8 Reasons to Call a Gas Furnace Repair Tech

• There’s Less Heat In Your Home
• Heat Isn’t Being Distributed Evenly
• The Burner Flame Changes Color
• Your Furnace Is Noisy
• Occupants of Your House Are Sick
• The Heater Runs Continuously
• The System Cycles On and Off Too Frequently
• Your Energy Bills Are High

When you need a gas furnace repair, your comfort and safety are at risk, so don’t wait to call a qualified repair tech. Combustion problems can release carbon monoxide. A faulty gas valve or connection can lead to a fire or explosion. Even a small issue can seriously damage a gas furnace, so hire a pro to repair a minor problem before it escalates. These are eight reasons to call a gas furnace repair tech before the situation becomes hazardous or requires costly service or a replacement.

1. There’s Less Heat In Your Home

A gas furnace is an efficient residential heating solution. If it produces less heat, something isn’t working right. The system may work harder and consume more fuel to compensate. Therefore, call for help whenever your furnace isn’t performing as expected. This includes if your home is too cool or the temperature indoors doesn’t match the thermostat setting, despite the furnace running normally or more frequently.

2. Heat Isn’t Being Distributed Evenly

Uneven heating is another reason to call a gas furnace repair professional. If the temperature in one room is much warmer or cooler than in another, decreased performance may be preventing your furnace from distributing air properly. A faulty fan or ductwork blockage or leak can affect heat distribution. It’s also possible your furnace isn’t producing enough heat to warm your entire home. Hire a technician to troubleshoot the issue and determine the best way to resolve it.

3. The Burner Flame Changes Color

The burner flame is an indication of your furnace’s health. A sufficient gas supply keeps the flame going. It should always be blue. If the flame appears yellow or orange, flickers erratically, or goes out, there may be a serious problem such as a faulty thermocouple or cracked pilot tube. Reduced fuel flow is also a major concern. 

Since the burner initiates the heating process, your furnace won’t supply heat if it isn’t working. Dangerous carbon monoxide may also build up if the gas doesn’t burn properly.

If the burner flame isn’t blue or steady, check if the gas valve is fully open. If not, move it to the open position. But if the valve is open and the flame doesn’t look right, call for help immediately.

4. Your Furnace Is Noisy

When near your furnace, you’ll probably hear some whirring and humming. But don’t ignore noises that weren’t there before. Vibration sounds can mean failing parts are scraping together, a motor component is imbalanced, or an air duct has come loose. A high-pitched squeal can come from a faulty bearing, belt, or fuel line. Strange noises can also mean there’s a problem with an electrical component. Loud, unusual sounds are not only annoying but can signal danger, so don’t wait to call a gas furnace repair tech. 

5. Occupants of Your House Are Sick

If unexplained illnesses are occurring in your family, natural gas vapors or carbon monoxide (CO) may be escaping. While natural gas has an additive that enables detection via a telltale sulfur smell, CO has no odor. A cracked heat exchanger or other problem can cause it to leak. Unless your CO detector goes off, you won’t know the gas is present, but the following symptoms can alert you of a problem:

• Frequent headaches
• Burning nose or eyes
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Disorientation
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Flu-like symptoms
• Loss of consciousness

6. The Heater Runs Continuously

You hear your furnace running, so it may not seem there’s a cause for concern. But it should not run constantly; this is not how a furnace works. Instead, a furnace should cycle on and off every 20 to 30 minutes. If it doesn’t shut off, the limit switch may be faulty. A furnace that runs nonstop will use too much energy and overwork itself. The excess strain can lead to needing expensive repairs. 

7. The System Cycles On and Off Too Frequently

Frequent cycling can also waste energy and strain vital components. Aside from higher energy bills, you may have costly repairs to pay for by ignoring the problem. Correcting a short-cycling furnace can be as simple as replacing a clogged filter or resetting the thermostat. If not, call a professional to evaluate the unit and determine if gas furnace repair is necessary.

8. Your Energy Bills Are High

Some people brush off a high energy bill as just another price hike. However, utility companies don’t impose dramatic rate hikes, especially without notice. If your monthly energy bill is much higher than the same time last year, and it doesn’t seem like a normal seasonal variation in pricing, call a tech. This is a sign your furnace is working hard to compensate for a dirty filter, failing ignition electrode, leaking duct, or another hidden problem that’ll cause more damage if not promptly fixed.

How Can I Troubleshoot My Gas Furnace?

If your home isn’t warm enough, check if the thermostat is on. Your furnace won’t run if the control is switched off or the batteries are dead. Turn the thermostat on or change the batteries before calling a technician. 

You can also try the following troubleshooting steps:

• Check that the thermostat is set to “Heat”.
• Make sure all the vents in your home are open.
• Clean or replace the air filter.
• Check that the furnace switch and breaker are on.
• Ensure the gas valve and safety valve are working.

What Should I Do If I Smell Gas?

Gas furnaces should not produce gas odors. Leave your home immediately, call 911, and contact your local gas furnace repair company. The authorities or your gas company may shut off the gas to your home. Then the HVAC company can find the source of the problem and perform repairs to restore your safety and heating.

Can I Reduce the Risk of Needing Gas Furnace Repair?

If your furnace shows signs of trouble, you must call a repair contractor. However, regular maintenance can reduce the risk it will need major repairs. It includes scheduling annual service and completing simple tasks like changing the filter, keeping the area near the unit clean, and opening vents to maintain airflow.

Call Kliemann Brothers for Gas Furnace Repair or Maintenance

Whether your gas furnace isn’t providing enough heat or it stops running, our NATE-certified repair technicians can diagnose and fix the problem. They’re trained to address any issue and work quickly to get your furnace running smoothly again. Common furnace parts are stocked on their trucks, so most repairs are completed immediately. If you have a heating emergency, you can reach us 24/7. To request an urgent gas furnace repair or schedule annual furnace maintenance, call (253) 201-8498 today.