Ideally, homeowners should schedule seasonal furnace maintenance in the spring before the cold weather arrives. Even with a routine tune-up, monitor your furnace for the earliest signs of a problem. Scheduling service proactively in midwinter can save you money and headaches. Let’s explore the warning signs you should watch for this winter.
A Spike in Energy Consumption
Even a minor fault can cause a furnace to consume more fuel or electricity than it should. That spike can dramatically increase heating costs and your carbon footprint. For this reason, the industry recommends tracking energy usage from month to month and year to year. The old-fashioned way is to track your bill at the end of each month.
Many local utilities now offer high-usage notifications that you can opt into. You can also invest in devices that monitor your usage locally and provide alerts. Those include:
- Smart meters
- Smart electrical panels
- Programmable and smart thermostats
Lower Humidity Than Normal
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends maintaining a relative humidity of at least 30% in winter. While that level or higher is usually not hard to reach in California, a furnace adds another dynamic. Because air is naturally drier during the winter, a furnace draws in cold air from the outside and heats it quickly.
That warmed air can now absorb much more moisture from the surrounding environment. Drier air than normal can indicate problems with the intake or a sealed combustion chamber. If you have a furnace humidifier or whole-home humidifier, that component may not be functioning correctly.
Irregular Cycling
Cycles vary depending on the home and furnace model. Still, a typical cycle lasts between 10 and 15 minutes and occurs twice or perhaps three times an hour. A common problem is short cycling, in which a furnace turns on and off more than three times an hour.
The cause can be simple, such as a clogged filter, or serious, like the furnace overheating. In either case, allowing short cycling to continue can damage the furnace and even shorten its lifespan. Long cycling, where a furnace runs for periods longer than 15 minutes, is less common but a potential problem as well.
This can be due to a thermostat set to an unrealistic temperature or a malfunctioning thermostat. In some cases, it’s a ductwork issue, or it could be an issue with the furnace itself, such as a faulty thermal sensor.
Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping
Most modern furnaces, including fuel-burning systems, require some electricity. If you have a furnace that won’t turn back on, a circuit breaker is a common culprit. If you experience a tripped breaker, you can reset it once. An isolated trip usually isn’t cause for concern.
If you experience multiple tripped breakers, don’t continue to reset them. That indicates a more serious electrical problem. Continued resets can damage your furnace or electrical system.
Pilot Light Problems
Furnace manufacturers are switching from pilot lights to electronic ignition systems. Purchasing a new furnace with a pilot light can be difficult due to scarcity. That said, most homes with a fuel-burning furnace still have a model with a pilot light.
You should check your pilot light regularly. Keep the area free of combustible materials and ensure the pilot light burns mostly blue. A flickering pilot light suggests a problem. A pilot light that primarily burns another color does as well.
It could be an incorrect fuel-air mixture or a foreign substance in the combustion chamber. It’s normal for a pilot light to go out occasionally. If you can relight it easily, it’s usually no cause for concern. If your pilot light goes out often or is difficult to relight, it’s time for a tune-up.
Excessive Dust Accumulation
Check your furnace filter at least once a month and replace it as needed. Replacing a filter every 30 to 90 days during a heating season is not unusual. It is unusual for a filter to clog sooner than four weeks, which may indicate a furnace problem.
Homeowners may also notice excessive dust accumulation elsewhere in the home. You may see it coming out of your vents or building up around baseboards and furniture faster than normal. This may mean you haven’t cleaned your furnace in a while, and it requires attention.
Combustion issues are a potential cause. You may also need your ducts cleaned or air leakage corrected.
Inconsistent Temperatures
A common problem is that homes feel less comfortable based on the time of day or certain weather conditions. You should be able to enjoy a consistent temperature. Many households have one set temperature for the day and another for the night.
If you can’t do that, you likely need a tune-up. The thermostat may need cleaning or calibration, or the air handler may need rebalancing and lubrication. The problem could also be combustion-related.
Weak Airflow or Uneven Heating
Weak airflow is also a common problem. You can feel the weaker flow by touching the vent. Airflow issues can manifest as cold spots, warm spots, and sharp temperature differences between floors.
Airflow issues can be related to the blower or combustion system. Often, they are caused by problems in the ducts. For example, a clogged filter, closed vents, or an obstruction can cause substantial air leakage in the ducts.
Loud or Unusual Noises
Never ignore loud or unusual noises coming from your furnace. Some rumbling when the system cycles on, especially with older units, is normal. If rumbling in your ducts is loud or persistent, it could suggest loose mounting hardware.
Grinding sounds can indicate blower problems that can get much worse. Whistling can indicate an issue with the airflow return. Other sounds to watch for include squealing, buzzing, rattling, banging, and clicking.
Odd or Unpleasant Odors
Never ignore strange odors. If you notice a rotten egg smell or have a CO alarm, stop using the system and contact an HVAC professional right away. A fleeting burning smell on startup may just be dust.
Persistent odors are more serious. Mustiness can indicate a moisture problem in the ducts. Burning can indicate a problem with the furnace’s electrical system. A smell similar to a car’s exhaust likely means there’s a problem with the furnace venting.
Schedule Midwinter Furnace Maintenance in Greater Sacramento
Huft Home Services has served Sacramento and the surrounding areas of California for over 20 years. We have locations in Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Yuba City. Our EPA- and NATE-certified HVAC technicians perform tune-ups, as well as repairs, replacements, and new installations. That includes furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, and ductless mini-splits.
Our indoor air quality team installs and services humidifiers, dehumidifiers, UV lights, air purifiers, and whole-house fans. We insulate and seal homes for better comfort and energy efficiency. Our licensed plumbers pipe and repipe gas, water, and wastewater lines, clean drains, and perform sewer services. We install and service tank and tankless water heaters, sump pumps, and water filtration systems.
Our licensed electricians specialize in wiring, electric panels, surge protection, EV charging, indoor and outdoor lighting, and more. Contact us today to learn more about the many services and products we offer.
