Winter is just around the corner, and it's time to start thinking about your furnace. As the temperatures drop, you'll want to ensure your furnace is in tip-top shape to keep your home warm and comfortable. But how do you know if your furnace needs repairs?

In this post, we'll discuss the top signs your furnace needs repair so you can identify issues early and avoid a breakdown during the coldest months of the year.

Understanding the Signs of Furnace Trouble

Knowing the workings of your furnace is crucial for homeowners, especially during the winter months. When you understand how your heating system operates, you can spot signs of trouble earlier and take preventative measures. This knowledge can save you from unnecessary discomfort during the cold season, potential safety risks, and expensive repairs or replacements down the line.

In particular, you should be on the lookout for common symptoms of a struggling furnace, such as:

• Unexpected Increase in Heating Bills: If your heating bills are climbing despite regular usage patterns, this may indicate that your furnace is not operating at its peak efficiency.
• Uneven Heating of Rooms: When some rooms in your house are colder than others, it might be a sign that your furnace is struggling to distribute heat evenly.
• Constant Cycling: If your furnace is constantly turning on and off, this could be a symptom of an overworked system or electrical issues.
• Strange Noises: Unusual sounds – such as clanking, humming, or buzzing – coming from your furnace often signal mechanical problems.
• Bad Air Quality: If you notice an increase in dust, allergens, or dry air in your home, it could be a sign that your furnace is not properly cleaning and humidifying the air.

By learning to identify these signs, you can ensure that any issues with your furnace are dealt with promptly, maintaining a comfortable and safe environment in your home.

Do You Need Furnace Repairs, or Is It Your Thermostat?

Identifying whether your heating system issue lies with your furnace or your thermostat can be challenging. However, a few signs can indicate that the problem might be with your thermostat and not the furnace itself.

Firstly, your thermostat might be to blame if your furnace doesn't turn on or off when it should. Similarly, if you notice a discrepancy between the temperature setting on your thermostat and the actual temperature of your home, that might indicate a thermostat issue. Another red flag is if your thermostat doesn't respond when you try to adjust settings or if it's unresponsive to changes in room temperature.

Implementing a few of the following tips and tricks can help you make the most of your thermostat and prevent potential issues:

• Clean your thermostat regularly to avoid dust buildup, which can interfere with its performance.
• Check the batteries to ensure they are not dead.
• Ensure your thermostat is placed away from heat sources like direct sunlight or appliances that give off heat to prevent false readings.
• Try resetting it according to the manufacturer's instructions before assuming it's broken.
• Upgrade to a programmable or smart thermostat with more customization and intuitive scheduling.

Understanding the workings of both your furnace and thermostat can help you troubleshoot issues and determine whether you need to call a professional for furnace repairs or if a simple thermostat fix will do the trick.

Planning for a Furnace Replacement

Understanding when to replace your furnace is as critical as knowing when it needs repair. If you are experiencing persistent issues despite regular maintenance, or if your furnace is more than 15 years old, it may be time to start planning for a replacement.

At Bolls Heating & Cooling, we know how stressful facing a surprise heating replacement can be. This is part of why we encourage our customers to schedule annual furnace inspections. During these inspections, we can provide an update on your furnace's condition and expected lifespan, helping you proactively plan for replacement costs.

Have questions about your furnace? Give the team at Bolls Heating & Cooling a shout. You can reach us online or dial us at (317) 830-3010.