“My furnace is acting funny” is a cry for help that we hear frequently at Experts In Your Home. And we interpret it easily because a “funny” furnace is no laughing matter.

After a long period of furnace inactivity, it takes time to adjust to the sound of the fan and even the gentle rumbling of warm air flowing through your ducts.

These are normal sounds and are usually no cause for concern. But some other “funny” events often signal an underlying problem with your heating system that warrants an inspection and possible repair. When you learn how to recognize some common furnace issues, you'll know exactly when to waste no time in calling Experts so that one of our licensed heating technicians can get to the bottom of the “funny business.”

Begin with the Basics

Make sure that you undertake three key steps first:

• Schedule your annual furnace tuneup with Experts In Your Home, if you haven't already. A technician will clean and oil the key components of your furnace – a vital task because the natural buildup of dirt and grime can undercut your furnace's efficiency and longevity. If you've ever wondered why some furnaces conk out after only 10 years while others hum along twice as long, regular maintenance is often the reason why.
• Get in the habit of checking your furnace filter every month and changing it when it is so clogged with dust and dirt that even a bright light can no longer shine through it. This lightweight device belies its powerhouse function: trapping dust, dirt and airborne particles that ensures steady air flow to your furnace and through every room in your home.
• Read a recent Experts article: “Troubleshooting the First Time Running your Heating System This Season.” Many of our customers have told us that they learned a great deal about the basic mechanical functions of their furnace, sparing them untold stress and worry and even a service call.

Signs to Act On

Remember that nothing compares to having a licensed technician inspect your furnace. From afar, here is our best, educated assessment as to what is ailing your heating system if you encounter:

• Banging, clanking, hissing and screeching noises, which are almost always a sign of a fundamental mechanical problem. Turn off your furnace and call Experts In Your Home immediately.
• A lack of heat coming from your furnace, which could be caused by any number of conditions. Since you've already covered the three basics – and all the troubleshooting steps – check your registers to make sure that they're not closed or obstructed. Then call us for a consultation.
• Frequent cycling to the point of annoyance, which is a sure sign of a clogged filter. You know exactly what to do in this case.
• A fan that runs and runs, also to the point of annoyance. This often indicates a problem with the limit switch, which controls the fan (and Experts In Your Home can replace). Then again, it could be something more basic: the thermostat setting. If the fan is set to “on,” “low,” “medium” or “high” it will respond in kind and run continuously. Set it to “auto” instead.
• Air flow problems, typified by uneven temperatures. This condition often leads our technicians to the ducts. Check yours for obvious holes and disconnects; we can inspect them for more subtle problems. But don't forget your thermostat. It sits quietly on the wall but is often the silent culprit behind many heating system issues. It might be time for a new Energy Star programmable thermostat.

If your furnace is acting out in any other “funny” ways, don't take chances. Turn it off and call the Experts for an immediate consultation. When it comes to the serious business of your furnace operating safely and reliably, the only laughter we think is worth hearing is the relieved kind that follows a quick, minor fix and the swift return of normality in your home.

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