An unexpected furnace breakdown can cause many issues for any homeowner. However, a majority of homeowners are not aware that they could have prevented these untimely repairs by paying attention to some symptoms the furnace was having.

Every gas, electric and oil furnace is going to be different, but for the most part, they give the same warning signs when there is trouble ahead. If you can identify these symptoms before they turn into full-blown emergency repair situations, you could potentially save yourself a great deal in repair costs.

• Soot – If you notice a lot of soot around the furnace area or coming from the vent system, you will need to have the system inspected by a professional. Also, poor air quality could indicate an issue.
• Uneven Heating – Another symptom of furnace trouble is uneven heating in the home. If you have cold spots throughout the house, call for help.
• No Heat – This is probably a fairly obvious one, but if there is no heat coming from the unit, you need to have it inspected immediately. Generally, a furnace that is having a safety issue will shut itself down. Unless your circuit breaker was tripped, do not try to turn the unit back on.
• Pilot Light Issues – Another cause for concern is if the pilot light is yellow or green. You want to make sure your pilot light is blue. If not, this is an emergency situation and should be addressed as quickly as possible.
• Thermostat Problems – If the thermostat is not responding, or not turning on, it could be that the batteries are dead or it could mean there is a mechanical issue.

While these are the most common symptoms, you can also check for increased energy bills and visual damage to the unit itself. More often than not, homeowners will see a large spike in their energy costs, which is never a good thing either.

Besides leaving you cold on a winter’s night, a damaged furnace can have other side effects that can cause havoc in your home. For example, an excess amount of soot and clogged air filters can cause your air quality to diminish. This can cause exacerbated breathing issues such as asthma and allergies.

Soot and dust can also be hard to clean and leave your walls, drapes, and furniture in need of expensive cleaning. Water damage can also cause expensive cleaning costs.

Another impact to your home is an increase in energy bills and high repair costs. The harder your furnace has to work to heat your home, the more energy it is going to use. Plus, the longer your furnace struggles, the more damage is done.
Finally, a damaged furnace can be a serious safety issue. Not only can a damaged furnace cause a house fire, but it can potentially explode and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. It is crucial that you have your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors checked regularly.

Want to be prepared for winter? Join our maintenance plan to enjoy expert annual furnace tune-ups and plenty of VIP benefits!

As mentioned above, annual maintenance can reduce the risk of serious safety problems taking place. There are many other benefits to routine maintenance as well, such as:

• Reduced energy costs
• More comfortable temperatures
• Fewer repairs
• Less likely to have an emergency repair situation
• Better air quality

Having a professional repair and maintenance of your furnace is the best way to have peace of mind that your system is going to keep you warm all winter. At Sunset Heating & Cooling, we are your reliable gas, oil, and electric furnace contractors.

Working in the community since 1922, we’ve seen a wide range of issues and solved them all. When you call us with a problem in your heating system, you can expect timely service from friendly staff.