The leaves and temperatures are beginning to drop, the holidays are around the corner, and you’re probably gearing up to run your furnace for the season. It is around this time of year, especially here in Wisconsin, when the last thing you need is a furnace that quits on you.
However, there are telltale signs you can pay attention to now that can save you from extremely chilly nights and expensive emergency repairs later on. R&W Heating & Cooling has been helping local families spot these issues early since 1960.
Here is what to watch out for:
1. Strange Noises
A furnace in good working order hums along quietly, like white noise in the background. If you are starting to hear banging, rattling, or squealing noises, something is not right. These sounds could mean anything from worn belts to loose parts or airflow issues.
A technician can hear those things from a mile away. A quick tune-up can quiet things down and fix any internal issues before they spiral into something much bigger and much costlier.
2. Uneven Heating
One room is toasty, another feels like a freezer. That kind of disparity usually means your system is struggling to push air where it should; another sign it is in need of maintenance.
During a service call, balancing dampers or checking ductwork can go a long way toward evening out the warmth before the cold sets in for the season.
3. Higher Energy Bills
Has your energy bill climbed even though your thermostat habits haven’t? That’s often a red flag that your furnace is running inefficiently, wasting energy just to keep up.
Dirt buildup, worn parts, or airflow restrictions are all things that force the system to work harder. Regular maintenance can restore its “sweet spot” performance so you’re not ever paying more than you should.
4. Yellow or Flickering Burner Flame
A healthy gas flame should be steady and blue. If you notice yours is yellow or flickering around, it could potentially signal incomplete combustion, something that can be incredibly dangerous and lead to carbon monoxide risks.
Don’t wait if you notice this symptom. Call a professional immediately to make sure your system is safe. R&W Heating & Cooling offers a 24/7 furnace repair service for this exact reason; we are happy to send out a technician any time you notice something serious.
5. Overdue for Service
Even in the absence of obvious problems, a yearly check is one of the most successful ways to prolong the life of your furnace and avoid breakdowns.
Much like a car, a heating system lasts longer and runs much better with regular maintenance. R&W Heating & Cooling offers yearly furnace checks to take care of this for you.
6. Burning Smell that Lingers
It’s pretty normal for a musty or burning odor to appear the first time you fire up your furnace for the season. It has been sitting idle for months, after all.
But if the smell is strong and acrid, that suggests something more serious. Maybe dust buildup on the heat exchanger or an electrical issue. Anything persistent could point to a bigger issue and should be checked out. A technician can find the source and make sure your system is safe to run.
Decades of Keeping Local Homes Winter-Ready
Dating back to 1960, R&W Heating & Cooling has been rooted in helping our southern Wisconsin neighbors, serving homes from Milton to Lake Geneva and Janesville and beyond. We’ve learned a lot over the years about how brutal our winters can get and how much wear HVAC systems take in these temperature swings.
Those new noises, unusual scents and flame colors, or higher energy bills are not things to ignore or wait out. Those are early signs that your system needs attention. Regular furnace service is as important as any type of preventative maintenance; it is what keeps our very long winters manageable.
Schedule your furnace tune-up with R&W Heating & Cooling and head into winter knowing your system is safe and ready. Call us today to set up an appointment.