The cold outdoor conditions in Chesapeake, VA, necessitate the regular use of a heating system. If you operate a gas furnace to heat your home, you must pay close attention to any signs it shows of inefficient operation. That way, you can keep your family safe and minimize heating costs. Read on to learn three signs that will warn you your home’s gas furnace isn’t functioning as it should and it requires a repair right away.
Pilot Light is Burning Yellow
This is the most vital sign because it can be a matter of life and death – literally. You should periodically look at the flame in your gas furnace as it fires up. Some models require you to open the system’s service door, and others have a peephole you can look through.
If the flame is blue, there’s nothing to worry about. But if it’s yellow, it’s an indication the gas isn’t burning off completely. As such, your furnace isn’t maximizing heating efficiency. Even worse, it’s not venting the carbon monoxide it’s producing. Schedule a furnace inspection to repair the problem, and make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home.
Gas Furnace is Cycling Often
If your gas furnace is cycling on and off often, something in the system is cutting off the heating cycle. Some problems include a malfunctioning fan motor, dirty heat sensor or clogged filter. Change the filter and see if that helps. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to schedule a heating repair to restore your furnace’s full functionality.
Higher Heating Bills
You shouldn’t notice a sudden spike in your heating bills unless your energy company increases the rate. Compare the heating bills from past years to your current bill. If there’s a dramatic difference, there’s something in your home wasting a lot of energy. Considering how much heating accounts for your home’s energy usage, it could very well be your furnace.
Don’t ignore these issues and deal with dire consequences. Contact Smiley’s Heating & Cooling to schedule a furnace repair right away. We’ll make sure your heater is working safely and providing the level of comfort you desire.
Image provided by Thinkstock
