Signs That You Need Furnace Repairs
Mention North Carolina to most people at all familiar with our country’s geography, and they’ll probably immediately think of hot, sticky weather. While that may be our reality for much of the year, what many people seem to forget is that the most intense heat of summer does not, in fact, last indefinitely. Truth be told, we have more than our share of uncomfortably chilly weather around here, especially on winter nights. Just because we don’t get hit by blizzards doesn’t mean that winter doesn’t come to visit.
That is precisely why it is so important that you keep your heater functioning at peak performance levels. The furnace is such a popular heater thanks to the fact that it functions very effectively and is, overall, quite reliable. The moment that you see any heater advertised as 100% reliable, though, is the moment that you should recognize an impossible claim. At some point, you’ll need furnace repairs. When you do, call in the Apex, NC HVAC pros on our staff.
Is An Arctic Blast Hitting Your Home?
Okay, that’s a bit dramatic. Even if your furnace wasn’t generating heat at all, you probably still wouldn’t notice icy air coming from the vents. Even so, if chilly or just lukewarm air is being distributed throughout the house, you should contact us right away. This is the most obvious sign that there is something wrong with your furnace, perhaps with the exception of a system that won’t start up at all.
There are many potential causes of cool air blowing from your furnace. It could be a problem with the heating element or burner. It could also be an issue with improper temperature readings. Before you decide that you need repairs, though, rule out a few potential simple fixes. Double check the thermostat to ensure that the system is not set to the “fan on” setting, and that temperatures are indeed set properly.
Do Your Utility Costs Make It Seem Like You’re Fighting an Arctic Front?
One good aspect of winters here in North Carolina is the fact that their relative mildness means that we don’t have to break the bank when paying the costs associated with our heating systems. That is exactly why you should keep an eye on the utility bills when you start running that heater, though. If you notice a big spike in energy costs, or a steady increase despite the fact that you’re not really using your furnace any more than usual, then you may need repairs.
The tricky part of all of this is the fact that pretty much any problem with your heater, from a heat pump leaking refrigerant to a furnace with a dirty air filter, can result in increased energy costs. You need more than a technician capable of fixing problems. You need a technician that can diagnose your problem accurately before resolving it entirely.
Is Your Heater Shutting Down Before the Job Is Done?
If so, it is short cycling, and that’s a big problem. A heater that is starting up, running only briefly, and then shutting back down before repeating the process in short order is going to negatively affect you in a number of ways. First of all, it costs more to continuously start a heater up, which means higher energy bills.
Worse yet, it means higher energy bills for a weaker heating performance. If your furnace is not running in full heating cycles, it is not functioning as well as possible. The excessive wear and tear put on the system can also result in an increased risk of operational problems, higher repair costs, and even a shortened lifespan.
Leave your furnace services to Raleigh Heating & Air.