The time has come – the frigid temperatures have crept back into our lives, and our homes. That means it’s time to put our furnaces through the test of another Wisconsin fall and winter season that can cause untimely breakdowns.

To help you stay ahead of any potential issues, below are 5 common warning signs that your furnace is malfunctioning. One, or a combination of the warning signs below are indicators that your furnace should either be repaired or replaced ASAP.

1. Your Home Isn’t Heating Properly

We know what you’re saying, “Thanks, Captain Obvious,” but if you notice an uneven heat in your home or find yourself making extra trips to adjust the thermostat, it’s a sign that something is wrong.

Instead of driving up your energy bills by raising the temperature on your thermostat, let an expert (like the many we have here at West Allis Heating & Air Conditioning) take a look to see if there are any serious issues with the furnace. Overworking your furnace when it’s giving you warning signs can be a costly decision.

2. Increased Energy Bills

If you notice an unusually high energy bill during the heating months, it could be a telltale sign that your furnace is losing efficiency. Compare your energy usage to the prior year, and if it’s significantly higher, it will likely be from one of your largest energy sources – the furnace.

3. Irregular Heating Cycles

When working properly, your furnace should run at consistent heating cycles to maintain your desired temperature. If you notice it turning on and off more frequently or it seems to be running constantly, it can be a sign of a malfunction.

Your best bet is to give a professional a call to help find the issue that’s causing your home to be uncomfortable and your energy bills to rise.

4. Odd Sounds

A little bit of noise is acceptable and expected from your furnace but if you start to notice things out of the usual, it could be a warning sign. Examples include; grinding, whistling, screeching, loud bangs, bumps, squealing, etc.

Those sounds are often matched with the other warning signs on this list and should be motivation to have a technician come out.

5. Odd Smells

When using a furnace for the first time of the season, it’s normal for it to have a little smell to it from the idle dust particles. However, a lingering smell for more than a day or so is cause for concern.

For example, a metallic or burning rubber smell for an extended period of time can be a signal that your furnace is not working properly and should be checked out ASAP.

In Conclusion

While there are thousands of different things that can go wrong with a furnace, the 5 warning signs above are some of the most common and easily detectable. We understand it can be a headache to spend time and money on what seems like a small issue but it can save you a lot more headaches, time, and money in the future.

Proper maintenance on your furnace such as changing the filter regularly and having it tuned & cleaned each year can help keep it running longer and more efficiently. Our maintenance program is a fantastic way to keep your equipment in peak shape.

Call the experts at West Allis Heating & Air Conditioning 24/7 at 414-543-2800 for honest, experienced service. There’s no job too big or small that we can’t help with.