Signs that You Need Furnace Maintenance

We deal with broken furnaces almost every day. Most of the time homeowners have no idea about the health of their system until it requires a full-on replacement. However, many furnace problems can be fixed if you catch them ahead of time! Here are the main signs you should look for to see if your furnace is not functioning as well as it could.

#1: Strange Smells

When a furnace has just been installed, it’s not uncommon for there to be a slight smell for a few days, but after that, your furnace should be pretty much odor-free. Be especially mindful of sulfuric smells like rotten eggs. This is indicative of a gas leak. While natural gas is normally odorless, your gas company adds a foul-smelling compound called mercaptan so that a leak is easier to detect. Make sure you clear the area if you do smell this as it can be extremely dangerous.

#2: Soot Buildup

Your furnace shouldn’t show any signs of dark soot buildup. Be especially mindful of the connections with ducts as this is where soot can appear. This can be a sign of a carbon monoxide leak, which poisons thousands of Americans every year.

Since CO is a chemical byproduct of the flames in your furnace, it does not have the added mercaptan compound. This is why CO is completely odorless and extremely dangerous.

#3: Pilot Light Issues

The pilot light is the small flame that ignites all of the other burners inside your furnace. If it’s not working, your furnace will be stopped in its tracks. If your furnace is randomly shutting off, it’s likely a pilot light issue.

When you check on your furnace, note the color of the pilot light. It should be a consistent blue hue. If it’s flickering or turning orange, your unit might be clogged up with dust and not able to properly ventilate.

Having issues with your furnace? Call Meyer’s Companies at (219) 924-1999 or fill out an online contact form!