7 Signs That Your Furnace Needs Repair

Your furnace likely kicks on less frequently than it did during the height of winter in Texas. With daylight hours feeling like spring and overnight lows well above freezing here in the greater Austin area, we are slowly saying goodbye to our furnaces.

Before you switch your thermostat from heat to cool, consider how well your furnace has been working in these last days of the heating season. Do you suspect it needs repair? Does something seem off when it fires up to heat your Round Rock home?

While your furnace finishes its winter heating duties, consider making needed repairs. Ignoring furnace problems will not make them disappear over the summer. You will face them in the fall when you put your heating system back into service.

Timely Furnace Repairs

At AiRCO Mechanical, our expert technicians can diagnose and repair your furnace now as cold weather is winding down or fix your furnace issues this fall when you schedule annual preventative maintenance.

Keep in mind that some problems need timely repairs to prevent them from becoming major issues that can damage your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system or put your safety at risk.

Heating and cooling equipment share some parts that, if malfunctioning, could comprise the entire system. If your blower motor and fan, for example, are not working with your furnace, they will not work for your air conditioner either. Consider making necessary repairs now while you are still using your furnace.

Signs Your Furnace Needs Attention

Use your senses when assessing your furnace and its performance. Look at it. Listen to it. Notice any unusual odors. Here are some of the repair-worthy problems you may encounter:

1. Odd furnace noises can indicate an assortment of problems. Squeals could mean the fan belt may need adjustment or the blower motor’s bearings have worn out. Thumping signals a blower component is out of balance or broken. Dirty burners may cause loud bangs or pops, and a malfunctioning capacitor or fan could result in humming noises. Rumbling indicates a problem with combustion and burners.

2. Short cycling happens when your furnace kicks on, runs, and shuts off without finishing the heating cycle. Dirty burners or a defective ignitor are potential causes. In both cases, the burners do not light. The flame sensor detects that the burners are not lit and shuts the process down, causing a short cycle.

3. If your furnace overheats, its limit switch will shut the burners and blower down. A defective blower fan or dirty air filter can cause the equipment to overheat.

4. Blockage in the drain line or a broken condensate pump could cause water to flow back into the furnace and trip a safety switch that shuts the system down.

5. Something as simple as a dirty air filter or the wrong fan setting could cause your furnace to blow cool air. In an electric furnace, a malfunctioning heating element could be the culprit.

6. Water pooling near your furnace typically indicates a problem with the heat exchanger.

7. Your gas furnace burner flames should be blue. Other colors indicate a problem.

Consider a Maintenance Plan

Maintaining your furnace is the best way to avoid repairs.  Let one of our expert technicians at AiRCO Mechanical tune up your furnace in the fall before the next heating season begins. You will gain peace of mind when our 40-point inspection and performance test prepare your furnace to operate efficiently and safely over the winter.

When you sign up for one of our maintenance plans, you also will receive additional benefits such as priority service, one free service call, and discounts on repairs.

Make Furnace Repairs a Priority Today

Our professionals at AiRCO Mechanical maintain, repair, and install furnaces and other HVAC systems that make you comfortable and save energy. We also offer plumbing and electrical solutions for our customers in Round Rock, TX. Call us at (512) 537-1234 or request service online.