we uncover some of the top signs that you might need professional furnace repairs.

Your Energy Bills Seem to Be Increasing without Reason

Take a look at your energy bills compared to last year. Are they significantly higher? If they are, it’s a sign that something in your home is working inefficiently, and it could very well be your furnace to blame.

After all, HVAC systems account for about half of all your home’s energy use! So when they start malfunctioning, you can bet you’re going to notice it on your utility bills.

Your Heater is Cycling Irregularly

Let’s say you turn on your heater, only to notice that it turns back off in a few minutes, restarting the heating process again shortly after. Or, maybe your furnace turns on and just keeps running, even when you think it should have shut off.

The first issue we mentioned here is called short-cycling, and it’s not only the symptom of a problem but it causes further issues for your furnace too. And if the furnace isn’t cycling off? It could signal a thermostat problem, or alternatively, it can be an electrical issue. Whatever the case, it’s time to get your system checked out.

Airflow is Weak

How strong is the air coming out of your furnace vents? If you can feel it in some rooms, but it seems to be really weak in others, it can mean there’s a problem.

It may be that your air filter is too clogged up with dirt and debris. The air filter should be changed out every 1-3 months depending on the type of filter and the level of contaminants in your home. When it gets too clogged up, it can cause airflow to be restricted.

But the problem could also be with the ductwork or the system itself. So if you’ve swapped out the air filter and the problem persists, give us a call!

The System Is Smelly

When you turn on your furnace, do you notice a smell coming from the vents? If you smell burning, this is relatively “natural,” only if this is the first time you turned on the furnace this season and it’s burning off dust that has settled on the vents.

Otherwise, burning smells can be a sign of a problem with electrical components, which can be a hazardous problem that you’ll want to have fixed right away.

For expert service on your furnace in Salem, VA, contact W.C. Butler Heating and Air Conditioning today!

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