Some furnace problems are loud and obvious. It’s like warning bells are going off to alert you to the fact that something is wrong. But other furnace problems are quiet, if not completely silent. These can be a little more difficult to pinpoint although they are equally risky for your furnace. You should also stay alert for unusual furnace noises that persist, which may indicate hidden issues behind the silence.
Quiet does not mean that the problems are small or insignificant. In fact, silent furnace problems can be the worst ones. You can keep reading to learn about some of the quieter problems that a furnace can have and the signs of each one. Then give our team a call to schedule furnace service in Smithsburg, MD, so that our team can get down to the root of the problem and fix it so your furnace can work great for the rest of the winter season.
What are subtle signs that your furnace needs repair?
- Rising energy bills that suggest reduced efficiency
- Inconsistent heating or cool air from vents
- Yellow or flickering pilot light instead of steady blue
- Unusual odors that persist beyond initial startup
1. High Energy Costs
You have a lot of different appliances and technology using energy in your home on a daily basis. But your furnace is one of the largest items in your home, likely consuming the most energy. Increasing energy bills can easily be attributed to changes in furnace operation.
It’s possible that something is going wrong inside of the unit and you don’t even realize it. This problem is causing your furnace to work harder and use more energy to keep your home warm. Anytime you see a sudden spike in energy costs, you should schedule a heating maintenance appointment as a precaution. In some cases, late-season furnace issues arise that quietly drive up your energy bills.
2. Lack of Heat
It’s also a red flag if your furnace is not producing heat. This may seem obvious, but it’s possible that your furnace is still blowing lukewarm air and keeping your house reasonably comfortable on milder days. However, your furnace should blow air that is specifically hot, not lukewarm. If you feel like your furnace is not producing as much heat as it should, it’s definitely worth getting checked out. Otherwise, you could find yourself without any heat at all weeks or months from now. A furnace that blows cold air unexpectedly can often be the first silent signal of a bigger problem.
3. Discolored Pilot Light
If your furnace operates on gas, it has a pilot light. The pilot light should always have a bright blue flame. If the flame is a faded blue, yellow, or orange color, then something is wrong. There may be too much carbon monoxide or dust and dirt buildup in the ignition chamber.
No matter what the problem is, your furnace is not operating efficiently if the flame is any other color besides bright blue. Plus, your furnace could be operating in unsafe conditions that put your family at risk.
4. Bad Odors
There is only one scenario when your furnace may produce an unusual odor. That is when you very first turn it on for the season and it should only last for 15 minutes or so. Aside from that, the air coming from your furnace should never smell bad.
If it does, something is wrong. You may have a gas leak or exhaust air is trapped and channeling into your home instead of outside. No matter what the cause, you should turn your furnace off as a safety precaution until our team can take a look at it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What are the four silent warning signs that a furnace needs repair?
Answer: The article lists these quiet but serious red flags: high energy costs, lack of heat (or weak heat), discolored pilot light, and bad odors coming from the furnace.
Question: Why are rising energy costs a sign of furnace trouble?
Answer: A sudden spike in heating costs often means the furnace is working harder than normal, perhaps because of an internal defect or inefficiency, so it’s drawing more power to maintain warmth.
Question: How do I know if my furnace is not producing enough heat?
Answer: If the furnace is blowing air that’s only lukewarm rather than hot, or the overall warmth seems diminished compared to past performance, that’s a warning sign.
Question: What does a discolored pilot light indicate?
Answer: A healthy pilot light should burn bright blue. If the flame looks yellow, orange, or faded blue, it could signal carbon monoxide presence, dirt buildup, or an ignition issue, all of which are concerning.
Question: What kind of odors should raise concern about a furnace?
Answer: Foul or unusual smells (beyond the initial startup odor) may indicate a gas leak, combustion exhaust entering the home, or trapped exhaust air. If you smell something odd, switch off the system and have it checked immediately.
To schedule your furnace repair service, contact Premier HVAC Services today!