Your furnace is one of the most important devices in your home, and you want to be sure that it is running smoothly and efficiently at all times. An old or damaged furnace could result in expensive repairs or huge energy bills once the weather starts to cool off. Here is a quick glance at four common heating issues and some steps that you can take to address them.
The Furnace Won’t Turn Off
Even during the coldest months of the year, your furnace should occasionally turn off. If the inside of your home won’t stay warm, then you might be dealing with insulation issues. Adding extra insulation to your walls and ceilings could reduce your energy bills by hundreds of dollars a year. Those who want to save even more money on their energy bills should consider upgrading to blow-in insulation.
Cold Air Coming from the Vents
One of the most common issues with furnaces that countless families have to deal with every single year is cold air coming from the vents. It is perfectly natural for cold air to come out of your vents when you first turn the furnace on, but it should heat up after a few seconds. The furnace might be severely damaged if the air never warms up, and you need to have the entire system inspected right away.
No Air Coming from the Vents
This is another serious issue that needs to be taken care of by a professor HVAC contractor as quickly as possible. If the vents are completely open and the system isn’t blowing any air, then you could have a broken thermostat or blower. An HVAC technician will be able to thoroughly test both of those components to see if they are damaged. They can also inspect the ducts to make sure that there are no blockages.
Unusual Smells
Unusual smells coming from the vents can be caused by a wide variety of issues including debris in the ducts, spills near the blower, a gas leak, or bacteria on the coils. The first thing that you need to do when you notice any unusual odors is to turn the system off and inspect the area around the blower for any debris that might be giving off those smells. You can also peek inside the vents to see if any animals have become trapped. A musty smell is usually caused by a little bit of dust on the coils, and that type of odor should disappear after a few hours.
The most effective way to avoid all of these issues is to have your furnace serviced by an experienced contractor at least once a year. An HVAC contractor will help you catch minor heating and cooling problems before they become expensive catastrophes.
When tenants come to you complaining about heating issues during the winter, let Strawberry Property Management take care of it. Contact us today!