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Common Furnace Problems and What to Do About Them

Winter will be here sooner than you realize. This means it’s time to make sure that your furnace is up and running properly. The last thing you need for you and your family is to have your heater stop working in the middle of February. Here’s a few of the most common furnace issues and what to do about them. And remember – if you have any issues with your furnace, and want to speak with an HVAC professional, contact Shenandoah at 304-930-5417.

Dirty Filters: Perhaps the most common furnace issue. A clogged or dirty filter can result in your furnace needing to work harder. Make sure you change your furnace regularly.

Normal Wear and Tear: As your furnace ages, it will become less efficient and need to work harder to heat your home. In these cases, we recommend speaking to an HVAC pro and get their advice.

Faulty Thermostat: Sometimes it isn’t your furnace at all, but instead your thermostat that is malfunctioning. Perhaps your thermostat is not signaling correctly to your furnace.  We recommend checking out your thermostat and reviewing your owner’s manual

Noisy Furnace: You may be hearing rambling, rattling, and squeaking coming from your furnace. This unfortunately could indicate that your furnace has a mechanical issue. We recommend speaking with an HVAC specialist.

Things You Should Consider When Buying a Furnace

It may still be summer, but fall and winter are closer than you think. And the last thing you want is to be stuck in the cold without a properly-operating heating system. So if you find yourself in need of a furnace, there are certain heating options available to you that you should consider before you buy.

There are a number of different factors that can affect the performance of your heater. Plus, there are other factors, such as your home and your budget, that you should also consider before  buying. So let’s get started:

Furnace Efficiency:

You should try to buy the most efficient furnace you can afford. Minimum-efficiency furnaces reach 80% AFUE.  But high-end furnaces are able to reach 97% efficiency (obviously this model is much more expensive).  A high efficiency furnace can result in a lower monthly utility bill for you, but again, only buy the furnace you can afford.

Fuel Source:

You can either choose a gas, electric, or oil heating furnace. Each type of fuel source has its advantages and disadvantages. For instance, oil or propane furnaces require more storage. An electric furnace on the other hand can lead to a much higher electricity bill each month. Ultimately, the choice of what type of furnace will depend on your home.

Indoor Air Quality:

When was the last time you cleaned your air ducts? If you don’t know the answer, your indoor air quality may be significantly lower than you realize. When you have your new furnace installed, you should ask the technician to take a look at your ducts and see how clean they are. Additionally, your furnace filter should be changed twice a year.

Furnace Installation:

The quality of the installation can greatly affect the performance of your furnace.  If the furnace is installed improperly, it can cause performance issues in the long run. When you find an HVAC technician, make sure to do your research and vet the technician and the company thoroughly.

For more information, learn about our HVAC Services in the Martinsburg, West Virginia and the surrounding area.

This post originally appeared on Angie’s List.