Your furnace needs to be working throughout the winter so that you can stay warm. There will occasionally be a sign that you could need furnace work. Read on to learn more.
1. Weird Noises
Your furnace makes noises when it runs. Most of the time, these will be normal humming or whirring sounds. There are, however, several sounds that could mean trouble for both your furnace and your whole HVAC system.
Heavy Thumping
When your furnace thumps, it could mean that your blower motor is either out of alignment or has a piece broken off within it. In either case, you’ll need the help of a professional HVAC technician for repairs. If you hear this kind of heavy thumping coming from your furnace, be sure to turn the furnace off right away and call for help.
Loud Shrieking
Not all furnaces have belts in their blower motors, but if yours does, then a loud shrieking noise can mean that the belt needs replacing. Once again, this is not a DIY project, and you will need the skills of a pro to accomplish the project safely and quickly.
2. Water on the Floor
Furnaces create water from condensation as part of their normal operation. There will be a hose, pipe, or both for shunting water out of the furnace to someplace else. A lot of the time, these drainage conduits lead outside, but it is also possible for them to lead to a drain or sink inside your home.
One reason that you could see water on the floor is that one or more of these drains have developed a clog. When that happens, the water backs up through the pipe and can leak. Many furnaces have drain pans instead, and if the drain pan cracks or likewise develops a clog, then it can leak water too. Finally, if your furnace has a condensate pump, then it could leak from that device if it is faulty.
3. Bad Odors
If you smell formaldehyde, then it is not good news. That generally indicates a cracked heat exchanger, which cannot be repaired and will need replacement. This will necessitate calling in a pro to do the work.
Another unpleasant smell would be old socks. Normally, this means that there is biological growth somewhere inside your system. It could be in the body of the furnace itself or inside the ducts. If the growths are inside the ducts, never try to clean them out yourself. You could cause extensive damage and/or hurt yourself.
The worst smell would be rotten eggs. That smell means that you have a gas leak, which is an emergency situation. Shut your furnace off immediately and then open all the windows in your home. Go outside, and call for help.
