If you live in Toronto, then you experience cold, chilly weather for a significant portion of the year. Although the temperature in this city is not as oppressively cold as in other parts of the country, the temperature is still cold enough to require a properly functioning furnace or heating system for the entire winter season.
Considering the importance of having adequate heating, then you should be sure to keep a close eye on your furnace or HVAC system. You should pay attention and learn to identify the common telltale signs that there might be a severe problem with your furnace or heating system. Read on below to learn more about these signs:
1. Problematic Start-Up and Switch-Off
It’s quite normal for you to notice a delay when you start your furnace for the first time since last winter. This is especially true if your unit is already old. While it can be quite infuriating if you can’t turn your system on, it’s a minor problem and something that you may be able to correct yourself. Often, it can easily be solved by checking your thermostat setting.
However, if you have trouble starting the unit every time or notice that it suddenly turns off on its own without completing the full heating cycle, or it just simply won’t turn on, then you should be wary. This could already a sign of severe problems with your fan motor, damaged wires, or clogged vents. If that’s the case, you must call in a professional to help you.
2. Poor Heating Capability
The perfect temperature depends on personal preferences. So, it might be expected for your family members to adjust the thermostat to achieve that comfortable heating level occasionally. But if you’re constantly tweaking the thermostat because some areas in your house are colder than others, then it might be a sign that your thermostat has problems. Worse, it can also mean that your furnace can no longer provide efficient heating for your home.
If this is the case, you need to have your unit checked as soon as possible so that you don’t end up having to replace your whole heating system in the middle of winter.
3. Funny Odor
When you turn on the heating for the first time since last winter, you’ll probably notice a faint whiff of something funky. It’s normal and should not be a cause for alarm—the smell is probably the scent of burning dust that settled on your furnace and in your ventilation during the intervening months. Usually, the odor eventually goes away as the furnace runs. But it’s another matter entirely if the smell coming from your HVAC is strong and doesn’t dissipate. You may even notice a faint burning odor.
An odd smell from your furnace can mean there’s a problem with your unit. It’s prudent to err on the side of caution and have your furnace checked for your peace of mind and safety. The smell may be a sign that your furnace desperately needs cleaning, but it can also mean something much more serious like a gas leak.
4. Incessant Noises
Aside from the odor, you should also check out for unusual noises coming from your HVAC. The operative word here is ‘unusual’ because furnaces are hardly silent when running. If your furnace or HVAC are making noises that are different than the ones you are accustomed to, you may need to have your unit checked by a professional before your problems become worse enough to require a costly overhaul.
Here are some of the sounds that should be a cause for alarm:
- Persistent whistling and squealing sounds could be a sign of fan belt problems.
- Rattling sounds could mean the unit has loose or broken internal parts.
- Low rumbling sound signifies that your HVAC has problems with the burner and needs some maintenance.
- Scraping noises are usually due to a damaged motor mount or blower wheel.
- Loud booming or banging can indicate a buildup of gas in your HVAC. If left unchecked, your unit’s heat exchanger might get damaged.
If you start to hear suspicious noises, shut off your unit and call for a repair technician.
5. Moisture Buildup
During cold months, you might see moisture building up on your windows, walls, or even ceiling. Usually, this is just a sign of low airflow in your home. Proper sealing and insulating of your interiors could quickly solve moisture buildup. Sometimes, however, condensation or damp air could be due to damaged vents or a problematic furnace. If these problems persist after checking your insulation, that may be a sign that you should check your furnace.
6. Leaking Furnace
Many homeowners don’t pay attention to water leaking from their HVAC systems, knowing that water is a byproduct of running air conditioners or gas furnaces. So, when you see minor leaks, don’t panic. Just try to check where the water is emanating from. Often, it is only a sign of a clogged vent. But if you see a puddle slowly building up around your furnace, it’s a sign of a bigger problem, and you need to call your trusty furnace repair company of choice.
7. Other Signs
One of the things that you should be aware of as a homeowner is that heating systems emit or release minute amounts of carbon monoxide. This gas is usually vented outside to prevent buildup inside your home. However, if the vent is clogged by dirt or there’s a leak in your system, some areas in your house will not have efficient airflow and carbon monoxide could build up in your home—it’s a serious problem.
You should have a carbon monoxide detector inside your home, and many new HVAC systems have built-in detectors. All you need to do is to check the sensors regularly to see if it’s tripped. If you still don’t have a detector, you need to be very vigilant about the subtle signs of carbon monoxide buildup in your home.
Carbon monoxide is both odorless and colorless, so it is tough to detect. One big red flag that you have lethal carbon monoxide levels is when you experience symptoms like dizziness, fainting, or even hallucinations. When it happens, you need to have your heating appliance checked and stay at a friend’s or a hotel while they do.
Here are more signs that you have leaking carbon monoxide:
- Yellowish or brown stains around the unit
- Faint smell similar to toxic gas
- Pilot light frequently blows out
Conclusion
Proper use, regular maintenance, and checkups are essential to ensure that your heating appliance is in tiptop condition during winter. But even if you provide your unit with all the TLC you can give, you can still experience furnace problems. Remember, any machine or appliance is vulnerable to normal wear and tear—sooner or later, your furnace will deteriorate and will have problems.
To prevent aggravating issues, it pays to learn more about the signs you need to look out for in a problematic furnace. If you catch these issues early, you can have your unit repaired. If you decide to leave it unfixed and the troubles worsen, you may have to invest in a new furnace.
