North Houston Furnace Repair Problems Before Winter

Furnace Maintenance Checklist: Signs Your Heating System Needs North Houston Furnace Repair

Before the cold weather arrives in earnest, a checkup can ensure the furnace is healthy and ready for the heating season. Before you call the HVAC professional, it might be a good idea to collect problematic symptoms to help with the diagnosis.

North Houston Furnace Repair

Do You Hear Unusual Noises?

Over time, families get used to the sound of the heating and cooling cycles; few people can tell how many times the system comes on per hour. When family members begin noticing heating cycles, it is time for some North Houston Furnace Repair professional help.

• Banging noises can be serious! A dirty gas burner can trap natural gas momentarily. When the gas pressure releases the fuel there is a mini explosion, a bang to begin the heating cycle.
• Grinding or screeching noises usually mean one thing—wear in the blower motor. A powerful motor turns a fan that moves an enormous amount of air, and when the bearings lose lubrication, it makes a terrible racket.
• Electrical parts often make a loud humming or buzzing noise before they fail. Consider these noises warning for trouble to come.

Take the Temperature

The thermostat includes a very sensitive thermometer that measures the air temperature in the immediate vicinity of the thermostat. The thermostat setting and the temperature reading should match:

• When the temp drops below the setting, it should trigger a heating cycle.
• When the temp reaches or rises above the setting, it should end the heating cycle (there will be a few seconds delay before shutting off to ensure the residual heat is transferred to the home).

If the temperature is below the setting by a few degrees, and the heating cycle has not been triggered, change the batteries and try it again. If not, call for some HVAC help.

If your investigation uncovers new hot spots–rooms or spaces that are colder than the rest of the home, it should also be addressed by a professional. If the whole house is cold because the furnace is producing insufficient warm air, don’t panic. First, check:

• The air filter. A clogged air filter can restrict the flow of air through it. Change the filter and determine whether it fixes the problem.
• The thermostat. Someone might have bumped the setting to a low setting and forgot to bump it up again.
• The thermostat/heat pump setting. Heat pumps are very efficient since they draw heat from the outdoor air. If a cold snap pushes the outdoor temperature too low (below 32-35⁰) there may be insufficient heat to keep the home warm. Push the setting to AUX or EMG heat and see whether this fixes the problem.

New Smells

Neither the furnace nor the air conditioner should produce a smell since it will be circulating the indoor air. If an odor is coming from the HVAC vent it indicates a serious problem that needs to be addressed. However, one smell should produce a more urgent response.

If you smell gas inside the home, the family and home are in imminent danger. If you smell gas, take these steps immediately.

• Evacuate the family from the home before taking further steps. Do not make a phone call inside.
• Leave one or two doors open.
• When the gas dissipates, enter the home and shut off the gas supply.
• Step outside and call for immediate assistance from an HVAC professional or a gas utility company.

Gas utilities add a chemical additive to natural gas to alert people of its presence. The sulfur smell associated with natural gas is no joke. Natural gas can asphyxiate residents AND it is explosive, so do nothing that might create a spark.

How to Diagnose North Houston Furnace Repair Issues Before Winter: Noises, Temperature Fluctuations, and Odors

As the coldest months of winter approach on the Texas Gulf Coast, it is essential that your furnace is ready for the heating season by checking North Houston Furnace Repair signs of trouble. Be aware of unusual noises like banging or grinding, check your system’s thermostat settings and room-to-room temperature consistency, and address any areas of the house that feel unusually cold. Additionally, if you smell gas, take immediate action by evacuating the home and contacting a furnace repair professional, as this could indicate a dangerous gas leak.

With our four decades of experience as a Furnace Repair contractor, AirPro Houston provides you with the skill and expertise to assist with your HVAC repair questions.

We have several financing options available with great options. Up to 72-month terms with approved credit. Call us today at  281-880-8805 and let us partner with you for all of your North Houston Furnace Repair needs.